If only more people invested as much time in training, learning and understanding the laws and proper shooting practice (and even enjoyable sporting competition) as they did in speculating about the unpredictable effects of GSW's on theoretical, feared human attackers ...
Those folks who carry handguns due to the requirements of their professions often have little or no options regarding their safety equipment. They may, however, have the ability to better themselves when it comes to things like their skillset, training and recurrent practice. Or, they may only care to be able to meet whatever minimum standards of adequacy and competency may be required of them.
It seems it's more often the private gun owner, and even someone who may not even carry a concealed weapon for protection, who obsesses about the perceived nuances of things like "caliber", "ballistic performance", "stopping power", etc. Perhaps the engaged hobbyist, or shooting fan, reloader, etc.
If you don't have a choice in your gear, work with what you have to optimize your skill and knowledge. Worry about things over which you
do have some control.
If you
do have a
choice, why seek to argue with anyone else about it? Choose however you will,
and hopefully seek to optimize your skill and knowledge to your own benefit.
Now, for those folks who may seek to offset a lack of interest for improving their skillset and knowledge, and would rather hope that some arguable intrinsic attribute of their choice of caliber and ammunition will somehow make up for their disinterest in seeking to improve (or even maintain) their skills? Their choice.
Choice comes with potential consequence. Accept it, deny it or ignore it. Not really going to matter to anyone else. (Well, maybe your loved ones.)
Meanwhile, I haven't carried my .44's as off-duty (or retirement) weapons for some years, although I didn't stop bringing them to the range. I'll still choose to carry something chambered in .380ACP, .38SPL, 9mm, .40S&W or .45ACP, and occasionally one of my .357MAG's. Although I'm not teacing anymore (at present), I still make sure I hit the range (at my former agency's range facility) often enough to assess the state of my skills and continue to vary the calibers and handguns.
The .45Colt and .44MAG's will see some occasional range time, just to make sure my many years of being an enthusiastic shooter, handloader and then an eager firearms instructor/cop, haven't rusted away.
Aside from realizing (and keeping in mind) the difference between a "minimal marginal" .380ACP and my favored .38SPL snubs (mostly when considering the pocket size of some pants and sportcoats/jackets), choosing from among my 9, .40 & .45 retirement weapons isn't something that causes me much angst or concern. Nowadays the anticipated circumstances of my activities - including my choice of clothing - typically guides me in my choice when reaching for a retirement CCW option.
All of those calibers are still somewhere on the spectrum of "low powered handgun" choices ... and it's not like I'm juggling multiple cases or being sent to insert myself into suspected or known dangerous circumstances all day/night anymore.
Life is easier when you can choose to relax.