Options vary from pocket 32's to full size 1911's. You don't say where you are from, if you are in MA the options are reduced or more difficult to find.
You need to get more experience with various options. revolver or pistol and what caliber you are comfortable with carrying/shooting. There are also multiple ways to CCW: pocket carry, IWB, OWB, ankle holster.
All these will reduce the possibilities.
I recommend going to a range that rents handguns and try out as many as you can affort. (revolver, sub-compact, compact and full size pistols) Alternately make friends on this forum with shooters that probably own most of what you want to shoot - they are usually more than willing to educate.
You definitely want to shoot before you buy. Depending on your shooting experience, and it doesn't sound like alot, the first choice you will need to make is a revolver or pistol. Once that is decided, find a handgun that fits your hand and you shoot comfortably. Most of the most popular are available in multiple calibers. I recommend a caliber that you can find ammunition for and can affort to shoot often. 9mm and 38 spl are probably the least expensive of the popular rounds (9mm, 38spl, 40SW, 45 ACP, 357mag).
All that being said: I would start by looking at J frame revolvers by S&W (or similar sized guns by Ruger etc), Glocks (eg 27), Khar 9mm or 40s, S&W M&P's or Springfield XDm's