The Sig 229 DAK in .40 S&W will give you stopping power and the smaller size you're looking for - but it's almost twice the budget. Accuracy can't be beat and the DAK trigger will help prevent mis-fires from the adrenaline fed, itchy trigger finger one acquires at 2AM when a loud, unexpected noise is heard in the house. And no I'm not talking about the gun going off.
Again, I'm Canadian... it's illegal storage to have a firearm ready to go in case someone breaks in in the night (also, something I don't live in fear of). I'm a target shooter (new to pistols, though)... and I'm a big fan of the light, dull (ie: not sharp) recoil of the .40 S&W for "service pistols." Not even god himself can shoot a 9mm accurately and .45 factory loads don't win you any friends at the indoor range and your wrist will hate you.
My opinion - yours
will vary.
Bren R.
