Any weapon you buy won’t be of much use if you are not comfortable with it. An effectively used .22 can be far more practical and effective than a .44 AutoMag, depending on the person.
There is a long list of things to consider when trying to find what is the right pistol for you. Here are some I think are important.
1) A gun does not make you a superman, it does not guarantee that you will “win” or gives you “control” over all situations, and if you think it is anything more special than any other tool, it may actually be a problem for you when you might need it. The situation is always bigger than the tool.
2) A gun is not appropriate for all situations, and if it isn’t, it fills up a hand that you might need for something else. This is why police really like Tasers, because they can be used in the huge gray area between doing nothing and shooting someone.
3) A “one shot quick kill” is the exception, not the rule. Do not think of firing a bullet as ending a situation, but beginning a situation. You can miss, or just graze them. They might advance on you if hit, or retreat. Trying to get away, they might go into another room deeper in your home, or dash outside. They might be clear headed or drunk or drugged up or insane. If they are armed, they might shoot back or throw things. As soon as they see you, they might put their hands up.
So you have to be mentally prepared for just about anything. Often, anything that does not involve shooting or shooting any more.
4) For heaven’s sake, identify your target. This may not be easy, as it may be dark and you don’t have your night vision. You may be sluggish from sleep or drink, yourself.
5) Make sure your safety is off or on, as is appropriate.
http://stevespages.com/page8f45acp.html To help you with bullet selection....posted to all on the thread
Great post. I was walking down a city street at night with my lady and two goblins came fast out of a dark doorway in front and to the right of us. One walked to the side the lady was on (the "wrong side " , the street side.) the other literally walked his stomach into the barrel of the .38 snubby I had in my spring jacket pocket with my hand on it off the trigger. He did a spin move and as he and his partner walked away, he said "you idiot, that was a cop. (I'm not, just LCTF)
I looked back on it and had to have a re-think since I did everything wrong except have the equipment to project power. I've had other situations where I saw things coming and was able to avoid them completely. Your post is good, because the most important thing is situational awareness and the least is the hitting power of your equipment. The happening can be on you before you can even register it.