First Rule of Self Defense: Only the hits count. Second Rule: A hit with a low power caliber hurts a lot more than a miss with a high power one. Third Rule: Center of Mass hits hurt more than peripheral ones. Fourth Rule: If the first shop doesn't stop the enemy, try a second. And a third.
Fifth Rule: A low power handgun you can control in rapid fire is better than a high powered one you can't.
Perhaps because we associate the WC with Bullseye shooting we don't think of it for other purposes. Like our friends the 38 S&W and 32 S&W (or Colt) cartridges, not our first choice but as Elmer Keith said, it sure beats your fists.