I have a very small .22 pocket gun that I carry at times. I feel good about having it, in that it is better than not having one at all. It would cause a perpetrator to turn me loose, for example. While it isn't a .45, I can carry it places I couldn't carry a .45. So it has its place. I suppose my point would be there is no perfect gun. As a previous writer said, be a good shot with what you have. Police use larger calibers, but are notoriously poor shots, and they spend much time on the range. Laser grips might be a consideration, too, if your model gun and/or budget allow. They markedly improve accuracy, and can be a formidable deterrent in and of themselves.