MikePGS,
Short answer your question - yes a J frame is enough.
That said,
All handguns are not enough, no matter what platform, or how many rounds they carry, or the number of reloads one carries.
You wrote:
I am yet to buy a CCW pistol
Then do not buy one - yet.
Only YOU can determine what works for YOU with some seasoned assistance.
First arm yourself with knowledge.
Mindset is the key.
Mindset means you will seek knowledge from seasoned persons better able to access and assist.
Try a variety of guns with a seasoned person, one that is an instructor in defensive use of handguns is best.
See what platform fits YOUR hands, and allows YOU to reach all the controls and able to do under stress.
A J Frame is not usually recommended as a first handgun.
Especially to new shooters, but I do not know your level of handgun experience.
I also do not know , and none of my business, if you have any physical limitations, such as deformed hands, missing fingers, arthritis, old injury which limits range of motion, ...etc.
This is why I choose to not paint with a broad brush any firearm for anyone.
I do not know all the variables of the user of a firearm.
Gun fit is that important, even for a J frame, different stocks be they rubber or wood, "fit" the gun to each person different, and felt recoil.
Some add a Tyler Grip to assist...
K frames for most folks , fit better, especially with finding the stocks for them.
Felt recoil is better managed as the gun is a bit bigger and weighs more.
Ratio of gun weight to payload - a factor for any gun, no matter if handgun, rifle or shotgun.
Colt Detectives are another favored gun, these "look" like J frames, but "feel" like K frames.
A seasoned instructor, esepecially one that instructs in the defensive use of handguns, will access these things for YOU and YOUR environment.
Semi-Autos,
Well there are again many platforms, some with levers that go "up" , some that go "down" some with no levers and these vary from SA (single action) to DA/SA (double action first shot, then single action thereafter) to DAO (Double Action Only).
Actually shooting these various guns will allow YOU and the seasoned person assisting you to know if you can reach the trigger, and any levers and all under stress.
What I did, was borrow from a known trainer a tip.
Shooters I was assisting had tried a variety a variety of guns for gun fit ( includes reaching trigger, controls and all) and narrowed down choices.
Semis and Revolvers.
Typing paper folded , then folded again [1/4 sheet] placed at 5 yards and only 5 rounds loaded in each gun.
5 rounds covers J frame on up in capacity.
I / we preferred from concealment, still sometimes with no holster, low ready position.
At the buzzer draw and fire 5 rds.
The paper does not lie.
Folks would shoot all the choices they had narrowed down to, and it was that obvious which gun, which caliber, and load from mild to hot in a given caliber they could get quick effective hits with.
Observations:
-.40 caliber guns did not do well due to snappy recoil.
-DA/SA did not do well
-J frames did not do well *
-Small semi-autos did not do well.
K frames (snub nose and 3"), Detective Specials, BHPs, 1911s in Commander and Full size always always gave the best results, from ladies to gents, from new shooter to more experienced shooter.
Dedicated .38spl, 9mm and 45ACP were the preferred calibers.
*Many folks bought a Used Police Trade in dedicated .38spl, and most often a Model 10 [K frame].
Now with quality practice with this gun, they were able to transition to a J frame very well.
Mindset is the key.
For without mindset, one will not seek to try before they buy, get instruction, continue to practice.
Mindset also means not going where trouble is, leaving when trouble shows up and knowing what to do in dealing with trouble if one cannot evade.
One does not always use a firearm when dealing with trouble - the mindset with knowledge, and training is what keeps one alive, the gun may or may not be the tool to use.
Just my take.