No offense, but if I ever needed a gun for personal protection I couldn't care less if it makes my ears bleed or bruises my thumb so bad I can't write for a week. Having said that, I also think that carrying a gun you can't shoot accurately is completely pointless. The only advice I can give, if the gun is to actually be used for self protection, is get the largest caliber that you can shoot accurately...I'd even place it before the 'right' model because there are so many good C/C pistols out there.