Laugh if you want, but my full size carry 9 is a Smith & Wesson Model 5906. It's not pretty, it's certainly no lightweight, but it holds 14+1 and with two spare magazines I'm carrying nearly a box of ammo. Accuracy is good and I can see the sights. Even in today's market, you could probably buy 2 for $1500 and still have change left over for several boxes of ammo.
It's not an original Hi-Power, but I couldn't see the sights on my original Hi-Power. Nor is it one of the Tupperware pistols so popular today, but the additional weight helps me in recoil recovery. And it fits in the same holster as my first 9, a Smith & Wesson Model 39-2, although I did have to get a different magazine holder for the 5906's double stack magazines.
I'm sure there are better choices, especially given your rather generous budget, but this is the one that's worked for me for a good long time.
