My R9 didn't replace anything. Occasionally I would find myself in an uncomfortable situation. Nothing ever happened, but I decided that I would feel stupid if something did happen and I was not prepared. Visited a gun store and the salesman showed me a R9. Looked at all the other small guns there, went to another store and checked their stuff. Went back and bought the R9. Nothing else even came close. It is my first gun, not counting my Great Granddad's Civil War S&W.
Rick
P.S. Welcome atinana!