I'm no Clint Smith, but I strongly advise every CHL holder to take continuing education in the form of combat/tactical handgun classes and force-management instruction. And I almost as strongly recommend they regularly participate in IDPA.
If you find yourself in an emergency life-or-death situation, you won't have time to go pocket-diving or belt-fishing for your gun; you won't have time to worry about getting a proper grip; you won't have time to get a precise sight-picture; you won't have time to think about the trigger pull...you won't have time to chamber a round.
You will be under right-this-moment S T R E S S.
Remember, statistically, most life-or-death defensive encounters will be at night, in dim lighting, and at close quarters. You might smell the half-dozen beers on your attacker's breath and have a handful of his unwashed shirt before you even cognitively realize the battle is on.
Your ability to react will depend upon your preparation, training, and practice.
A handgun isn't a shield. In some instances, it may not even be a deterrent.
It's a small tool...and a tool that can be taken away and used against you if you aren't careful.
To make the tool valuable, you need to train and practice and make yourself ready for the fight. In that process you'll come to know what gun is best for you and how you should carry it.
(ETA: "There is no Zen in the art of gunfighting": Charles Cotton.
I didn't intend to Zen-ize any of my above comments.
) But that and this do have me a thinkin'...