I know this may have been asked before, but I couldn't find anything on a search. I'm looking for opinions on a good, decent concealed-carry pistol.

My current employment will be making me take a temporary move up to 250 miles away from home for up to 8 months down into deep South Texas along the Mexican Border. With recent news of all the disappearances of American citizens into Mexico, I want to make sure I'm protected for my family's sake. I will be (soon) attending a concealed-carry class to obtain my permit, but I first wanted to get opinions on what would be the best pistol to have.

My personal preference has been to 9mm pistols, but that is based on my Dad having one when I was a kid. Don't have much experience other than that. I have fired a .40 & .45 cal. pistol during an exposition, but not a lot of rounds fired to gain a valuable opinion myself.

What I'm looking for. Something light and concealable (of course). But also something that will make itself noticeable if called into action (ie: a small .22 pistol is not what I would consider something to make a statement with when needed in a dire situation).

Now I have heard that a9mm will not have a lot of "knock-down" power in a life-or-death situation, but that may be off-set with the number of rounds it can carry. A .45 can carry a punch if needed, but weight and recoil effect are to also be considered. Also keep in mind that price of either new or used guns will be a factor. Reliability and consistency will also play a major role in my decisions.

I work construction and will spend a large majority of my working time in my truck. This will be the primary "residence" of whatever pistolI make a decision on, but I will also be carrying this pistol on my person from time to time.

My background for those that are interested. I have been hunting (on a regular basis) for only the last 6 years. My primary knowledge with guns pertains to shotguns and black powder rifles only. I do not have much experience or knowledge with pistols. I have fired some from time to time that have belonged to friends or relatives, but not a lot. My main goal in all of this is to keep my wife and daughter from having to cash in on my life insurance policy.

The areathat I'm heading into(Brownsville, Tx - Rio Grande Valley) is a hot-bed of international activity. From drug smuggling to illegal-alien crossing, I want to make sure I'm prepared. Call me cautious or whatever, my family comes first.

Let the discussions and opinions begin...