I agree there are varying degrees of effective training and nothing beats first hand experience. I've been working the streets for a few decades and have actually fired my weapon in high risk encounters. I've experienced the auditory shut down, the feeling of being in slow motion and the tunnel vision which occurs in violent encounters. I've also experienced these effects while doing active shooter training with simmunitions. From living through these events I think your chances of survival are increased if you know your weapons and tactics without having to think what you are going to do in a given situation. The ability to react instinctively and decisively sure can't hurt along with having a fair amount of luck. Mental attitude and innate ability to do the job at hand doesn't hurt either. From being a LEO I've seen a percentage of Officers who had no business being on the job for various reasons.
Personally I've carried revolvers and semi auto handguns, rifles and shotguns in a lot of serious encounters and personally I think it is more important to effectively use your weapon than a particular caliber in handguns. I felt just as well armed with a model S&W 439 with 9MM +P+ ammo as I did with a 45 ACP 185 grain JHP, a 40 S&W with JHP or a 357 Mag with JHP's. I realize that every weapon ammo combo has its own strengths and weaknesses but hopefully through my own knowledge and training I can effectively use the tools I have at hand. If given time I'll always grab a long gun but I also feel its important to know how to protect your own weapon from being used on you. Weapons retention and physical skills rank right in there with situational awareness. The ability to use an iron bar take down at the right moment can be just as important as drawing and firing your pistol accurately.
Personally I've carried revolvers and semi auto handguns, rifles and shotguns in a lot of serious encounters and personally I think it is more important to effectively use your weapon than a particular caliber in handguns. I felt just as well armed with a model S&W 439 with 9MM +P+ ammo as I did with a 45 ACP 185 grain JHP, a 40 S&W with JHP or a 357 Mag with JHP's. I realize that every weapon ammo combo has its own strengths and weaknesses but hopefully through my own knowledge and training I can effectively use the tools I have at hand. If given time I'll always grab a long gun but I also feel its important to know how to protect your own weapon from being used on you. Weapons retention and physical skills rank right in there with situational awareness. The ability to use an iron bar take down at the right moment can be just as important as drawing and firing your pistol accurately.