JMOfartO:
3rd Gen Smith CS9, or 3913LS..
I've tried most of the competition at some time or another and I still keep coming back to the 3gS..
I've found almost any modern 9mm pistol is capable of respectful accuracy at self defense range.. So accuracy for a self defense weapon is NOT at the top of my list of "got to haves"
RELIABILITY IS JOB ONE in a self defense firearm, and I don't care how much you chose to pay, or what name is engraved on the slide, I honestly don't think any pistol on the planet is any MORE reliable than a 3rd gen Smith.
If it's my intention to try and shoot the tightest groups possible I would take one of my HK P7's.. Those pistols are unbelievably accurate.. Fantastically reliable too..
But in my experience a 3rd generation Smith is as good a cc pistol as money can buy.
About the only reason I can think of NOT to buy a 3gS is if you don't care for the TDA trigger.. Personally I love a traditional double-action in my cc firearm as I think the heavier first round double action trigger pull might save me from an nd/ad in a time of stress, and may even keep me from shooting myself in the butt when I withdraw my firearm from my FIST Kydex IWB holster during a crisis when my adrenlin is going wild and my instinct to "flee or fight" is missing in action.
Not inflicting yourself with a gunshot wound is a good thing...
Just personal opinion, based on trying 'em all for almost 50 years, no offense to those gun folks smarter than I.. (Even if they only THINK they're smarter than I am..
)
Jesse