[RC one]

my S&W M&P 340 has never failed to function. The recoil is violent (worse than my .500 magnum) but this isn't a target pistol that you take to the range for a day of enjoyable family fun. Accuracy? I have CT laser sites on it and tritium night sites to boot. Most engagements occur within 15 meters and usually much less and in poorly lit conditions so I guarantee I'll hit the target five out of five times and probably without ever even having pulled the thing out of my jacket pocket (try that trick with a semi-auto). There is no finer concealed carry pistol imo.

[Osage Orange]

Most engagements occur within 15 meters

Most engagements I've known occur within less than 2 inches.....

[Samogon]

I am not a die-hard fan of semiautos and see the advantages of a revolver. My decision on getting one or another would be based on the balance of factors, which skew, IMO, towards a semi. In a perfect world, I would carry a semi AND a light snubby as a backup. But, I would steer clear from magnums: they don't provide much of an advantage over 38+P from 2” barrel to compensate for a vicious recoil, strain on the gun and added weight and bulk of a magnum setup.