I bought a really nice .380 Bersa sometime ago and I would highly recommend it. The problem with the larger caliber weapons is the kickback. I used to have a Beretta 9mm but couldn’t hit the side of a barn.
Having said that I still come down on the side of a good revolver. And if you want to really get someone’s attention a .357 will get the job done and you can practice with .38s.
There is a huge downside of the semis and that is that you have to be ultra careful to make sure that a round is not in the chamber when you unload it. And when you do load it you have to insert the magazine and chamber the round and pray there is no jamming. With a revolver you simply pull the trigger.
Now if you insist on an automatic, the Ruger Bull Barrel .22 is amazingly accurate, has no appreciable kick-back. And if you fit it with a laser sight, I guarantee you the bad guy isn’t going to walk away. Three in the head and they are dead. It is easy to load the magazines, ammo is dirt cheap and easy to use. Just keep it clean like all weapons and don’t shoot yourself in the foot.
And above all, check to see if a round is in the chamber when unloading. I can’t tell you how many times that has jumped up and nearly bit me. That’s why I recommend the revolver for home protection.
Recoil.