New everday-carry pistol: don't laugh!
I've been carrying a compact 1911 since getting licensed.
Bought a Ruger 9e. Got it new in the box from a guy. Paid $300 cash and got the gun plus 3 mags. I bought it because I'd never had a poly framed, double stack, striker fired gun. I figured if I didn't like it, I could get my money out of it or trade it off. But I took it to the range and --
Yeah! Points not unlike a 1911. Feels good in the hand. Easy to operate and shoot. Carries 17+1. I don't have to baby it like my pretty 1911s; if it gets dinged or gets a spot of rust, who cares? It fed & fired all kinds of ammo, cast lead reloads, various bigmouth hollowpoints.
Never thought I'd pack a $300 or so gun, but why not, if it works!