9 mm gun, what to get?

Been reading this and would have to say that the folks who advise taking classes, going to the range and renting a weapon, and practice, practice, practice are on target. Considering that your situation dictates that you cannot own a weapon right now may be to your advantage. This gives you the time to learn good habits. Time to learn proper safety. Time to discover what you really like and dislike in a weapon. Remember that a handgun is just a tool and that any tool is useless if you don't know how to use it properly.

I learned on a 1911 almost thirty years ago. It would take me a while to tear it down and reassemble it after my last time twenty years ago, but I guarantee that I can still pick one up and empty a clip center mass because of training and practice. (And I probably still have the same habits, both good and bad).