For a personal defensive sidearm, we highly recommend the Beretta 92FS in 9mm.  It functions excellently under many different conditions, easy to disassemble and reassemble for field-stripping and routine maintenance. This handgun performs very well, and comes with two 15 round magazines.

 

From Beretta's manual, "The 92FS semiautomatic pistol is primarily designed as a personal defensive sidearm for military and police use.  Due to its highly advanced safety features and its excellent performance in competitive testings, it has become the choice of military and police forces throughout the world....excellent capability to function under adverse conditions..."

I first fired this weapon during the range portion of a handgun class, and was immediately taken with it. It was my brother-in-law's gun and he had let me borrow it.  Yes, it is a heavy handgun, but that helps keep down recoil.  It feels comfortable in your hand, and has an ambedextrious safety for us left-handers. Smooth firing, ease of sight alignment, it performed flawlessly without a glitch or jam or misfeed.  Typically, a "wheel gun" man, this firearm has changed my mind.  I have since sold my revolver and purchased a 92FS, and I have not been disappointed!!