How big an ol' boy are ya?

S&W Airweight 38 spc

5'11" 233lbs

If you like your .38 try out the S&W Airweight like previously suggested. Comes in Hammer, Shrouded Hammer or Hammerless configurations.

micro frame .380 with critical defense ammo.

It's fine to carry this if you OC or at a gun range but if you OC you only draw attention that's not needed and you don't need someones little kid saying "MOMMY That guys got a GUN !!"

Some worry about needing a big gun with a long barrel to shoot better but that's all wrong info . My LC9s in 9mm with a 3" barrel , I can hit a 20-oz plastic bottle at over 50-ft , my XDs .45ACP has a 3.3" barrel and I can do the same with it . I can cause I practice ! That is farther distance than i'll ever need to use any of my weapons . I also have a Rossi .357/.38 revolver with a 3" barrel , I can do the same with it also . I can almost guarantee you will never be in a gun battle at that distance and most gun battles are over after the first three shots . So choose your gun wisely , what is most easy for you to carry and that you can shoot best with . Then practice , practice , practice , then practice some more . That's the trick to being good at shooting ! Then last of all , PRAY that you will never ever in your life have to use it !!!

.38 or .380 how effective can you be in a crowded situation inside a larger building?

I know a .38 would be a great gun for a hold up, robbery, face to face deal....but over 10 yards away....man you better be lucky.

I'd prefer to have my baretta 92fs, but it's big and heavy. perhaps in a shoulder holster.

It's 2017, can we not invent another caliber for concealment and long distance?

You going to direct fire in/over a crowd inside a large building? You do realize that isn't how gunfights happen, right? Most will be at 15ft or less. The .38 will do just fine. If you're further away than that, you should be headed for the exit, not engaging a mad man, unless you are forced to do so.

With the size of some 9mm these days, I think .380 is harder and harder to justify. Just not much difference in size oe weight like before.

It's only a factor that longer the barrel the more accurate it is ..... WRONG WRONG WRONG !! Pacticing continuously is the only factor of making YOU accurate and better at any distance . Barrels can have the slightest bend and be off , sights could be bent and off , or you maybe a nervous person . Being in control and practice , that's all you need .... other than a gun you can trust to work when used !!

Smith and Wesson 442, Possibly with Crimson Trace if money is no object

If you have the one CHL and someone opens fire on a crowd like a church, I feel it's your duty to take out the shooter before he does more harm.

15' is basically our entrance......more like a perfect weapon for the ushers at the door, but not me sitting. We don't have ushers at our contemporary service.

With advancements in ammo technology in the last 5-10 years, 9mm is plenty for taking down two legged varmints.