One can factor in the effects of adrenaline when choosing a weapon.

On the range, everything calm, cool, nothing upon which to focus except the firearm, target and your body, every effect gets noticed.

I think, I know, for instance, that if you were on a yacht which was under some threat, the adrenaline would make the .44 manageable. Would still take a little work, and in a few hours you'd notice the effects, but you could make it happen.

For me, I simply can't manage anything larger than a .45 ACP. I have to say that I have managed a .45 ACP under stress on rare occasions, firing more or less blindly, and didn't notice any problems until way later.

But adrenaline is a big help.

Arf