For me, it's less the caliber (9mm or 38 spl) than it is the platform. Have compact 9mms and revolvers that I am comfortable hitting where I aim. There are guns in either caliber that just don't work for me, given my carry style, adequate grips for my hands, and adequate sights for my eyes. If "man and machine" don't mate, then it's irrelevant what caliber it is.

I'm comfortable with either caliber for my self defense

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Guns + Dogs= Bliss