Eric,
I have a Kel-Tec 9mm with night sights, belt clip, hogue grip, finger extension, polished feed ramp, wide trigger, trigger job, etc... and I carry it a lot even though I like a bigger round. I got it used like it is for $200.00 at a gun show with no papers, gotta love that!
Also another great carry gun is the Witness P-45. It is compact, carries 8+1 or 10+1 depending on the mag you pic and is Italian made, right down the road from HK and Beretta. In my opinion it is a great gun. I have fired about 1500 rounds out of mine without a problem. The best thing about it is they are not that expensive.
Or you can go with an Interarms Star .45. Had one in .40 cal. that was nickel but traded it because the recoil sucked! The same reason that Kel-Tec has taken the .40 off their list, kicks like a son of a gun! Way to much round for such a little gun!
Anyway, that is my two cents. I would stay away from Taurus Autos. They make very good quality revolvers. I have several. They make a blue .38 with rosewood grips, ported, and gold trim for about $280.00. I shot a squirrel at about 30 yards with mine. I love a Taurus Revolver.
Joe