...
It's about software, not hardware.
Indeed. While the ability to quickly, accurately and effectively physically
run the hardware needs to occasionally and realistically be assessed, it's the software that may not be updated ... or may go out-of-date ... and which may also require some periodic reassessment.
From my own experience and perspective, since I'm still able to run my small, mid and full-size weapons within the same general envelope of speed, controllability and accuracy, the factors governing my daily retirement choices typically run more toward
what matches my daily clothing choices (and comfort does factor in), and
how many rounds can I put on-target
before having to reload. It's that simple.
I've acquired my own sense of assessing potential threat environments and risks. both over the 34+ years of me having worn a badge of one sort or another, and having kept my finger on the pulse of current events viewed through the filter of not only having been a working cop, but a LE firearms instructor for a fair number of years (both before and post-retirement). I still chew the fat with active cops and working instructors, trying to keep abreast of the things they're dealing with and looking at them against the backdrop of my own time in harness.
Jugging? Well, unless someone is going to wait for me outside one of the supermarkets where I shop (which is the only place I get pocket cash added to my transaction), I doubt my once or twice a year pilgrimage to my credit union - which sits across the street from the county Hall of Justice, other county buildings and the SO headquarters for that county - is going to be more of a threat
to me than it's been since I became a member back in '82.
Yes, Bad Things can happen anywhere. The world isn't a safe place, especially when you add the factor of Bad People who desire to do Bad Things to other people. That's the history of people, though, so it's not like it's that new.
I've come to draw my own line of being able to fire 5-6 rounds before having to reload. That's not that much less than the 7+1 rounds I was able to fire before reloading from my issued compact .45 I was carrying when I retired. I also started in the 6rd service revolver days, and then carried some assorted higher capacity duty pistols in the 'middle years' (8, 9, 12, 14 & 15rds), and then didn't lose any sleep when I carried that 7+1/.45 toward the end of my regular career.
Unless your employer (or a local law) controls your range of choices, I always thought folks ought to be able to choose for themselves. I never pushed my personal beliefs on anyone I served as a firearms instructor when it came to (mostly) LE and private persons (CCW). I was helping them with their skillset and mindset, not their gear choices, although I was constrained to remind the working guys & gals at my agency to stay within the prevailing policies governing such things, of course.
I'd explain the reasons for mine, if they asked (and some always did), but I also took care to remind them that my choices may not necessarily meet the needs, as they saw them, of their lives and activities.
Freedom of choice is wonderful thing. It always comes the potential for possibly having to bear the consequences of those choices, though. TANSTAAFL.