Post wise, I'm pretty new here...but I've read a lot here and on other forums that lead me to posting some (maybe) helpful information I've been working on for a solution to exactly this issue for 9 years. Here's some of what I've found for me and mine for SMALL concealed carry weapons:
A consistent long, smooth trigger pull with no de-cocker or safety wins over every other system that I've seen. It's almost idiot proof.
Steel, be it stainless or not, wins over alloy, scandium, un-obtainium. The weight absorbs energy helping to prevent developing a flinch that renders your weapon completely useless because a miss doesn't stop anybody.
The fit of the weapon in the hand has a lot more to do with the accuracy and reliability of the weapon in a defense situation than almost anything else. The fit also has everything to do with follow-up accuracy and felt recoil as well.
The cost of the weapon is way down the list as far as importance goes. Before you shoot me, here's why I say that...Find the BEST weapon you can with the least complicated operating mechanism. Again, forget the price. Understand its particulars and traits and whether those traits fit in your "carry" particulars. Then determine where the balance is between the $$ cost and what you are willing to give up from the "ideal" carry and what you want to spend. My feeling is always to put quality first because you generally get what you pay for.
To my mind,the only true "pocket" guns in this list are the Seecamps and the Rohrbaughs. After that, too much bulge for an average person for pocket...but great for IWB or OWB with the cover garment.
