>>8772431My suggestion is you get a price range for what you're willing to spend (don't forget to include your transfer/background/dealer fees), and then do a little searching and learning on types of pistols.
Look through trigger types and learn what they are/mean, i.e. DA, SA, DA/SA, striker, etc.
Learn a little about actions, and get a basic idea of what sounds best to you. Once you have a general idea of what you want, look into specific models and do some research, find some reviews, etc.
If at all possible, go to a range and rent a few to try out, figure out what caliber you like, etc.
My suggestion is Glock. They're simple, readily available, cheap, reliable, and there's a massive after market for parts, upgrades, etc.