Big E, there are enough threads about your desire for a single-stack 9mm already, I'll just give you the executive summary:
-1- get what fits your hand, you can learn this at the rental range or through friend/family collections
-2- get what you can afford to actually practice with once in a while
-3- get what you can conceal well ALL THE TIME
-4- get a gun with the features you want (manual safety, rail, second-strike, DAO, SA, DA-SA, tactical nukes, knives, sharp sticks, whatever)
Now, here's a short list of slim 9mm makers, I'm sure I'll miss a few, someone else can add what I forgot:
Kel-Tec PF9 and PF11 -(may not be on the CA market)
Kahr (many models)
Walther (I am continually amazed at how much I like shooting my PPS)
Taurus (PT709, wants to be a Kahr or Walther PPS when it grows up)
H&K (P7) (may be over-budget due to rarity)
Hi-Point (not suitable for CC, may not be suitable for viewing or handling)
And here's the standard boilerplate advice to people new to CC:
Do not try to go cheap on your belt or holster.
You need a good holster for anything bigger than an LCP/p3at, the stuff on the wall collecting dust at the LGS generally won't do for daily carry. Once you pick a pistol, order a holster ASAP, the good ones take a while to show up. Expect to spend at least $70 on a holster, possibly more. Choose for yourself if you want leather, kydex, or a hybrid of the two, but do not get a generic fabric/neoprene holster unless you want to be replacing it frequently. If you like the leather/kydex designs, I can vouch for the CrossBreed Supertuck, if I'm wearing pants on a day off, that's what I have on, generally along with a mag carrier to balance things out.
You need a heavy-duty belt, it needs to be stiff and comfortable when tight. The belts at Wal-Mart don't do the job, the belts at Sears don't either. Some belts at a work-wear shop might, and some Amish-made ones can ... but a specifically-designed gunbelt will look best and carry best (not that looks matter if you carry IWB, your beltline should never be seen again unless you get a tuckable model). For leather, BeltMan.net seems to be the standard, I like mine and wear it most often.