Perhaps you can have two carry pistols - then alter the position and/or method of carry until you get comfortable. Don't get stuck on 3 o'clock, strong side only carry, either. Try different holsters and holster positions.
If you won't carry your primary 10-12 hours a day at the outset, I don't see the point of carrying it all. Although I'd prefer to have a mid-size 1911 Para LDA or something similar, I am carrying (I can hear the arrghs and sighs now...) a Kel-Tec P11 9mm these days.
Upside: 10 rounds + 1 in the pipe; very, very light and easy to conceal in all weather and clothing types; under $300 (if you lose it or it gets stolen, no big $1000 loss; if it breaks, lifetime warranty), it has a huge safety (your brain), considering a defensive pistol needs to handle 3 yds to 15 yds, it'll do. Oh yeah, and if you ever use it or have it confiscated during a LEO encounter, it won't be the "family heirloom" that causes you sleepless nights, nor will it break the bank when you replace it.
Downside: it's not a .40 or .45., has fairly heavy trigger pull and is DA-only; forget IDPA and other competition sports with it (not meant for that anyway)
OK, now, hopefully this will not turn into a Kel-Tec bashing post. Just my humble opinion. I would carry something larger, but still really like the 10+1 rounds, and that doesn't even account for a spare mag of 10 rds, which I don't always carry.
And make sure you have a sturdy belt, but for goodness sake, if you carry full-time don't wear 5.11 tactical pants, a police belt and an NRA hat. You'll stand out like a sore thumb. Many perps/crooks are starting to pay attention to would be "sheep dogs" that sometimes look like off-duty LEO's or LEO wanna be's. Concealed is concealed. I know this is getting personal, but just like avoiding having the name, age, gender of your kids, plus the school and pets printed on stickers and plastered on the back of a big SUV (I see this DAILY in Houston and will never allow my family to display such info on soft targets). Being discrete is part of a larger strategy I have. NOT LOOKING the part is something I have had to work on, although it's getting easier by the month.
BOTTOM LINE: try several pistols for shootability. The thing that is hardest to test drive is the holster and location you wear it - and that is pretty important. After that, do safe, dry fire practice daily until your draw is smooth (from a comfy chair, from your car, from standing up, etc, etc). Carry something often. If it needs to be smaller at the outset (size, capacity and caliber) so be it. Better to have 11 rounds of anything to sling at 2-3 attackers than nothing. If you could carry a Para 12rd .45 1911 or Springfield XD 13rd, then go for it!!!
