[Porchdog]

Depends on how I'm dressed.

S&W 638 or .40 S&W Shield.

I haven't found anything smaller that I'm confident shooting, I prefer to hit what i shoot at.

I have only ever used either on animals. .40 is as effective as I expect. .38 Speer short-barrel 135 grain loads make the .38 more effective than I had expected.

I do carry bigger guns when I'm heading to cities or other ****ty areas. You just need to dress for the occasion and/or deal with a little discomfort.

No question, shooting nuisance or problem "varmits" isn't statistically valid testing. I'll say this - some rounds leave those critters running. Others stop them in their tracks.

Contrary to Jeff - I still prefer revolvers. My revolvers are old friends and they put that first shot on target pretty much by reflex. The autos are Ok, but the only ones that are really instinctive are the big, heavy old ones.