I was most gratified to see that there wasn't anyone saying, "But if you shoot someone using that fancy gun, the prosecutor will say that you had such a mean weapon precisely because you intended to kill someone." (The Massad Ayoob hypothesis). My response to that argument at your trial will be, "I'd have thought that was obvious ... the whole reason for having and carrying a defensive weapon is precisely for the purpose of killing another human being, if it should become necessary. And in this case, it did become necessary...."
As to the recoil/muzzle flash problems and the perceived need for second and subsequent shot accuracy, I have two observations: I generally recommend that people carry a revolver chambered in .38 special or a semiautomatic in 9mm Luger. Either has enough kinetic energy at fifty yards to crush human bone, and thus will work fine for "social work" at normal defensive range. Neither has enough flash/bang/recoil to be a serious problem, and I think they somewhat optimize the compromise between the command and control aspect and the effectiveness aspect. My second observation is that it would be good to practice sufficiently to be able to hit the target on the first shot, but if you can't or won't do that, then get a Glock - the lower mounting of the barrel results in a more directly rearward recoil, which Glock fans say improves one's chances at actually hitting the intended target on the second or subsequent shot. I still think that it's best to be effective on the first shot. Aiming aids help, such as nightsights, laser grips, etc.; I think the best thing is a combination of TFO TruGlo nightsights AND the CrimsonTrace Lasergrip (especially for home defense). Expensive, but the nightsights are good in any light and will give a pretty good initial sighting, while the laser is good for last split-second fine tuning (one should not turn the laser on too early, lest he risk becoming a target really quickly - ever watch how kids play "lasertag"?). Also, this "aim for the center of mass" thing is a line used on cops, who generally waste about eighty percent of the bullets they fire in emergency situations. I tell people to aim for a specific spot on the center of mass, the third button down on a button-down shirt, for example. (I think the lack of a specific point as a target is a contributing factor to people not being able to hit the broad side of a barn.)
So, I reckon I come down on the same side with the "no compensator" crowd. Keep that gun for fun and shooting sports. Get a Smith & Wesson model 64 revolver with a 4" barrel for social work; generally available used but in good condition for around four hundred bucks. Have a good gunsmith clean it up and polish up the action, decrease the weight of the trigger rebound and hammer springs; get a couple of speedloaders to carry with you, find grips in a size and texture that feel right to you (I do recommend the Lasergrips, though it's not worth thinking about nightsight - for that gun since there is no rear sight other than a channel along the top of the frame). That revolver was a marvel of modern engineering. And good quality .38 ammo is available everywhere.
