Which is the best semi-auto 9mm handgun?

I recently asked which would be a better purchase Sig or Beretta, the answer's were informative, thank you. Although there were other guns mentioned so it got me to thinking. What is the most consistent, well balanced, and fairly priced 9mm, semi-auto handgun, with a 4 in. barrel? I have a Taurus PT 140 which is not really that grate for target practice; stiff trigger, short barrel.