Hey, I recommend people start off with the 9mm, personally. The Browning High Power in 9mm is still the pistol I’m best with. 5 rounds at 7 yards, even with the sights covered, I still produce a group you can cover with the BHP’s magazine. With the sights, you can almost cover the group with the magazine’s floorplate. I recommend the BHP a lot; I also took a lot of flak for not having “enough” pistol. Well, guess what, I’m in your camp wherein eighteen 9mm hits are still better than 8 misses with a .45.
Also, individual weapon design makes a difference. For example, the 1911 has more felt recoil than a Glock 30 even though they are in the same caliber. Someone should try out a bunch of weapons at a local range before settling in to a model and caliber, IMHO. Buy what you can hit best with, regardless of caliber (so long as it’s 9mm or better).
For those who like the High Power but would like to move up to a larger caliber, I recommend the Springfield XD45. It points like a BHP and despite the larger round size carries the same number of rounds as a BHP does.
Have either of you any experience with the .40cal HiPower? I'm a huge fan of the 9mm version, but never had a chance to try the .40.