I've ran the gauntlet on this subject...
I am a person that is hard to please, so I used to buy, sell, and trade alot...here's what I've learned:
1) Rugers; several p89's and currently a p95; not the prettiest or the most refined; rugged, reliable, combat accurate, sounds a little loose but works fine, ergonomics are descent, inexpensive and gets the job done ($250 used to @$400 new)
2) CZs; several 75b's and a 75bd; an overlooked gem; awesome quality, rugged, combat accurate, can be fussy with shorter hollowpoint loads, great ergonomics, vastly used throughout the world in its original and clone copy forms ($250 used to @$400 new)
3) Glocks; several 17's and 19's; the current polymer favorite in the U.S.; rugged, reliable, combat accurate, ergonomics take some getting used to due to grip angle, constant trigger, vastly used the world over and not going away anytime soon ($350 used to @$600 new)
4) Berettas; several 92's; my favorite semiauto platform; awesome quality, rugged, reliable, combat accurate, good ergonomics, vastly used throughout the world in its original and licensed copy forms ($375 hard used to $650 new)
5) Walther p-1; this is the mechanism and design that the Beretta 92 is based on; rugged, combat accurate, fussy with shorter hollowpoint loads, a bit outdated but a solid design and a fun shooter ($250-350 used surplus)
6) Sig Sauer; a p239; I had problems with the grip being too small and the magazines not holding the slide open when empty and this is very rare given the high quality, ruggedness, reliability, and combat accuracy that the majority of Sigs offer; they are very expensive and have a good track record ($450 hard used to over $800 new)
7) Keltec P-11; a diamond in the rough; early models were plagued but quality control is much better; a defensive pistol to carry alot and shoot enough to stay good with it; it does the job when needed; reliable, combat accurate, not the greatest comfort level, not designed for extended range use ($150 used to $275 new)
I am very fond of the Beretta; it is not cheap; the Taurus version sacrifices some fit and finish but offers a good safety/decocker system that is easy to manipulate; I rather have the Beretta;
I currently own a Ruger due to cost (I had a job loss and had to sell off the collection; I am slowly rebuilding it and money is tight); a Ruger p89 was my first 9mm semiauto and I enjoyed it alot; out of the brands and models that I have owned, my favorites are Beretta 92, Ruger p89, and the Ruger p95;
I listed alot because I have bought alot; the "repeat" winner is the Beretta followed by Ruger; these work for me but might not be for you;