layaway & financing
your friends in the gun world.
you are on a limited budget but ideally want a SD handgun? i say ideally because you can't afford a utensil for every course, you are in spork territory.
go to some LGS, feel some nicey things, find a range with rental, rent the one/s you liked. pop a few off and then with whatever is left, find the best price and plop some cash down on payments.
in the end you will have a purchase you know pretty certain you are satisfied with and will do the job.
this is the method i adopted after getting my first gun and being less than pleased.
also don't fear using FFL's and online companies, it's not complicated.

trade stuff for ammo or buy small boxes if you have to.
i wont argue caliber, .22 kills, 9mm kills, both fail to do it as well.
i've had both go click when squeezed, .22 more so.
heritage wasn't exactly designed for concealment, might be a wonky draw.
if you just want a plinker, they're cool. if a dog attacks or a two legged animal, sure it'll put holes in them.