Another gun to consider is the Ruger P4C or the P9C, 40 caliber or 9mm. A friend has one, it's fun to shoot and reasonably accurate, works well with optics, and in 40 cal, magazines can be had that hold 20 rounds. I'm sure the 9mm mags hold more, but haven't looked into that. Those are the good points. The downside is that the trigger, usually not the best on Ruger guns, is absolutely ABYSMAL on the carbines. 20-25 pounds, and gritty, and I can't find anyone who works on them. Everyone who has shot this gun tries to fire it, then starts looking for the safety to take it off, when it's not on. AWFUL trigger. Aside from that, it's a hoot to shoot, and 20 round mags go fast. Oh yeah, and the empties come out sideways at about 50 miles per hour, hot and sharp. Unchecked, they'll clear 20 feet easily, and in gravel they'll bounce for another half-mile.
Personally, I'd prefer a 10mm on an AR-15 platform, but the price and availability have kept me from investigating that choice further. A modern-day version of an M-1 Carbine in a hotter caliber would make a great pig rifle, chambered in something like 10mm, or 45 Super!
Papajohn