. . . talk about a mouse gun! I'm not sure you'd be able to stop a mouse, let alone a rat.
Speaking of which -have I stressed enough that it was a hideout piece? The Colt was for more obvious work, but the Star was **ALWAYS** hidden away for when the main piece was not available to assist, and it came in handy more times than I care to mention!
You mention waist carry; perhaps looking up a custom fitter to make up a less-bulky holster would help. Again, and I must be specific here so as to not fall afoul of the law, I admit candidly that I carried when I probably should not have -not that I am advising you to do the same, mind, and of course *winces* I do not do that now. Rather more fond of breathing, even in a jail cell for protecting Myself and those I love, than becoming nothing more than a memory, I believed. Not that I am advising you to break the law *cough* but everyone needs to evaluate their priorities at times.
I mean, at one time it was the law to swear allegiance to the english king, and look where we are now.