Boy, a ton of opinions and ideas, most of them really good. <br><br>But the one thing that you must do before you purchase any weapon for self defense or take any classes, is decide if you and your wife (and any family members who expect to use the weapon for self defense) will actually be able to use the thing if the time comes. Most call it mind set. If you are not absolutely sure that you will be able to take a life (never try to shoot to wound, shoot to stop, which will very likely produce death), you have no business having the weapon. If you can't use it, the bad guy will take it away from you and may use it on you and your loved ones. You must have already made that decision in your mind, and pull the trigger instantly, you won't have time to think about it. And never bluff, if you have time to say "stop or I'll shoot," shoot if the BD doesn't stop.