For me, if a gun is to heavy, I just end up leaving it at home. Its hard to beat the light weight Snub nose 38 Special. Load it with 158 grain Lead HP bullets of the Plus P persuasion and you have pretty good protection. I have some full size guns that I carry if dress permits but I can always carry the Snub. I have a Taurus Light weight model 85 with a two inch barrel it is very accurate and dependable at close range where self defense incidents occur. I have a Glock 22 as well as a S&W 9MM. Last but not least, the Ruger 45 ACP.