Jim:
I concur with your recommendation for a .45 ACP, and the Glock in particular. The Glock 21/30 family is also well-equipped to handle either the .45 Super, or Triton’s .450 SMC, with just the simple addition of a heavier recoil spring and rod. (In the 21-23 lb range.) A Glock set up with this heavier spring is also still able to shoot standard .45ACPs all day long. While not sanctioned by Glock, myself and many, many others have shot a huge number of these rounds downrange in our G21s and G30s without so much as a hiccup. The [discussion forum] site GlockTalk (where, BTW, there are lots of Survivalblog fans) has a ton of information on shooting the 45 Super through Glock 21/30 Pistols. In Him, – E.R.P.
JWR Replies: Owning a spare barrel for your Glock in .45 Super sounds like the best of both worlds. For those that can afford the extra parts and more expensive ammo, it affords the extra stopping power of the .45 Super for a better chance at stopping dangerous game. Fortunately, pistols re-barreled to shoot .45 Super can still shoot the ubiquitous .45 ACP cartridge.
The only drawback to owning a dual-caliber pistol might be getting the cartridges mixed up, in the stress of a protracted self-defense shooting situation. But there are ways to avoid that. (Such as color-coded ammo can lids and corresponding colors for magazine floorplates.) Besides, a pistol is not likely to be used much in an extended gunfight. Properly, that is the time and place for a battle rifle!