When I first got out of the army, my first gun was a Taurus T-92. I liked it at the time, but I have since grown far away from the Beretta/Taurus. Seriously I hate them now when I have to shoot them.
I got a 1911, it was an Auto-Ordnance, and it was terrible. I shot some nicer 1911s, but I couldn't talk myself into shelling out for anything other than a used base model. (The base models then weren't as good as say, Norincos are now.) I carried a Glock .40 for years, and it wasn't bad, I had a Sigma, a Sig, a Hi-Power .40, etc before I tried a 1911 again. I realized that a decent 1911 has the feel and trigger that works best for me. I can shoot just about anything pretty well, but I don't ever see myself switching from a 1911.
What I think really means less than squat to your friend. I won't be shooting to save his life. HE will. He might like something now, and as his skill and experience evolves, he might change his mind later. The only way to know is to try as many different guns as possible.