I read an article in the late 50s or maybe early 60s by Erle Stanley Gardiner. It was in Outdoor Life or one of the other outdoor magazines.
The scenario back then was you were one of the few survivors of a nuclear war and were trying to live off the land. Gardner thought an S&W K-17 masterpiece with a 6 inch barrel was about ideal.
Probably still a good choice for rabbits, squirrels etc.
That's a K-22 Masterpiece. Later, when Smith & Wesson went to the model system, it became a Model 17.
I know, it's arcane.
I have a Model 17-4 built around 1974. Very nice gun. Taught all my kids to shoot with it.
My wife’s favorite gun. The K-22 is/and shoots beautifully. Momma is mean with it. Wish I had a few more. But my 27, 57, and 19 are nice too. Trick is, surviving to use them.