Sorry to not get back to you. As a general rule of thumb, you will get more and better answers if you start a new thread for your question. It's easy for people to welcome you and then ignore the thread in the new posts page...or just forget you had a question.
Fallout wrote:My main purpose is for defense, but due to I hope to not use it in that case or situation my second and probably most used purpose would be for fun/target shooting.
I plan to take the concealed carry class to carry with me later but I'm not in a rush, so it doesn't HAVE to be small but then again I don't really want a Smith and Wesson 44 mag.
That's a fairly standard answer. There is plenty of overlap, but here are a couple of things you should consider.
1. Cost. The firearm is just the start for CC. You need holster(s), a CC belt is a good idea as they are more robust and designed to carry the weight, and lots of ammo. With ammo prices on the rise (thanks inflation) its something to consider. Even plain old 9mm is $200-$250/1k and things like .45 are $300-$350/1k. Figure an average range session is 100-200 rounds and you want to build proficiency. IMHO, if you aren't going at least once a month you can't do that, especially if you are new. If you go twice a month and shoot an average of 300 rounds between both trips, that's 3,600 rounds/year which in 9mm would cost you at least $750 and .45 would cost $1100 for decent stuff. It adds up very quickly.
2. Recoil. You will have to train yourself to not flinch; its a natural reaction. A 9mm is much easier to learn on than a .45 IMHO. Remember you have to hit your threat to stop it and being able to handle the recoil during rapid fire is important. Most new shooters are better served with a moderate recoiling gun (.38Special/9mm) than say a heavier one (.357Mag/.45/.40/etc.).
3. Size. Full size handguns feel nice, but they are harder to conceal. It certainly can be done and I have done a full size 1911, but it definitely is harder than say a compact or subcompact. Barrel tends to be less difficult than the grip, but YMMV.
4. Trigger. Generally there is double action only (DAO), single action only (SAO), and double action/single action (DA/SA). The "only" is often dropped, but its important to understand that's how it works. E.g. a 1911 is often said to be SA, but it only can work as a single action...if you attempt to fire it like a DA pistol it will not work. The double/single distinction is based on what work the (traditionally) hammer or striker has to do in order to function. If the trigger just drops the hammer/striker than it is a single action. If the trigger must cock the hammer/striker before dropping it than it is a double action. Its possible to combine both into one trigger type which is what DA/SA does.
SA semis should always have a safety and carrying cocked and locked is standard practice. E.g. 1911. DA usually don't have a safety, but there are exceptions. The trigger pull is long and heavy so accuracy is harder to achieve. However, their is something to be said for just pointing and shooting (no extra steps or controls). DA/SA is neat because you get the heavy DA trigger pull for the first shot and a lighter SA trigger pull for the second (the slide cocks the hammer after each round for you). However, it can take more practice/skill to accomplish as the trigger reset is different between the two...safeties vary widely in their existence and exact function.
5. Weight. If you aren't going to carry it, weight isn't an issue. However, carry a peice all day and it can get very heavy. Definite difference between a "plastic" gun and a steel gun. As I said, a good CC belts helps tremendously.
As for the exact handguns you mentioned.
1. SIG P226. A very good gun (although the internals are of lower quality than they have been in the past IMHO, but not a huge deal). The P229 is more popular for CC and even the VA State Police don't bother carrying the full size 226. DA/SA takes a bit more to learn and the relatively high bore axis makes some people perceive their recoil as very flippant. The DAO models are fairly popular as they are easier to master the trigger control.
2. Glock 17. Very popular with LE, but the G19 and G26 are generally preferred for CC for their size. Glock is a good gun and will work with no much fuss. The G17 can be concealed, but you have to be a big guy or it gets hard. I find that striker fired guns hang up on clothing much less than hammer based guns, but YMMV. All the plastic guns tend to be more snappy on recoil than their heavier metal counterparts.
3. Beretta 92. An interesting gun to look at, but not the most popular choice for CC. The SIG/Glocks are definitely preferred IMO and observation. I like a smoothly formed gun so it doesn't snag, but that also makes it boring to look at. The Beretta's a bit to curvy. It's been a while since I shot one because I don't own one; of the guns you've listed it's my least favorite. It's a decent gun, but I'm just not a big fan.
4. 1911. A great combat handgun, but one which generally takes much more practice to master IMO. The all steel construction feels great in the hand, but for CC you hopefully spend all of your time carrying it in the holster where that steel can be very uncomfortable without a good belt. You definitely feel the extra weight of a 1911 compared to a Glock (or similar). The low bore axis helps with recoil, but if you get it in .45 its still a good deal more than a 9mm. I find it easier to conceal several spare single stack mags than double stack, but then again I need too in order to match the ammo capacity of a double stack.
I usually carry a G32/33 (use to be a G19/26) or a full size 1911 in .45ACP. I'm much more proficient with the Glocks than I am with the 1911, but either is fine. I generally recommend a 9mm for a first handgun as the money saved in ammo will virtually buy you your next firearm (if you practice a lot) or just allow for more practice. The gun is only one part of a good CC setup. You're looking at good quality firearms which functionally will perform well. You can more or less choose any of them and they will work as advertised. However, some features lend themselves to CC better.
IMHO, the best all around first CC handgun is the G19 or the G26 if you want smaller. It's reliable; it's cheaper than the others your looking at; it's ugly, but flat and smooth so nothing snags; it's trigger isn't the best (by far), but its reasonable good; it's not very heavy so you'll actually carry it, and 9mm is a great all around round with the right ammo. There are others that are very similar and also very good such as the Springfield XDs, Ruger Ps, S&W M&Ps, etc. Each will prefer his own.
*Kidding*
to the forum 
I'm guessing by your name and number of posts that you are wise and knowledgeable with weapons. I'm going to a gun show this weekend and wondering if you can recommend some pistols for a first time owner to keep an eye out for, or may want to pick up and man handle? 
