[Poser]

Handgun: .357 Revolver - Goes bang every time, not complicated, can practice with cheap .38 special ammo, malfunction??? just pull the trigger again. Cheap... Taurus, Best... Smith & Wesson 686 stainless.

Long gun: Pump 12 GA shotgun. No substitute. Best all-around self defense weapon. 00, 0 or slightly smaller buckshot.

[Kartographer]

Hard to beat a shot gun just for the pure intimidation. Nothing makes a thief soil their pants quicker than break in to a house and then suddenly hearing the sound of a pump shot gun being chammbered!