The 9mm out of the 26 will hurt just as much, be equally effective.....and is much easier to deliver with precision.
Of course, you won't get the immense pyrotechnics of that power-wasting flash/boom, but you could learn to do without it.
I think you're about right, carry my 9 a lot because it's 14 ounces unloaded and carries 11 rounds of +P which is nice in a small package. It's quite accurate, too, and easy to shoot.
However, ballistically.
9mm carry load...6.5 grains Unique...115 grain Hornady XTP/HP...~1267 fps/410 ft lbs
.357 carry load...17 gr 2400...140 grain Speer JHP...1332 fps...551 ft lbs
Guess what, WE HAVE A WINNER! .357 Magnum. But, yeah I know, the 9 is plenty. Heck, today, I carried a .38 special +P load in my ultralite. It makes about 931 fps/270 ft lbs and felt well armed enough. I think ft lbs is less important than shot placement and I shoot all these guns well enough to make hits. I really do like the nine, but I ain't givin' up my revolvers.
I've always liked the .357 magnum as a round for both self defense and outdoor uses. I've killed deer with it using 158 grain loads in a 6.5" barrel. I wouldn't take on a deer or hog with the 9, but my 180 grain load out of the 2.3" SP101 makes 1306 fps for 682 ft lbs! THAT one, I carry on my walk abouts just in case I spot a hog close enough, inside 30 or 40 yards. Usually, they bed down in the heavy thicket and sometimes you'll spot one or more in the thick stuff if you're observant and walking slow. I'd feel under-gunned with the 9 in this situation. But, for self defense, the 9 is a really good choice. It is a lot easier to shoot, grant you that.