OP here.
I've been shooting and studying firearms for over 50 years.
I spent 30 years in the machine trades.
I was a moldmaker.That implies an attitude about workmanship,skill,precision,mechanical aptitude,etc.
I've also made parts that are in satellites,ballistic missles,landing gear for commercial aircraft,all sorts of military criticalparts that I wasn't even told what they were for.
But I have spent years making parts that peoples lives depended on.
I havealso made from scratch some very intricate unobtainable firearms parts.
I have access to a nice small machine shop.
I seldom buy a complete firearm.I build them.I have the Kuhnhausens,I have the specialized 1911 tools.
I've also said "Not good enough" and ordered expensive parts the second time.
The latest successful project? From an old first gen Caspian double stack frame,($100) and a take off- open gun top end(donated) emerged an open class,comped,slide mounted mini red dot 38 super that will be use in 3 gun matches.It runs like a sewing machine and is quite accurate.(Side note:Frame dust cover was warped in heat treat about .030 sideways.Bad drag on the slide.I poured the dust cover full of Cerro-Safe for support,then,in the spirit of "Nothing to lose,its junk the way it is" I picked up a Dead Blow hammer,and boldly smote it repeatedly.If it had gone wrong,I'd be out $100.It went right.Frame centered and straight!! )
I wanted a light weight,relatively inexpensive,reliable,effective carry gun.I live in Colorado.I choose to comply with our state 15 round max law for my carry gun. I accept 9 mm is adequate.I'm just not a Glock guy.
I watched Miculeks comparison of the XD,S+W M+P,and Glock.
The M+P feels "At home" in my hand.
The M+P seems a reasonable choice.They have a reputation about the trigger.
Apex seems to be a solution.
I'm asking the questions because ,while I do know a thing or two about firearms,I'm not so sharp about courtrooms.I've stayed out of them,mostly.
There is far more to being a CCW holder than picking the tool and hitting a target.
This forum,the staff and expertise here are a great resource for us.For me.
To Frank Ettin,Old Marksman,Spats,and the rest THANK YOU!!
You have been a great help.
I think this discussion gives many others who are accepting the responsibility of carrying some good stuff to consider.It may be a wake up for some.
To some of this tenacious argument...A recurring theme is "Should be""
What "Should be"
Reminds me of equally passionate discussion on being in a pot legal state,and pot and firearms.Lots of "Should be"."Not fair",etc.
I can make up my own "Should be".
But I am interested in what IS.
To the knowledgable folks who helped me,thank you.I appreciate your time.
And,no,I won't argue with you.If I knew the answer,I would not ask the question.