I carry a S&W 637 38sp. in front pocket in a pocket holster, or a S&W MP9c in 9mm if on belt.
If you're not able to go to a range and try out various guns, see if the shop will allow you to dry fire the ones your interested in. My mother got her permit and had been waiting on a Walther she'd shot and ordered and got sick of waiting and grabbed a Ruger 380. She didn't dry fire and didn't like the trigger once she got to the range. Got her through until the Walther arrived though.
No matter what you carry, practice and then buy defense ammo and make sure it hits where you want and functions properly.
