You have been shooting for 9 years, and handguns, to boot. I usually recommend a .22 for new handgun shooters. It allows developing the habits of good gun handling, teaches good sight picture and gets you on the range. All good things for the newbie.
Despite your not being a newbie, getting on the range with a decent target-grade 22 rimfire will allow you to see other shooters with a variety of different handguns (some of which you may not have seen or had extensive experience with).
Ammo for the 22 is relatively cheap. Most shooters are very happy to show off their "pride and joy" 's (and even to let you shoot a few rounds through their guns; there is nothing but showing a young man how proud you are of your guns).
You asked our advice on what gun to get. Most of our advice is pertinent to our preferences and experiences, not yours. I suggest a way to get the sampling to absorb the experience to decide for yourself what is best for you.
My experience: I started with a .357 Magnum Dan Wesson ($150) and an RCBS reloading press (Loading my own was the only way I could afford to shoot, on my Air Force pay.) in 1975. I can't say that I would have done a .22 rimfire myself, even knowing what I know now, as I didn't shoot at a range, but just went out into the Arizona desert. But with age comes wisdom. I very likely would have dug up another $100 (remember, 1975) and gotten a Ruger Mark II or Browning Buckmark in addition to the Dan Wesson.
I do have an equal fondness of "wheelies" as I do for "bottom feeders", so consider myself a fair advisor for you.
Remember, even though you (obviously) like semi-autos, revolvers are kinder to their brass (for reloading, which I am obviously urging you to consider) and revolvers are capable of a lot more power than autoloaders (shameless promotional). I do like my 1911s and my Taurus 99 and 92.
The obvious question to ask is, "What do you want to do with your sidearm?". You mentioned hunting and target shooting. 22 LR is good for hunting small game (rabbits and such, just meal sized-a head shot on a grouse destroys very little meat) and 38 special does well, too. 9mm guns are not known for their accuracy. You mentioned your preference for 45 ACP. The 45 ACP is not known for good results on medium sized game, nor for good accuracy (though supreme accuracy can be had in many reasonably priced guns). The 45 ACP was intended from its inception as a social round (shooting people). Hunting was never in its sights. The 45 Colt, likewise, but it has adapted to be a fine hunting round. The 44 Magnum is very closeto the 45 Colt, too (some people say better, others say not better, but all agree the contest is close.)
If you are open to a revolver, the Ruger Blackhawk 45 Colt/45 ACP convertible is a fine choice. The economy of the 45ACP, the power of 45 Colt, the accuracy of a fixed barrel revolver and the unique character of the single action revolver.
38 Special and .357 magnum revolvers abound on the used market and many are of exceptional accuracy.
I hope my ramblings help.
Lost Sheep
