Gman and Mav usually have great advice on subject matter.
Personally, I carry a Colt Commander (2013) in .45ACP in the winter (very comfortably) in an OWB holster. This thing is a lazer at the range.
Carry what you can confidently group on the range.
I agree with you.... Especially the last sentence
I carry my 1975 Colt Combat Commander .45 STS satin finish, either mid-back, side or shoulder holster...depending on what, when and where I'm going and time of year... my Grandpa gave me this gun when I graduated Navy boot camp in 85.... I took full ownership when he passed in the mid 90's... But I have been shooting it since I was 8 years old..... and even after 42+ years of shooting it, I can still rapid fire a full clip and keep a 4.5 to 5 inch grouping at 50 yards.... Firing single shots my grouping comes in under 3 inches....
I love my Ruger BlackHawk .44 revolver, but being single action, I am nowhere close... even with the fluted barrel, it still kicks harder than my. 45....
But I got my marksman in boot camp on the 1911. 45 (after passing first round with .22 on 1911 frame)... Only 3 of us out of 120 recruits that day got marksman and I had just turned 17 by 3 weeks...
Later on I got qualified on the pump shotgun navy/marine model mossburg and then some rifles.... I only needed the. 45 and shotgun qualifications for Shore Patrol duty and flight line guard duty
One of my friends recently bought a new colt defender. 45 3 in. and I hate it and it's 3 times louder than my old .45 which is only like 1 1/2 in longer barrel....
FX1, I know you're an avid sportsman that hunts and if I remember correctly your daughter hunts with you.... Most people don't realize or understand wildlife conservation and the need for hunting... As I was always taught, if you ain't gonna eat it don't waste the bullet/round/shell.... Shoot a picture instead...
Hate to hear that you lost your gun...hope you have already reported it
Cheers
TC