I went from revolvers to semi-autos for my usual self-defense gun. After pondering it for some time, I came to the conclusion that a semi-auto is overall superior to a revolver as a defense piece. In the same size as a revolver, you can pack more ammo, and I think that is vastly more important than the caliber in putting the "stop" in shoot to stop. (I would not go below .38/9mm, but I don't see any true need to go above those calibers either). Modern semi autos by reputable manufacturers are reliable, easier to conceal, easier to shoot accurately, and as noted, hold more ammo in the same size package.
You've already found that revolvers present somewhat of a challenge in concealment, because they bulge in the middle. The flatness of a semi, especially certain models, makes them easier to conceal. This is especially true for IWB, which I think is hands-down the most usable/accessible/concealeable mode of carry.
As for simplicity of operation -- the Glock or the Kahr is every bit as simple to operate as a revolver. Aim and pull the trigger. I suppose it takes slightly more effort to load the magazine initially, but you do that at your leisure, just like loading your revolver the first time. When reloading under pressure, however, the magazine-fed semi-auto wins hands down. Revolver afficionados (and I am one) point out that if you get a dud round in a revolver, you simply pull the trigger again, you get a new round, and bang! With a semi-auto, you have to do the tap-rack-bang drill. This is true. But if you start with a reliable handgun and buy good quality self-defense ammo, you are very unlikely to face this scenario with either type of gun. It is not impossible, but it is not a big enough issue to say this makes revolvers superior overall.
Some people do have a problem racking the slide on some semi-autos, because of the strength of the recoil spring. My wife is one of these. The smaller the semi-auto, the bigger issue this is because they have to use proportionally stronger springs to make up for the loss in the weight of the slide. However, once you get it loaded and in your holster, it is still IMO superior to a revolver. You may not be able to rack the slide for a reload, but under pressure, by which I mean if you are in a gunfight, reloading a revolver is not easy either -- and with the semi-auto you will get to the reload point later. Put it this way -- for any situation in which you think the five-shot or six or seven or eight shot revolver is adequate, so is a semi-auto with its attendent benefits.
I like five shot snubbies, and have several for a second (backup) gun. My wife carries one, with a couple speed strips. But in my appraisal they are not adequate for carry as a general/primary defense. They are excellent for last-ditch efforts against a single attacker at close range. And perhaps the majority of citizen self-defense actions resemble this scenario. But a semi-auto and an extra magazine or two costs me no more effort than carrying the snubby and speed strips or speed loaders, and I am better prepared to deal with one or more opponents, at various ranges.
I have carried a semi-auto Browning Hi Power (15 rounds) for several years, in a inside-the-waistband kydex holster. It really no bigger than my Model 19 revolver with six rounds (and FAR easier to conceal IWB). I carry it ALL the time, in whatever clothes I need to wear. Suits, casual, work clothes, T-shirt and shorts, whathave you., I have never had to compromise on which gun I wanted to carry because of clothing. A snubby fits in my pants pocket just fine, but it is always "extra."
Some women have told me that positioning the holster at the appendix position, inside the waist band, with the holster adjusted so the angle follows in the inguinal crease, makes any handgun much more comfortable to carry. And faster to draw, as well. I know of some men who do it this way as well because it makes the draw much easier and faster.
Whichever gun you choose, shoot it enough, "at speed," to be sure it will work when you need it too. This is just as true for revolvers as semi-autos. I think it is harder to manufacture a semi-auto that is reliable out the box than it is a revolver, but when you have one, with decent care it will continue to be reliable. As Excalibur noted, it is not all that hard to introduce problems in a revolver.
By "at speed," I mean shooting it like you would to save your life. FAST (and accurate). With less than perfect grip, "limp-wristed," at odd angles. Unfortunately, many ranges, especially indoor ones, have rules limiting you to one shot per second or slower or some such. This is not fast enough to show up all the possible problems with your new gun. See if you can find one where you can really exercise your gun and yourself.
I once had a snubby that shot just fine at normal range slow fire. But when I cranked off five has fast as I could, I found it would not advance to the next round properly -- it would either fail to turn the cylinder, or spin it wildly. Either way, the gun would simply lock up. This would only show up a rapid fire. I got it fixed, and carried it for quite awhile.
Same-same semiautos -- when you crank off several rounds rapidly, you may find feeding problems that don't show up otherwise.
Now when you go try out a bunch of guns (and I hope you can and do) you may decide in the end a revolver is better for you. Then buy the best one you can afford and lots of ammo to go with it, and practice as much as you can. Maybe buy two of them, one for each pocket. This is known as a "New York reload."
Best wishes.
). By that I mean this - I finally purchased a lightweight J-Frame S&W revolver. I bought the new S&W Bodyguard in .38 Special +P. It's LIGHT, as in so LIGHT that I can literally forget that it's there! I currently carry it in my front right pocket, and that's usually in cargo shorts. It's got a laser too. Academy carries it for $479.99, quite a deal! I ordered up some HKS speedloaders and I carry them in one of my cargo pockets.
They're just so hard to come by these days. (I was going to put a link to the S&W website for it, but their website is so mind-bogglingly horrid and slow. Heck, I can't even tell if S&W makes them anymore).