Pond,
First off, let's address something that needs to be addressed.
What is the crime rate like where you live and work? I'm not talking about homicides exclusively, but about street robberies, assaults using weapons (knives, clubs, chains), assaults by groups, rape, etc. There are certain sections of almost any city that are "rough" areas, but what about the places you frequent? Is it considered unwise to walk down a street to a market at 9pm? Or is there a reasonably low crime rate where most people are unworried about "street crime"? What about where you live (home, apartment, room, etc).
Are there any special considerations about Mr. Pond that come into play? Things like you can be considered a robbery target (i.e. jeweler, courier, etc.) or potential target (e.g. access to defence facilities, sums of money, legal drugs, etc).
If street crime is low and you're unlikely to be targeted for a quick robbery or heist of products, the semi-auto is more than likely going to be "good enough". That is provided you keep constantly aware of your surroundings and can generally see trouble developing.
On the other hand, if you're more likely to face someone who will have tried to plan their crime (you are not a mere "opportunity" client) and come at you by surprise, you're going to want something immediately available and that says revolver.
Now, just let me say that if someone told me that a Glock pistol would cost me around $800 USD, I'd ask him if he was wearing a condom because he's trying to ***** me. But for you, it is what it is as far as prices go.
On the short list of potential pistols, for you the 9mm makes the most sense financially and for availability. Pistols that I'd price would include;
CZ P-01 - I find the regular CZ-75 safety awkward and difficult to reach. The P-01 has a frame mounted safety/decocker and is reasonably compact enough to carry.
CZ P-01 9mm Pistol
Beretta PX-4 SC - This pistol, for my hand, felt a little unusual and a tad awkward. Others love it and say it shoots well. It's compact enough to carry but large enough to control.
Beretta PX-4
One consideration in favor of the revolver is that some can be carried and fired from inside a coat pocket. Vitally important in those areas that see sub-Arctic winters.
A 4-inch GP-100 might be a tad heavy and bulky for CCW unless you can easily and casually keep it covered wherever you go. The SP-101 is a much more appropriate gun for daily carry. Having a gunsmith remove the hammer spur will facilitate pocket carry.
Ruger SP-101, 5-shots, .357 Magnum
One of my favorite personal carry guns is similar in size and capacity. The S&W 649 Bodyguard shrouds the hammer for pocket carry and was designed specifically to reduce snagging the hammer when drawing from an overcoat.
S&W 649 Bodyguard, .357 Magnum
When it comes to .38/.357 ammo, use the Fiocchi. Their loads seem to be a little more "robust" than some other US made ammo. The 125gr JSP in either .38 or .357 would be a good choice. Prices here run about $20-$22 USD per box of 50.
I'd suggest using .38 Special for practice and general carry. Their 130gr FMJ for practice is $3-4 cheaper per box ($30/case cheaper). Some folks suggest using 148 grain full lead wadcutters for a snubby .38 Special. For dense urban areas and/or apartments this might be a good selection, though I still lean towards the Fiocchi JSP.
If you have never fired a .357 Magnum before a few words. Excellent power and capability to stop someone but that comes with a price. A typical .38 special gunshot is about as loud as a 9mm. The .357 is a completely different level. The noise is painfully loud without hearing protection. Your ears
will ring after firing. The muzzle blast, especially from shorter barrels, can be ferocious. If you've ever had a soccer ball (football) hit you in the side of the head unexpectedly think of that. In a parking garage near a wall, it's obnoxious. The muzzle flash is notorious, especially from 2-3" barrels and is often visible in daylight. All of these secondary elements mean that the .38 Special is more often the better choice so that follow-up shots are faster and are easier to aim.
I hope this has been helpful.
