As it appears this thread has breathed new life, and there may be some new shooters looking to develop new skills with that special Christmas present, let me belatedly give important advice. Greatly experienced shooters have detailed all the forgoing pages with hardware and preferences. But also critical to your long term social and economic survival is a VERY clear understanding of the laws on deadly (gun) force in your State. Those laws, and your adherence to them, will determine how you get to live the rest of your life after a deadly encounter. You must know what you are permitted to do, when you can do it and what to say to whom when its over. If it happens, you may find that the actual shooting is the easy part. My point, get training. You don't have to spend a fortune and go off to some exotic facility. If you live in a concealed handgun carry State, that course will provide what you need to know, provided by licensed instructors, who prepare you for the aftermath. Where I am, in NC, it is just 12 hours, and worth every minute. Good training creates good luck. Mac.