RE: Opinion on sidearm caliber.
I have 3,
1. H&K USP 40 semi
2. S&W Sigma 40 semi
3. S&W 422 22 cal (the plinker)
If I had any intensions of shooting a deer I'd go with a 44mag with a 6-8 inch barrel. I sot a deer in the 1st handgun season Illinois ever had and used a Ruger GP100 357. I killed a deer at 15 yardsbutthe 357was undersized as far as my opinion. Illinois has done away with the "handgun" season and now calls it the late firearm season where you can use handgun, shotgun, or black powder.