What I would like to carry and what I do may be 2 different things. I spend as much thought on ammo as I do on weapon. I have an M&P Shield 9 but brand new they are crap. The triggers on the things should have been a red flag to S&W but they apparently didn't care and included no mules or bulldozers to help me pull the thing which feels like dragging a bag of rocks over a bed of nails.

Modified they fill the role very well. I also find it is not the manufacturer but the specific gun that is the best.

Energy on impact vs weight and size of weapon vs number of rounds vs comfort vs expense.

Last but not least you have to hit what you are shooting at, meaning you have to shoot the thing meaning you have to afford to shoot thing and have to be able find ammo everywhere.