Caliber is not a deciding factor in a self defense shooting.
You ever hear of hijacking a thread? If you want to sit at your keyboard and type the same garbage over and over, why don't you go start a thread in the general handgun section about how you feel caliber is irrelevant in a defensive firearm. It's certainly your right to do so, and I suspect a lot of people would take interest.
Stating an opinion repeatedly, and trying to portray that opinion as a fact, does not make it a fact, it makes you a bag of wind.
USAF_Vet doesn't troll. He shares facts when he has them and opinions when he has one, and is a valued member of THR in my experience.
Hitting your target at all is the most important factor of a defensive shooting. That is a fact. Shot placement would come next. That is an opinion. And then cartridge choice, as the diameter of the hole being created can have an effect on bleed out time if a shot doesn't hit the central nervous system. Personally, I think that is especially true if you are dealing with someone smacked up on drugs, as their reaction, or perception of pain could be dimmed. To say or imply it has no effect at all is to completely ignore basic logic and biology. Cartridge and caliber choice can also have an effect on the speed of follow up shots, which is another very important factor.
Anyway...... back to the ACTUAL topic of the thread. Cooldill, personally I think a 5 shot 38 is all you would even need to defend yourself in most
likely confrontations. But I think this comes down to your particular living circumstances, which we will never quite be able to understand, as your perception will be different than ours.
I started with an SP101 in .357 magnum. I lost a lot of weight, and it didn't work that well for me any more as my dress changed. I am in the process of looking for a better holster though. Then I bought a 642 for summer pocket carry.
Then the XDs came along and was thin, with another round, in a larger caliber, and was easier to conceal and carry due to the width. So, I made the switch, and occasionally carry a 7 round magazine for it. The most important part is that it fits my big hands properly, and I get an adequate trigger reach, which has always been my problem with small guns.
If an LC9S fits your hand, I think you'd be well enough armed for any likely circumstance. Of course, unlikely circumstances do arise. If I wanted a small 9mm, I'd look at the XDs again, because it works for me. The HK P30SK also interests me.