.380ACP is a decent stopper for the person who doesn't want a lot of blast and recoil, but I agree with the general idea of "go try some out". If you can handle a .45ACP, then by all means, get that, in a pistol with as long a barrel as you can reasonably conceal. You'll get better overall performance than a super-short barrel will yield, and you should be able to aim a little better with practice.
"Think of it, if you like, as a librarian with a G-string under the tweed." Clarkson on the Mondeo.
If you can handle a .45ACP, then by all means, get that, in a pistol with as long a barrel as you can reasonably conceal. You'll get better overall performance than a super-short barrel will yield, and you should be able to aim a little better with practice. 
