My way of looking at things has changed over tha last few years.
Now,I believe "armed" is good.I would feelarmed and confident with a Colt SAA Sheriff's model in 45 Colt loaded with 5 rounds.I would feel armed and confident with my PA-63 James Bond gun in 9x18 Mak.And for a long time,I advocated a 5 shot .44 spl snubbie.
I also have been of the 1911 45 ACP school as my next step.It IS a great choice,and I certainly feel armed and confident with my Randall Commander clone.
However,my "cartoon" of my worst case scenario has changed.I'm 6'3" and 300 lbs.Rather wooly looking.I generally expect a maggot coward thug to pick an easier victim.I'm not as worried about being raped or mugged one on one or two.
I do not want to target any particular group,but from reports of who is coming across our southern border,and I do not mean the people of Mexico,and out of control group/mob situations in the news,my concern is multiple attackers of tough young men.
I actually had a carload of young men pull a car up beside me at 2AM as I was shopping at Walmart.I'm a night guy.They asked me if I was a RANGER.I said,No,I'm not even a Veteran.Then they told me I looked and walked like a RANGER,whatever that means.I assured them I am not,but told them I take it as a compliment.They drove away.I do not know what their response would have been had I said I was a RANGER,perhaps an attempted beheading!.But,lucky for those guys,I'm not a RANGER.It could have been very bad for them.
Or,who knows..they may have been wanting to say something nice to a RANGER at 2AM in a parking lot.
While my emotional choice is a big .45 fat slug,my brain has told me ,given identical shot placement,between 9 mm and 45,there will be either no difference in the disabling of my attacker,or a small percentage of difference.MAYBE my attacker will bleed out 10% faster with a 45.OK,but generally I get half again as many 9mm rds.So,three hits with a 9 may be better than two with a 45.And for sure,two 9 mm mises and one 9mm hit beats two 45 misses.
That is why I am going to buy a S+W M+P 9 c.My mind is made up.
And do not overlook your reload can be a 17 rd full size M+P mag with or without the grip adapter.