if you have friends who shoot, go see if you can go to the range and try what they have and see what you like. I'm a HUGE fan of the 1911 but shooting a lot of .45 will burn up your cigar budget. I also like glock and m&p but what I like you may hate. See if any local ranges rent guns to try.
the most important part of your rig, for keeping it concealed, will be the holster. check out
http://atomicdogholsters.com/ and
http://invictuskydex.com/ i use invictus and i know atomic dog and have seen/used his gear at the range. both are wonderful holsters.
now I'm going to bow out before this turns into a fluster cluck