S&W,Beretta,Sig, CZ, .......... are my first 4 choices since; 1990 (6906,3913),1988 (92F Compact),1989( W. Ger. 220) and 2014 (75B and Kadet .22lr) ..

Came to CZs late because I'd already had several other autos. If I was starting from scratch........today, with new guns.....CZ might be at the top of the list. They make both full size and compacts.

Beretta's get a bad rap as a " too big 9mm"...... but they do make a nice Compact (13+1) and Centurion (15,17 or 18+1).
A favorite of mine is the Centurion; w/ a full size grip frame mated with a Compact 4.2" barrel and slide...... newer guns have a radiused backstrap and you can get ultra-thin G-10 grips....... G-model or G-kit ($50) make the safety decocker only....... 18rd Mec-gar flush fit magazines... ( for the ultimate tricked out Centurion check out Wilson Combat)

3rd gen Smiths are hard to beat........ 915,6906/04 3913/14s 5906

Sig I like the older P-series.... 220 (.45), 245 (Compact .45) and 229