Were I actually TARGETTING the predator you posited, I would use a larger caliber than my 7.62. That said, I don’t ever hunt predators, especially with a handgun. My little guy is more than adequate to my purpose, so I suppose the answer is YES, I WOULD, if I had to. However, there is a reason I hunt with a rifle, not a handgun...
How about you, “Rev”? How would YOU deal with a surprise situation?
You use the tools you have, because wishing for a better tool just gets you dead. Quickly.
I used the 350 pound predator example to make the point that people who do handgun hunting or just carry a trail gun that has to deal with a 350 lb black bear or mountain lion carry more than a 9mm.
So my thinking is, if I am a police officer having to incapacitate a 350 pound “scholar” hopped up on dope, I want more than 9mm.