I just re-read through the thread, and I've paid more attention to the sorts of restrictions that Viking has to deal with, so I'm going to explain a bit more about my choices with respect to his situation and possibly modify a choice or two.
Viking's situation in Sweden isn't that much different than what we face here in New Jersey, excepting that we don't generally have to justify particular weapons. Carry is practically non-existent here, handgun hunting is effectively illegal, and we have to get a permit for each individual handgun purchase. At least we're not limited to only six substantially differing choices that need to be justified.
What I'll outline here is what I think is a well-thought purchase program for anyone desiring to build up a useful arsenal. My choices may not be the same as others', but I think you'll agree it makes good sense, bearing in mind that you may at some point have to train a wife or your children to use firearms. In fact, I think I can get every job done that I would want a handgun to handle in less than six examples, which means I can even be a little frivolous in one or two of my selections.
I'll also make note of typical muzzle energies for particular calibers using premium ammunition to help give you an idea of the relative level of power you'll be shooting. The numbers I've chosen are based on Winchester Super-X Silvertip hollow point loads (and glances at Federal's offerings), with the exception of .22 LR, where I use CCI Mini-Mag HV and HP. Not that these particular loads are appropriate for every purpose, or that they are necessarily the only choices out there, but it helps provide perspective.
Pay more attention to the capabilities of each of my selections rather than the particular models/brands. There are equivalent models from other manufacturers. I just listed the ones I like best.
Purchase #1 - Smith & Wesson Model 617 . 22 LR revolver, 10-shot cylinder, 4" barrel.
Shoot .22 LR frequently to keep up your weapon skills. This is the traditional introductory caliber, and it remains a mainstay in many people's arsenals. Typical muzzle energy for .22 LR is in the 100 to 150 ft-lb range, producing minimal recoil for most people.
Purchase #2 - Smith & Wesson Model 686 Plus .357 Magnum revolver, 7-shot cylinder, 4" barrel.
Start shooting .38 Special cartidges, move up to .38 Special +P. These are, IMO, the minimum calibers that you want to consider for anti-personnel purposes. Typical muzzle energy for .38 Special is about 200 to 220 ft-lb, and is considered easily handled by most any shooter. Muzzle energy for .38 Special +P climbs to the 250 ft-lb range.
Purchase #3 - Smith & Wesson Model 629 .44 Magnum revolver, 6-shot cylinder, 4" barrel
Use this with .44 Special cartridges initially. IMO, the .44 Special is an ideal caliber for self-defense. Typical muzzle energy for .44 Special is about 350 ft-lb.
Purchase #4 - A full-size service pistol in .40 S&W. My preference would be either the Beretta Model 96 or Glock Model 22.
I prefer the .40 S&W to the 9mm Parabellum. It's not much bulkier, though you may lose a round or two in magazine capacity, but the stopping power is much better. Most people can handle the .40 S&W recoil, especially once they've already progressed up through the preceding calibers. Typical muzzle energy for .40 S&W runs in the 400-500 ft-lb range, depending on particular brand of ammo.
OK, now you have four handguns that are all substantially different in purpose, which should be easily justifiable to the authorities, assuming that caliber selection is in itself sufficient distinction. Now it's time to start branching out for versatility.
Purchase #5 - Smith & Wesson Model 610 10mm Auto revolver, 4" barrel.
Once you've mastered the above calibers, you can start shooting the .40 S&W in the Model 610. As with .44 Special, .40 S&W is an ideal anti-personnel caliber, and you'll have the traditional advantages of a revolver over an autoloader for those cases where it makes sense.
Now we can start bumping up the power levels, thinking in terms of hunting and dangerous animal protection. Grab that Model 686 Plus, and start loading up the .357 Magnum cartridges. You're looking at about 500-550 ft-lb of muzzle energy here, which is considered quite a handful for most shooters. Many people may not be comfortable shooting this caliber on a regular basis, especially in lighter weight weapons.
Your next caliber choice can be 10mm Auto in the Model 610 revolver. Now, we're getting our muzzle energy up into the 650 ft-lb range.
Next, try your Model 629 with .44 Magnum loads. Now, we're looking at the area of 750 ft-lb of muzzle energy for our chosen hollow points, with hunting loads climbing into the 800's or even going upwards of 1000 ft-lbs. That will take care of even large bears.
Now that we've progressed up through the power ranges, we can think about specialized weapons. Concealed carry may not be a reality in Sweden or New Jersey, but it's something you really need to consider anyway, for there may come a day when you need to strongly consider carrying. As they say, better to have a gun and not need it than to need a gun and not have one.
Purchase #6 - Kahr Arms T40 or K40 .40 S&W autoloader (or your choice of weapon designed for concealability in a "normal" caliber).
The Kahr line are all single-stack magazine, small profile, striker fired pistols that fire popular service calibers. My preferences are for the metal framed .40 S&W models that have a large enough grip to hold all three fingers.
I truly think that getting a good grip on the weapon is somewhat more important than absolute size, and no one would really consider any of the Kahr offerings to be "large" weapons, anyway. This is the same reason why I don't really consider small-framed revolvers. Even with the ones that offer a three-finger grip, the bulk is too much greater than that of a single-stack autoloader for me to be comfortable. Concealable carry weapons are always a compromise.
The biggest problem with the Kahr as it relates to Viking's situation in Sweden is that it may be difficult to justify to the authorities when you already own a .40 S&W service pistol. In that case, I would strongly consider changing Purchase #4, above, to a compact version of any of the popular service pistols, like the Glock 23. This gives you enhanced concealability, should it become needed, while retaining a nearly full-size frame profile.
In that case, I would change Purchase #6 to a compact service pistol in a different caliber that would give you ammunition commonality with someone else you know, probably in 9mm Parabellum or .45 ACP, like a Glock 19 or the hopefully forthcoming compact .45 ACP Glock. I'm not a Glock nut, though I do like them rather a lot. I'm just using them as an example because they produce so many different flavors in categorized sizes. There are many suitable choices out there in proven service pistols Check out the recent "Best Combat Pistol" thread for thoughts on the topic.
OK, now you have a truly versatile arsenal of weapons that you will probably not feel the need to replace with better examples, and that will capably handle just about any situation on the planet. You can shoot them, your wife can shoot them, your kids can shoot them, and you may even be able to swap ammo with friends in a pinch. Of course, if your friends follow the same example, you can then fit in an oddball weapon or two just for fun and not feel as if you've wasted a choice.
Don't let this last point escape you. Whatever weapons you choose, get your spouse or some other companion that you would trust with your life and have them purchase and train with the exact same weapons you have, so that you can always provide a backup of ammunition and spare weapons to each other.
