:O)I recommend a revolver because and no offense meant, but it's idiot proof. Stainless steel requires less maintenance and it can live in a drawer for years. The rubber grips are for comfort.
The .357 is a man killer. Keep the gun loaded and put away but readily accessible.
And lastly a firearm in the home is not for show. Never point a gun at something you do not intend to kill.
Best of luck
:O)I came here, basically to say exactly this. I keep a .357 for home defense, with the nice feature of being able to shoot cheap .38 wadcutters at the range. My wife has a “Lady Smith” .38+p, which is nice, and substantially more powerful than regular .38 loads.
I’ve got, well, “used to have” semi-autos as well. They are nice, but one stovepipe jam can ruin your whole home invasion experience. With a wheel gun, you just can’t go wrong in an emergency. And with .357 magnum, even if you miss, the report and flash will likely scare the assailant to death. There are special home defense rounds too which minimize collateral backstop damage.
My 2 cents.
What BigCin said....forget about automatics or other exotic alternatives.
Get a 4-inch .357 revolver for versatility, simplicity, and stopping power.
The Smith & Wesson Model 19 was what the US Marine Embassy Guards used to carry. Throw some Pac-Meyer grips on it, and you will NOT be disappointed.
You can use .38 to work on your confidence until you are ready for .357.
If you ever think you’ll carry concealed, go with the 2 1/2 inch barrel.