Hi Chuck / Mekaniks,
Excellent question, definitely equal to; "What is the best deer rifle"? ... (or buffalo rifle, and so forth).
Thanks for posting it.
Yours Truly began carrying a revolver at age 16 after an armed robbery in the all-night restaurant that I was cooking in (Sacramento, California - whata sheethole).
Seems comical now but it was Ruger single action in .22 magnum (only handgun I owned at the time.)
At 17, in said greasy spoon restaurant, I faced down a robber who foolishly threatened to cut my eyes out and jam my face into the hot grease of our deep fryer, if I didn't open the cash register.
I'd be lying if I said I was not scared but, I was also furious that some disgusting dope addict/bully would dare to threaten me so, I stood my ground and he ultimately walked out empty handed.
My parents would've revoked my weapon (probably my deer rifle, shotgun and duck decoys, as well as my fishing tackle for that matter) if they had found out but, they never did and I became a folk hero among my peers at that point.
And without yet knowing it, I had sealed my own fate to become a career Police Officer a few years later.
Well anyway, my point is that the above incident caused me to think much about handguns for defense.
By now, I have tried many things in the "concealed weapon" category and so I figured I would toss in my two pennies worth, take it or leave it.
Shortly after the robber reminded me how fast things can get ugly, I was turning 18 and so my father figured my request to get a ".45" was reasonable.
I gave him the money and he bought for me my fist 1911, a brand new "Colt MK IV Series 70" (5" barrel) for the huge sum of $124.95 (those were the days).
Little did he know I was carrying it at work, tucked into my waist band, under my grill apron (as I had formerly been doing with the .22 Magnum).
No robbers showed up and I left that job to take a job welding, until age 22 when I became a Police Officer.
As a cop beginning in the mod 1970's, I was forced to carry a revolver on duty and so I became extremely familiar with same but generally carried my 1911 off duty.
However, in California it gets hot sometimes and concealing a .45 while wearing short pants, sandals and a T-Shirt is not easy.
So, I bought a S&W "Chief's Special", 5 shot .38, 2 inch barrel, Model 36.
Would have rather had the 3" version but could not find one for sale during those years.
Eventually I sold the Model 36 because it had an exposed hammer which sometimes snagged when drawing it from my pocket.
And I replaced it with another little S&W "J-Frame" .38 Special 5 shot, 2 inch barrel but it is "hammerless" (Model 340PD Titanium).
It is very light to carry and surprisingly accurate with Federal 147 +P+ grainers.
I also liked the 3 inch Model 19 (6 shot .357 magnum) but not many were made compared to their 2.5 inch barrel Model 19 and so like the Chief's Special, I eventually ended up with the 2.5 inch version.
The Model 19 was not much easier to conceal than the 1911 but a decent self defense handgun nonetheless.
I also went through a ".380 Phase" (Colt, Walther and Beretta) but I got over it.
Personally, after reviewing hundreds of shooting incidents from all over the world, involving cops & robbers, I firmly believe the .380 is a more effective self defense cartridge than some "Gun Experts" say it is but, I do agree with them that there are better cartridges out there for self defense, especially here in Alaska where people tend to wear very thick clothing well over half of the year.
Likewise, I went through a 9mm phase (Browning P35, aka "High Power") but, I got over that as well, still have it but don't carry any more.
The 9mm is another under rated defense cartridge IMO but again, I do agree with the "Experts" that there are better cartridges for the job.
Lately, since all these International Lunatics are hearing voices from Heaven, telling them to kill non-believers, I have gone back to carrying a full size auto pistol and two spare magazines.
Damn if I will die from lack of shootin' back.
However at the end of the day, since you want a small handgun for self defense, I highly recommend the S&W Model 340PD in .38 Special.
It fits into the front pocket of Carhart jeans or khaki pants and does not show.
I liked the HKS brand "speed loaders" to fit same, reliable, fast, sturdy and cheap.
They make this revolver in .357 as well I believe but, so uncomfortable to practice with as such that, I'd not bother with the magnum version.
Cheers,
Paul / Velo Dogazoid.
