I have a few random thoughts, but knowing me this might turn into a rather long post. The fingers are in a walking mood.
First, glad to know that you no longer think that handguns are tools of criminals. I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned before but: A handgun is what you use to fight your way to your battle rifle. That pretty much smacked me in my face when you wrote about not being able to get to your long guns while being robbed. They're not evil, they're just a less than perfect solution. You can't (reasonably) carry around a long gun all the time.
Regarding the carrying illegal thread: It seems that you've decided against this. I don't carry illegally (though I'd LIKE to) because I'm too much of a rule abider. I'm able bodied though; it's unlikely I'd gain any sympathy at all from a jury or a cop. You, however, are (and I think you used this word earlie) a "gimp"... you limp around a bit. You _might_ gain sympathy if ever discovered, however I must admit that I honestly think the LAST person to be searched for suspicious activity would be a guy limping around. Just my two cents. I'm not saying break the law... but if I was in your shoes I might. It's a toss-up.
I'm glad you got a 12 ga for HD (Home Defense)... you can't get much better than that, especially on a limited budget. Handgunners can debate to no end what guns are best for high stress situations at 10 yards, expansion, sight systems, etc... but i've never seen anybody say 12 ga at 10 yards is a bad idea. If you got it -- use it!
Now, for your "possible" carry situation, both the Ruger 95 and CZ-75 options are decent. I have a shooting buddy that owns a Ruger 95 while I own the CZ-75. The Ruger was cheaper, decent polymer frame, and darn if that thing doesn't shoot nice in the hands and plenty accurate. Bit "blocky" though and I've seen the Ruger P-series choke on _some_ ammo. If you go with Ruger I recommend picking your defense rounds carefully. Shoot plenty of them through there to make sure they chamber. I paid $360 for my CZ-75B 2 years ago and cant' say that I've _ever_ seen that gun malfunction. I've fed that thing plenty of crappy 9mm ammo and it spit them all out every single time. I'm biased though since I own one. I feel it's better than the Ruger... but I'm 99.9% sure the CZ is enough while the Ruger is 99.5% good. Neither is bad.
Surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet, but if you're on a budget hunting down a Makarov might not be a bad idea. If you're not in the loop it's a surplus European (many countries made them) semi-auto in 9x18mm. I hear it's not bad, and better than .380. They run about $150 plus the transfer fee for your FFL. I don't own one, and have never shot one, but I hear they're not too bad.
Same goes with a Hi-Point in 9mm. Excuxe me while I duck away from the rocks being thrown at me now. Okay, phew. The Hi-Point will run you about as much as the Makarov, and while the Mak might be a better gun overall the 9x19 ammo is easier to find than 9x18 making practice much more reasonable. Besides, there's a multitude of 9x19 ammo out there made for self defense
Nothing wrong with the wheelguns either.... you can stuff them snubbies in tight placds and not worry about jamming. I agree with your "high capacity" philosophy though -- the BG's tend to roam around in groups in my area too.
Now, if you need to raise cash to get a 9mm, .40, or .45 just let the people of THR know what you've got in .32 -- somebody might take it off your hands and offer you enough cash to get into a better caliber. People here, me included, have a tendency to buy guns we don't _really_ need.
