Method Firearm questions

[internetgrime]

I'm planning to get a gun soon, mostly for defense but honestly I have to have this in my mind while choosing one as well.

What would a good make and caliber and such be? Additionally, what placement is best? If I end up going through with it I want two things
1. No chance of surviving and being severely handicapped and a burden to others
2. To not have my head reduced to a pulp. I want to be recognizable to my loved ones and be able to give them a chance of an open coffin funeral + minimize trauma, since it'll already be traumatic enough without being incredibly gorey.

 

[TAW122]

Generally, with smaller calibers the damage and reliability of success goes down and there is less margin for error, but I would say anything around 9mm, .45ACP, .40 S&W, and/or even a .38 special would be sufficient in terms of reliability. Anything less than that, while it is possible, is not really as reliable and of course, failing with a firearm is not only traumatic, but can also leave you severely crippled.