Consider this, do you intend on carrying IWB (inside waist band) or OWB (outside waist band)? I personally recommend a Glock 19 as it's light weight given the polymer construction, relatively low imprint, and comfortable enough to wear for all seasons especially during the hot summer months. There are other options such as the baby Glock 26 or the Smith and Wesson BG380 for deep concealment or pocket carry. Its literally the size of your wallet. Hope this helps!

Hey Ned welcome to the community! Shooting can be done individually or as a sport, whether you want to continually challenge yourself or shoot competitively with others, it's fun and definitely a great way to get outside and do something different.