My favorite range gun is a S&W 686 w/ 4-1/4 barrel.
Too big for carry, but it did teach me to love wheel guns.
An air weight snub nose .357 would also be a good carry gun.
Absolute reliability!
Yup. Revolvers don’t jam or stovepipe.
And, even though it doesn’t begin with “4” some of the .38 and .357 self-defense loads will make a mess of anyone not wearing body armor.
Practice shooting and speed loading, and it will be as good as any itty-bitty auto. (And .38 is cheap to shoot...)