Man, I like gun discussions, but boy was it a chore to read all these posts in one sitting.
I honestly don't know how many handguns and rifles I have as I give some away to my sons from time to time and buy some too.
As to the OP, I think it is a lot like other things and dependent on the individual and will include things such as size, age, strength, mobility, familiarity with firearms, willingness to become and remain proficient.
A shotgun is a good choice for some, but not others, a short barreled carbine same thing and for some who are willing to take the time to master, it is hard to beat a good handgun. I use to get to shoot more than now and hunted with a handgun; only owned one rifle and that was a Marlin 39A Golden Mountie.
Now as age has sneaked up on me, I hunt with a bolt gun and have a Ruger Mini 14 Ranch Rifle with Hogue Stock and Holosight as well as a Sig 556 with red dot, Colt HBAR with iron sights and some others.
I have a Beretta 12, but can't handle the recoil and gave my Frianchi 20 gauge to one of my kids.
My son served in the Navy then Army Special Operations and got LOTS of training then he was a Police Officer and Firearms Instructor. He has gone back to college, but still teaches Sniper, Land Navigation, Patrol Rifle and handgun course mostly private classes.
The question of the "best" gun always comes up, we we will sit an example of about every possible configuration out on a table and let people handle every one to narrow it down and then let them shoot some.
What may have seemed ideal may turn out not to fit or the person is uncomfortable with it.
My recommendation is to try as many guns as you can get your hands on and consult with a professional.
Random observations:
I spent 32 years working for the Department of Corrections and Division of Probation and Parole. As an Officer, one of my jobs was to interview crime victims and submit a "Victim Impact Statement" to be used in sentencing an parole consideration. As a Lead Unit Supervisor, I read and approved all such reports submitted by Officers in three counties. I can't remember any victim of a violent crime or the family of a murder victim that didn't think, "It will never happen to me."
I worked in a large city as well as a rural area, so was exposed to a diverse demographic cross section.
I worked in a county designated as a poverty zone and people could barely afford to buy a gun and ammo, throw in licensing fees and classrooms and they would be unable to arm themselves.
A few years ago the requirement to obtain a "Permit to Acquire a Concealable Firearm" essentially any handgun was eliminated with dire predictions made; nothing happened, no increase in crime etc.
CCW became possible a few years ago again with dire predictions that never came to pass.
As I stated in another thread regarding people from BFE, Oz, Canada etc., I will respect your opinions, I ask you only to reciprocate.
Sorry, brevity is not my forte maybe not even clarity of thought.
