Depends what suits you best. Automatic or Revolver?
You should choose a caliber before choosing a gun, because the projectile is the purpose of the exercise, and more important than the launcher. In a defensive handgun the likelihood of stopping a human or animal attack is generally the overiding concern. The shooter has to be able to control recoil for accurate rapid fire at what might be multiple threats or a single highly determined one. This is why we all don't carry 44 magnums. Another concern is a readily consistant supply of available ammo. A smaller bore gun thats only effective with two differant types of ammo can be a liability if the ammo supply dries up. One advantage of a 45. is that just about any round you stuff in it is going to hit with some authority.
I recommend the following calibers as they are considered "Man Stoppers". The old addage that the faster the bullet (like a 9mm) will stop someone dead in their tracks is wrong. A "man stopper" round has an fps (feet per second in which the bullet travels) of 750 to 1250 fps. The round will still travel at high velocity but will mushroom and not fragment. This mushroom impacts the target and will not, or should not exit the target or assailant. The psi (pounds per square inch) ratio is so great the round should knock the assailant on his bum and force him away from you.
Automatic for women
40. s&w, caliber - Taurus compact handgun.
Automatic for men
40 s&w, or 45 ACP caliber - Taurus or Kimber compact handgun
Revolver for women
38+P , caliber - S&W Ladysmith or Taurus
Revolver for men
38+P, 357,, or 45. caliber - S&W, Kimber or Taurus
Extreme "Man Stoppers", used mostly for intimidation.
357. magnum - Bulldog revolver
40. caliber - S&W or Taurus compact (for concealed carry)
44. magnum - Bulldog revolver
45. ACP - Kimber compact (best for concealed carry)
50. caliber AE - Desert Eagle Automatic (as seen in the Matrix-Smith)
454. magnum - Taurus revolver
500 magnum - Smith and Wesson (largest caliber handgun in the world and probably the most destructive. There is a rumor that the Russians invented a higher caliber but I am unaware of its specs.)
The best recommendation I can make for the gentlemen is an automatic Kimber compact, it is custom fitted at the dealer for you and costs about 1500 to 2000 dollars US. It conceals nicely under a shoulder strap or concealed holster.
For the ladys I recommend a revolver, a 38+P snub nosed handgun is light and very effective and conceals nicely in a purse or strapped to your thigh, and costs between 500 to 1000 dollars US. Revolvers are best for close quarter combat and are far more accurate than automatics.
Remember, it is very important that the weight, balance and recoil of the gun feels like an extention of your hand. Lighter titanium guns are great for lightweight concealed carry but will have greater recoil.
If you use the sights...your doing it wrong. You should not have to use the sights of the gun when firing it, simply point it like your pointing your finger and shoot. Practice makes perfect.
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