Going to have to go with the M9

Colt M1911

9mm probably best home defense handgun. Ruger makes reliable guns at a fair price by handgun standards just over $400. Ammo is cheap to at $20 for 50 rnds. Second to the 9mm, I'd go with the Colt 1911 in 40 or 45, sweet gun, reliable, plenty of power and nice to look at for $500 or so.

"9mm probably best home defense handgun"

yeah right

Sig sour

sig sauer**

Oh my, I hope I don't run afoul of the resident expert. Recently I had the opportunity to shoot my buddies Sig .40, forgive me for not remembering the model. First time out with a .40 for me. Real nice and surprisingly controllable. I have shot 1911's, a Glock .45, a Sig .380, a Ruger 9mm (p something), Baretta 9mm. Of all the semi auto's I seem to really like that Sig .40. 12 rounds, nice ballistics, and a nice cotrollable shoot. Nice feel in my hand.

But my preferred caliber has always been the .38 bore which I include the .357 in. Shot a S&W Chiefs Special once, owned a Ruger sp-101, owned a Ruger gp-100, shot a Colt Python, and a S&W .38 K frame I believe. But the best one by far was a S&W Model 66 with a 3" barrel I bought from my boss who was hard up for money. That gun shot like a dream, sweet trigger pull, fast re aquisition and nice groups, never a flyer. I kick my own ass once in a while for selling it back to the bastard.

You big bore junkies must be hardcore shooters, that little sp-101 with 110 gr .357 hammered the palm of my hand, I cannot imagine those .50's.