If I'm reading your post right, I think what you're asking for, are guns that aren't the usually named suspects.
For concealed carry, I like my Kahr P9. As an alternative; well, I don't currently have a mid-sized one, but I could go slightly smaller to my Kel-Tec PF9 and feel pretty well-armed, I actually like the trigger pull and sights on it.
As a woods-walking/ home defense gun, I really like my full-size aluminum frame Taurus 1911AL (no longer made), but I've grown to really like my Ruger SR9 pretty well too. Almost bought a S&W M&P instead, and I believe I could like it just as well or maybe better.
