Haha no worries.
While I'm a bit of a gun snob, for defensive situations I will say that the gun you're carrying is better than the gun you've left at home.
Agreed - the Taurus revolver I have has shot reliably and I haven't had issues with it, has a short 2" barrel - Pachmayr grips so I have a pinky rest, should be a nice gun for defense on the rare times I could carry south of MD -
The Walther PPS is nice. I rented one of those a while back and enjoyed shooting it. The ambidextrous mag release on the trigger guard will take some training to get used to, but it worked well. I think it's one of my favorite subcompact, single stack 9mm's. And I liked it a lot better than the new Glock 43.
I will watch the full Hickok45 video on it again but did they not do away with the paddle mag release on the M2 version of the PPS? I need to check it out again, yeah it does look slim and even with the full 8 round mag still not too tall of a gun, but not too compact.
Avoid the CCP. The Gun Tests magazine which I mentioned previously did a comparison between that and the Glock 43. The CCP was super picky about ammo and did not cycle reliably. Not something you want in a defensive pistol.
Agreed that one is out of the running for me, I watched a few shooting videos and such, I'm not a fan of contained bolts as well, when its stripped the bolt is captured for cleaning. The disassembly is a bit weird too with the tool provided (it might be same on the PPS but i'm not sure)
Yup, that totally helps and makes sense. Since you want Glock or Walther, I'd suggest the Glock 26 or the Glock 19. The 26 is their subcompact, which is slightly smaller than the 30 and much more manageable. The 19 is their compact, which is easily concealable under a baggy shirt. Both are 9mm.
I'll check out the 26 and 19 for sure, Glock website is blocked at work (Walther isn't go figure) but I'll do some researching in the coming weeks. Still definitely not opposed to a 21 (although not carryable for me) or a 30 as well.
I don't know the Walther lineup very well but maybe they've got something that's the size of the 26 or 19. The PPS is about the size of the 26 but it's single stack so much slimmer. And the PPQ is big. Maybe they've got something in between, but I don't know.
Yeah I did a bit of a comparison and if I ever got a PPQ or an American they are both bigger than the Glock 21, the HK VP9 is taller than the PPQ but the PPQ is taller than the Glock 21, thicker too. Would be good nightstand or range guns
Or get a 1911 for your .45acp desires.

If budget is a consideration, Rock Island makes a decent 1911 for about $500. Or you can get a Springfield for a little more. Tons of good 1911 options.
Already have a SS Taurus 1911 which I love and is at my bedstand now, its my "huckleberry" gun lol! I'd like a more high end one in the future but surprisingly both my Taurus' have been reliable for me - the recall I saw you mentioned were on pistols I don't own.
Then save 9mm for the striker fired guns...
Understood - I kind of get what you're saying, I could get behind another "medium/full sized" in .45ACP and then a smaller pistol in 9mm.
Glad to be of help!
You're right that the plastic guns have taken over. And if you think that market is huge, check out the AR market nowadays. That one is INSANE!
God I wouldn't even know where to begin. I think I'm starting with the S&W MP15-22 because I have a ton of .22LR and its budget friendly and looks to be fun to shoot.
Also, they are most likely out of my price range but the XD Springfield series always looked like a sharp gun to me as well.