I'm going to break this down somewhat...
Small caliber = .380 ACP and below
Defensive Caliber = 9mm and up
Big Bore = 44 and up
Best cheap small caliber - Bersa Thunder .380 or Kel-Tec P-3AT
Best not cheap small caliber - Browning BDA
Best cheap defensive caliber - Ruger "P" series
Best not cheap defensive caliber - The world may never know
Best "cheap" 1911 - STI or Springfield
Best mid range 1911 - Para Ordnance
Best not cheap 1911 - STI or Les Baer
Best cheap rimfire revolver SA - used Ruger Single Six
Best rimfire revolver SA - Ruger Single Six
Best rimfire revolver DA - S&W K-22
Best cheap rimfire semi-auto - S&W 22A or Browning Buckmark Camper
Best mid range rimfire semi-auto - Browning Buckmark or Ruger Mark II or III
Best not cheap rimfire semi-auto - S&W Model 41
Best cheap centrfire revolver SA - used Ruger Blackhawk
Best mid range centerfire revolver SA - Ruger Blackhawk
Best not cheap centerfire revolver SA - Freedom Arms
Best cheap centerfire revolver DA - used Ruger Security/Service/Speed Six or S&W Model 19
Best mid range centerfire revolver DA - The world may never know
Best snub - Ruger SP101 or S&W 340PD (depending on if you like them light or heavy)
Best big bore DA - Ruger Redhawk
Small caliber = .380 ACP and below
Defensive Caliber = 9mm and up
Big Bore = 44 and up
Best cheap small caliber - Bersa Thunder .380 or Kel-Tec P-3AT
Best not cheap small caliber - Browning BDA
Best cheap defensive caliber - Ruger "P" series
Best not cheap defensive caliber - The world may never know
Best "cheap" 1911 - STI or Springfield
Best mid range 1911 - Para Ordnance
Best not cheap 1911 - STI or Les Baer
Best cheap rimfire revolver SA - used Ruger Single Six
Best rimfire revolver SA - Ruger Single Six
Best rimfire revolver DA - S&W K-22
Best cheap rimfire semi-auto - S&W 22A or Browning Buckmark Camper
Best mid range rimfire semi-auto - Browning Buckmark or Ruger Mark II or III
Best not cheap rimfire semi-auto - S&W Model 41
Best cheap centrfire revolver SA - used Ruger Blackhawk
Best mid range centerfire revolver SA - Ruger Blackhawk
Best not cheap centerfire revolver SA - Freedom Arms
Best cheap centerfire revolver DA - used Ruger Security/Service/Speed Six or S&W Model 19
Best mid range centerfire revolver DA - The world may never know
Best snub - Ruger SP101 or S&W 340PD (depending on if you like them light or heavy)
Best big bore DA - Ruger Redhawk