Carry Options
First off a CCW gun as a defensive, not offensive option.
There is a big difference between looking for trouble and protection.
Any handgun powerfull enough to get into a firefight with is too large to carry.
What you want is one you can have when you wear dress pants or swimming trunks. I discovered this living in Orlando. It's 90 degrees at 8am.
I have been researching the best carry gun for about 20 years now, and all I can do for you is give you my opinion based on real life experence from having CCW's in 4 states over the last 20 years.
1. Your best defence is surprise.
2. The goal is to get away from the problem, not stand & shoot it out.
3. If the threat is over 25ft away they are not a threat.
4. If you have to wear a holster, you should carry a 45acp or 50bmg.
5. More people have been killed with the 25acp than any other caliber.
Given the above facts, the 380acp is hands down the best bet because the guns for it are small and flat and easy to conceal. There is very little difference in a 380 and a 38spl. Using Hydrashocks there is probably no difference.
I have found only 2 380's that meet all the above criteria.
I have carried 3 Colt Mustangs in different configurations and thought it was the best going. Put it in a wallet holster in you back pocket and you don't even know it's there. Only problem is Colt quit making the Pocket lite. When I found out they are selling for $1000+ I put mine in the safe. If you ever have to use it you probably will not get it back from the police.
I now carry in a pocket holster the Keltec 3AT. It is half the size & weight of a stainless Mustang. With the keltec clip draw on it you can clip it on your swimming trunks and not know it's there. They even have a lanyard that you can wear it around your neck like a neckless. Talk about a surprise for the scum bag in the rest stop.
Now I know there is going to be hundreds of know it alls that are going to jump all over this post with their opinions of stopping power, reliability, quality, etc. to defend their idea of a carry gun, and that is OK. But when they do think about this, 7 hydrashocks, double action like a Glock, no safety, polymer frame(no rust), only 11oz fully loaded, and best of all $250.
Let them top that.