This.
I carry a small 7 shot 9 mm with me everywhere and have recently started carrying another 7 round magazine for the gun. I’m still wondering if I’m under gunned. I have other options but the Kahr PM9 is so easy to stick in a pocket holster. Things get worse I can go with a .40 caliber Glock G23 or G22 and spare mags. I’m close to doing it now.
Fear is a great motivator. Here in California, it’s illegal to carry. But people are weighing their options, and are more willing to risk being caught carrying than to be a victim of black hoodlums. I’ve known quite a few women co-workers that carry handguns in their purses, despite the risk of being caught. The lawmakers have abandoned the people.
The best gun is the one you have with you.
I have a small handgun for everyday carry, and a full-size .45 for cases when I might be traveling through bad neighborhoods at night. I also tend to wear pants with cargo pockets, into which useful items (like flashlight and spare mags) can be stashed.
When people ask me "How do I conceal a gun while wearing X?", I respond "Wrong question. The correct question is what kind of clothing makes it easy to carry and conceal what you need."
I carry a Kimber Ultra 7+1 but have recently begun to wonder if I should carry my XDM 19+1.
I used to carry a standard 1911, with 7+1. When I started reading about flash mobs, I decided I was undergunned. I now carry a P12, 12+1, and an extra mag. I'm seriously considering buying a Kel-Tec PMR 30, with 30 rounds of .22 WMR. I hate to give up the larger round, but I like the idea of more of them. Mobs are usually undisciplined, so they won't press an attack after they've lost a few (I hope).