I think it's accurate to say that pistol rounds generally suck; the best just suck less. In almost every situation where we deploy a handgun a rifle would be superior. We carry sidearms because they're light, portable and concealable not because they're effective. I choose my ammo based on the track record it has "on the street" in police shooters (since there are better records of those shootings than civilian shootings). Years ago I was a fan of lighter bullets going faster but now I tend towards the heavier loadings. Most of the time I carry a 9mm, regardless of the activity. In daily life my EDC is usually an HK P30S although in hotter weather I might be toting my Beretta Nano or even my Ruger LCR in .38 Special. My preference for 9mm has been 147gr Federal HST. It has a very good record in police use. When I can't get that I will carry 124gr HST which also has a good record. For the .38 I haven't found anything I like better than the classic 158gr LSCW-HP +P. My main consideration is penetration; I like expansion but if I can only have one or the other I'll take penetration.

On rare occasion I carry an HK USPc in .40 cal. I carry 180gr HST in that when I do carry it.

I will stress that for woods use I am satisfied with a 9mm or .45 ACP because there are no dangerous animals here (save humans). If there were big bears I would carry something bigger. For camping and hiking I will often carry HSTs in the gun with a mag of 147gr flat-nose FMJ as a spare.

I'm not an "operator" or anything and I claim no expertise beyond being an avid shooter. Since all handgun rounds are underpowered vs even a wimpy rifle I worry more about skills than equipment.