+1 for the G19, I just took my new on to the range for the first time.
+2 for trying different guns. I didn't take the NRA course, although maybe I would have if I knew about one in the immediate past, which would have been the immediate future back when I was shopping. The advice I got was to go to a range and rent some guns, which I did. Maybe the NRA course would have more to choose from, as posted above, so maybe that's a great idea. I was looking for top performing full or compact polymer guns, while I didn't get to try everything I wanted to, I tried the (all 9MM) S&W SVE Sigma, S&W M&P full size, XD9, Glock 19, Glock 26, and held several other guns, wish I could have shot the S&W M&P Compact...
Anyway, as described above, I bought the Glock. I was more accurate with it, for whatever reason. After shooting my new one, I think the trigger on the used/demo one must have been broken in, because it was a little harder for me to shoot my new one as well as I did the demo, but I'm sure I'll work that out. I like the amount of stuff that's made for the Glocks, I like my 31rd magazines
and I liked running my first couple hundred roungs of practice and defense ammo w/out one single issue
BLAM BLAM BLAM!!!!
Prices, $459 standard Fixed Sites online, plus shipping and local FFL, if you order online, have your FFL picked out already, so you can jump on a deal when you see one, get a copy of his certificate to fax to whoever you buy it from, plus lining that up in advance you'll know what the FFL charges for the transfer, I got mine for $20, as opposed to $35-$60 at some places around here. Buying locally, it might be hard to get NIB FS for $459, maybe $479 + tax. Add Night Sights and cost goes up $50-$80 probably, depending where you get it. Last I heard, CDNNinvestments.com may still have some used one w/ NS and 1 mag for $399+shipping/FFL.
I got the Homeland Defender pkg that comes with (4) 15 rd mags, Trijicon NS, Glock Tac Light, Extended Slide and Mag Releases - NIB from ImpactGuns for $603 + Shipping / FFL - $640, then I bought (2) 31 rd mags from them too for $25 each. Details & pics here if interested:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=258255
Good luck either way.
Karz