I actually prefer the P225 over many of the P229 models as the slide serrations and slide itself are larger and far easier to manipulate with gloves on, or under stress when fine motor skills begin to degrade somewhat. Outside of the USA the Sig P220 in 9mm is pretty popular as well, it's a single stack 9 round capacity variant of the P220/.45, and is more narrow and lighter than the 45 common variant, yet still has the (IMO) better grip angle than the P226 that the 220 has. It also qualifies as importable both in Aus and Canada due to having a barrel length that is over 106 for Canada, and fits the 100mm/250mm overall for Australia. Another good pistol as well. There are many, many good options to begin with, but like the OP said, and I mentioned before, the 1911 in 9mm is a great way to start, and is one of my favorite pistol to plink on the range with as well.
O/T below.
I too shot 38 super back in the 90's and very early 2000's, I had a couple Caspian race guns that I used for competing up here. Lots of flash and noise to get those compensators working, it's always strange for new shooters when they shoot them, seeing such huge flashes and unreal concussive noise, yet very, very little muzzle flip and recoil due to the comps functioning as they should.
I picked up a couple 10mm pistols back in the day as well, just things I picked up out of interest in the caliber and that were good deals that came by the shop/range I worked at as a kid and while in school. 1006 Smith and a Delta Elite Colt in 10mm. I've never shot them all that much, but 10mm was a great semi auto round.
Regarding 357 Sig - If you like 1911's, Sig Sauer offers various 1911's chambered in 357 Sig now. It's a great platform for it, the bottle nose rounds have no trouble with feedramp stoppages with the 1911 design, and all the advantages of the round are seen with the 5" or 127mm barrel giving a little bit more velocity over most semi auto pistols in the low or sub 100mm range. The round is already very quick obviously, and the bonus from the extra 10% length over many comparable pistols is notable. 9 round mags are standard, with 10's being around and reliable, giving a slim framed 1911 an 11 round capacity with 357 Sig. The Commander length 357 1911's are great IMO for CCW, flat and narrow in all the right places with a good holster, and still with the 11 rnd cap.