My take:
Get an OLDer snub-nose revolver in dedicated .38spl.
This is a CCW , while appearance on the outside is the first thing one sees, the insides are what keeps one safe.
Inside: Metallurgy, Quality of parts , and Craftsman of parts fitted (QC) will keep one alive, even if the exterior has nicks, scratches, bluing worn/missing, rust speckles and pits.
Gun gotta go bang - period.
Guns are going to have recoil, this is where Gun Fit comes into play which also includes Weight of Gun to Payload being fired.
All Steel or Steel and Aluminum alloy are proven to work.
Other alloys restrict one on loadings recommended as recoil can cause the gun NOT to run.
Concealing and Environments: Each person has to access for them Activities of Daily Living [ADLs] and how they will carry a CCW.
NFPE [Non Friendly Protection Enviroments] and NPE [Non Protection Enviornments exist. Access and Choose for yourself.
Colt Detective Specials "look" like a Smith J frame size , still feel more like a K frame size with one more round (total of 6).
Downsides: These Quality Guns are getting harder to find, Expensive, Accessories are more limited, and being honest, having a Quality Gun Smith that knows how to inspect, maintain and work on one is getting rarer.
Great Guns not doubt! Still many do not want mess up a Colt, or even if the Colt is a older one, worn bluing, and not very "pretty" , just due to sentimental value - some pu tthese up.
I for instance have a 1928 DS, sentimental, I carry it rarely.
Ditto for some others I know with Colts of this era.
Then again, quite a few are CCWing these.
They have worn finishes and all from being shot often, Hot and Humid and Sweat has even with care, allowed some light rust freckling.
Insides are pristine.
SP101 - great gun. Heavy, Hefty Easy to take down and Maintain.
Some do find this one difficult to CCW in a Pocket, not comfy in a Belly Band, or any other method other than IWB/OWB
J Frames on the other hand , well being honest, still have parts available, and most gunsmiths can work on one if need. Much easier to find a Smith that can, and worst case - send it to S&W.
Stocks and other accessories are more readily available , even Crimson Trace are made for these if this something you should require.
J frames can be made more "concealable" due to more options out there.
Smaller stocks, one has to compromise concealing vs gun fit to shoot well.
J frames are NOT easy to "master" ( I hate using that word here). Hence the reason it is NOT the best gun to learn on or have has a first gun.
Two things assists with this: Learning correct basic fundamentals with a K frame with a 3" or 4" barrel with light loadings.
.22 rim-fire J frame Guns , these afford a lot of quality practice with less recoil, less ammo cost, thus allowing one to instill correct basic fundamentals.
Third is taking a Snubby Class and then taking lessons learned and repeating them over and over and over again.
I personally like and carried/carry Model 36 (all blue steel) Model 37 (blue steel and Al alloy) , 042, and 442.
Ammo was /is Standard Pressure 158 gr LSWC most often.
Same except LSWC-HP
The old Nyclads.
On some, I had a Smith install a Gold Bead in the front sight. This sight will not break, not "dim" , and it shows in all lighting conditions.
For some of the "occasions" , one of these was worn in a crotch holster.
This for if everything has gone downhill and getting worse. Primary is gone, Back-Up is gone and ...well, you gotta do what you gotta do because the BG certainly intends to.
One of my guns had to be re-finished as did one of my "pards".
Reasons for this was simple, Matters got serious, and skittering one under a vehicle/ across asphalt pavement alters the finish a bit.
But the guns worked, and were refinished.
Just my take.