I just purchased my first handgun and I went with a Glock 23 chambered in .40 S&W. Damn reliable, and one of the most safe and simple guns too fire. The safety built into the trigger is an awesome feature!!!
Bought it from a friend who was the second owner. appeared to have somewhere between 5-10k through it. Put a new recoil spring and hammer spring in, and has been a flawless gun since. Also, very, very accurate.
Second gen S&W Model 469...blued, double stack mags, had a crap trigger but I liked it and didnt know any better when I was 21...wish i still had it...
Ruger Super Single Six Convertible. Got it when I turned 21 to match the first rifle I ever owned, which I got at 16: a Ruger 10/22. Only this time I bought it without my dad having to sign for me! And I still have them both. The 10/22 needs a barrel, tho, or at least that's the story I'm tellin!
S&W Sigma 9mm. Not impressed. "Traded" it to my old man for a Series 70 1911 Government. I say "traded" because it was in no way an even trade and was basically a gift.