I gain knowledge of the several discussions in your site. Sometimes almost everybody has good points as to which caliber or type of gun is better to use and its purpose. I'll put my answer this way: First gun I used which I could easily hit a target is a .38 Colt 6 inches barrel. These past few years there is a craze of 9mm. I bought a cheap one but I consider realiable and easy to shoot the "Daewoo DP51 13 shots feed. I feel not contented despite of all the many mentioned good characteristics of 9mm. Instead of buying another 9mm model like Beretta, Glock or H&K or Sig. I've tried to read many good or excellent opinions of many shooters and professional gun handlers in the Internet (gun clubs or shooting schools), and hear experiences also of the Military, Police and other kind of Agents. I compare the effectivity, stopping power/energy and reliability. To sum it all the effectivity to its intended purpose. I come to conclusion that for ultimate self defense and can be compared to any kind of pistols, I decided to purchase .45 ACP. Again, I asked myself - what manufacturer I must choose from. I based from history, starting from early the conflict of Americans white and the Red Americans (Indians), White vs. the Filipinos (moros), World War I & II, Vietnam & Korean War. I asked the question what kind of pistol/caliber did they use in these mentioned history that stand the different scenario or hostile environment. From readings, it is the Colt ACP, i.e. Remington Rand, Ithaca, Singer to name a few. So, I decided to buy the Colt 1911 or 1911A1 model pistol. Although I only bought the M1991 A1 Stainless Model - I felt comfortable to it to it's good grip, shoot well and it is good a side-arm in any occassion. In shooting, we should differentiate of a match to an actual self defense. Someone might be good in target competition but not in actual conflict. Having a .45 caliber with 8 bullets magazine as my side-arm I feel confident and I am very sure I can use it as a deterrent to any caliber that is hand carried. As long as I can hit or place one or two bullet in the body (no matter the place) I am sure the person will fall down or be stopped. This is how I get my opinion that .45 ACP is a reliable and effective caliber, a person don't need a very fashionable pistol because the main intention is to kill or maim an opponent that has criminal intent on our selves or members of the family. Shooting Sports is only secondary but having one gun must be always a right to every sane citizen to equalize criminals, and oppressive people that will take our basic rights. I think my personal opinion will answer as to what is the best caliber or pistol, and reasonable nos. of bullets really needed.
Thank you Firing line.