Someone asked me that old question that we all get asked, "What is your favorite gun for self defense?" At 60 years of age, and with a background that's had a "sticky situation" here and there, I generally reply, "The one that's in my hand when the trouble starts!"
That is such a broad question. There a millions of answers........and most are correct.
For a semi-auto, I love a .357SIG, and for wheel gun, I like a j-frame in a .32 magnum or .327 magnum or .357 magnum. I know that's a little odd, but they send heat down the pipe and and the devastation is remarkable........your authority unquestionable.
My answer to the question in the title: Full-sized 1911*, all-steel, with the junction of the trigger guard and front strap relieved, to allow the weapon to sit lower in my hand, such as Les Baer pistols, some Colts, and some others, OR, a Ruger GP100**.
My answer to the first question, in the narrative, which does not specify “handgun,” well, Benelli M2 shotgun. That is what I reach for, when available. Two are strategically placed, within the home. (No, not in a closet near the front door. Burglars KNOW to look there, ASAP.) If we are at a family-owned, heavily-wooded plot of land, located in the well-watered, green part of Texas, a Beneli M2 is good for that environment, too.
Regarding the second bold section, in the quoted area, well, I am not usually walking around with a handgun, in my hand.
I might well have a Benelli M2 in my hand, or hands, when walking in the woods. I have long experience with the Remington 870, too, especially the 870P, which I often had in-hand, while working night shift police patrol, but I made a final switch back to Benelli, to take advantage of the Comfort-Tech stock, and the nicely bold rifle sights, which work well with my aging eyes.
*My first handgun, in late 1982 or early 1983, was a Detonics 1911. It did not stay with me, very long, as it was a problem child, with reliability, but I have loved 1911 pistols, since them. As my hands age, and prefer more-comfortable handguns, the 1911 remains relevant, as the low bore axis minimizes muzzle flip, the steel damps recoil, and the .45 ACP may have a considerable total free-recoil energy figure, but that recoil is delivered with a gradual, kinder, gentler push, rather than the snap-and-whip of faster-accelerating cartridges.
**I had to train with DA revolvers, in the police academy, in 1983-1984. I thought revolvers were quaint, and obsolescent, at the beginning, but learned to really like them. My first year of sworn service, as a police officer, was revolver-only, 24/7/365. So, even if I did not like revolvers, I needed to learn long-stroke DA shooting. The mid-Eighties was a troubled time for quality control at S&W, so, having established a liking for revolvers, I did not hesitate to consider all brands, and I settled upon the GP100, by 1990 or 1991. The original-version factory GP100 grip is custom-level perfection, for my hands. My index finger naturally falls right into a perfect spot for a optimal DA trigger stroke.