RE: What pistol for self defense?
If you are not an avid shooter AND are very familiar with the operation of the a semi-auto pistol (clearing jams and feed problems, etc....) then I would recomend a good revolver. While not the most high tech of firearms, just about any revolver is simple to operate, and nearly 100% reliable. The simplicity of operation is especially true is the gun will be for home defense and your wife / significant other may have to use it.
Something along the lines of a short barreled .357 like a Ruger SP-101 makes a very good defense gun.
Use some very light rounds intended for defense loads like Defender MagSafe. These rounds will disentigrate in sheet rock, avoiding dangerous over penetration problems associated with some of the other handgun rounds.
I was an avid IPSC shooter, and have a number of semi-auto pistols, however the gun I carry (when required) is a revolver.