I admit that the price of ammo has gone up, but 45acp isn't all that bad. But for practice/plinking, I mainly shoot a 22LR or 9mm Makarov. Both are inexpensive. And the makarov is a very good carry gun. But I use the 45acp because it can do something that the 9mm, 40sw, 10mm, or just about ANY other traditional defensive handgun CAN'T DO..... It's makes a BIGGER HOLE. And the bigger the hole, the more blood loss and better chance of hitting a vital area. With a 45 caliber, your odds go up of stopping the attacker. And I'm not talking about "Stopping Power". That and similar statements like "Knock Down Power" are not accurate statements. The only knock down power out there is truly a shotgun and some rifles. Handguns aren't really capable of that. So, you compromise with a handgun for portability and concealment.
Yes, there are times that I carry a 32acp, 9mm makarov, or the 45acp. But each one has their compromise and their benefits. The 32acp is something I can carry while dressed in a formal function. The 9mm makarov is something I can carry every day or when not wearing a lot of outer clothing. But if I could only have 1 caliber, it would be the 45acp. The larger the hole, the more damage that can be done. But in all fairness, if a person only had 1 gun, and they were trying to use it for home defense and self defense, then there is something to be said for a 9mm/40sw. (Personally, the best all around caliber/gun out there is the 357 magnum). It has the greatest selection of ammunition and the greatest purposes. But for anyone who can afford more than 1 hand gun, the middle calibers of 9mm/40/10/etc... are not needed. You should go for the 45acp because it makes the biggest hole and doesn't kick like a 44 magnum. And then have a smaller caliber to carry when the 45acp isn't practical. A caliber like the 32acp/380/9mm makarov. The in between calibers just aren't needed. Again, if you only have 1 gun, get a middle caliber; or better yet a 357 magnum. If you can have at least 2 guns, get the largest traditional defense gun (45acp) and a smaller caliber for when the 45acp isn't practical.
As far as "Shock" and "Speed" goes, I just don't buy a handgun being capable of doing that. Until you start reaching around 2000 fps, hydrostatic shock and such aren't an issue.