Ah I wish we were allowed to carry a pistol for self defense!! Its much quicker at putting down a threat than my Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge!!!
I only own a few pistols right now. So for me I would have 2 good candidates for carrying. A Springfield 1911-A1 in .45, or a S&W M&P 9mm.
IMHO if you found yourself in a position where use of force was needed, and you need to draw, then rack the slide to load it....it is probably too late. From my limited experience, these situations happen VERY quickly. You want to be as ready as possible.
I would happily carry either of my pistols loaded and cocked, a level 3 retention holster should help any potential accidents. But again IMHO PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE.....Nothing is better than well trained experienced muscle memory.
On a side note:
My 1911.......With my preferred grip, I found that I have been knocking out the take down pin partially.....this renders the pistol USELESS after the 1st shot as it jams up the slide, and is a bear to get it going again. I have been working at changing up my grip ever so slightly to make sure that isnt a problem. Also I am a rookie pistol shooter, and am also LEFT handed
The M&P9 is a lot of fun to shoot!!!! And since I reload I have made some reduced loads for playing with in the .45acp. ALthough I leave the mags loaded with factory ammo when the gun is not in use....Just in case.