I think that you answered your own question in your orig. post, except you got the second one slightly wrong IMHO.
While I Love and carry the Colt New Agent in .45 ACP, I think the Hi-Power C Series (1977) & eariler are a much better choice if your staying with 9mm, because of their superior workmanship & finish over the later ones. Also, you should be able to get an Excellent (read mint) example of one of these at a gun show for much less than your target price. (Better gun at a lesser price, what's not to like about that) The later Hi-Powers are not an improvement, just cheaper to manufacture.

As I said, The Colt New Agent in .45 ACP is the one that I carry, but if I were to carry a 9mm, It would be one of the six (all eariler) Hi-Power Brownings that I own. I think of 'The Master', John M. Browning, everytime I shoot one of them. Great feeling that, of holding history in your hand. (They all shoot Great BTY)




Art