One topic regarding CCW that doesn't get as much time as the hardware, is training. There are many good options for CCW, small revolvers are great due to size, reliability, and the ability to make contact shots without a slide that can be pressed out of battery. Small autos are great due to capacity, size, and the ability to quickly reload them. Full size are great due to even more capacity, and more surface area for your hands which allows a stronger grip to be established, which means more accurate subsequent shots during rapid firing. There are many positives with various types. The real weapon is YOU, not the type of firearm.
If you've never gone through specific close quarter fighting/shooting training, I'm talking at least a 1-2 day 12 hour+ course where you put 500+ rounds per day through your handgun/carbine/whatever, you truly have NO idea how well you'll perform under stress. Even a single training course can make a huge positive change in not only your capabilities, but your mindset as well. When I was instructing for Sig Sauer Academy 13 years ago, there weren't many quality schools, but now there are several dozen I would recommend, and there is no reason anyone serious about defending themselves or their families shouldn't be training. Regardless of what you thing you know, or how good you believe you are, until you have professional instruction and have been put to the test under stressful conditions in front of many observers - you really have no idea on how you'll perform under combat conditions IMO.
Also, along with a weapons (firearms, magazines, impact/edged weapons, aerosol weapons, etc), you should be trained in gunshot/knife first aide, and be carrying a small package of critical first aid tools/supplies as well. Ask Rich46 here, who sees more pistol gunshots than probably any of us, 80% of pistol wounds are survivable these days. If you're involved in a CCW shooting/event, it'll be at least 15 minutes if not longer before medical personnel arrive, and often L/E won't even let them in the area where you are until it is secure. This means that YOU are responsible for saving yourself or any family/friendlies that have taken wounds - and they and you WILL - until the medical pros are able to help you. A couple of tourniquets, some chest stickies, quick clot type emergency bandages, curlex/guaze/etc to pack wounds, some scissors to quickly get clothing off, a couple pairs of gloves, a chest needle/tube to relieve pressure from common chest wounds, etc. All this can be fit in to a very small package in a ziplock and fit in a cargo pocket, or at least be in your vehicle and home. The training to use these things is very simple and easy, and having them near to hand can and will be the difference between bleeding out from a wound you and others can easily be saved from, or not. It's insane to me that many prepare for gunfights with weapons and combat training(some), but not the training and equipment to solve the EXTREMELY common wounds that happen in the majority of them.
