S&W 442 Centennial Model .38 Special.
My rational is that if you can’t do it with 5 .38s, you need to learn how to shoot or it’s frankly just your time. Small revolvers are always more reliable than small autos. A contact shot with the muzzle pressed against the attacker will jam an automatic, not so with the wheelgun. Also the revolver can fire a wider variety of loads and bullet profiles. Snake shot will blind an attacker and can be used for four legged and no legged vermin, and is my choice carry load for the first two rounds. If that isn’t enough, three DEWC loads are up last.
LOL. I did carry a Centennial model----about 30 years ago when it was the newest and best thing out there. Hard to master. Terrible sights Very slow follow-up shots. Very slow reloads. Uncomfortable to shoot (hence, not shot very much). Not very accurate (for me) at 25 yards. I do not subscribe to the theory that it's my time if 5 don't solve the problem. The contact shot worry is largely a training issue-don't jam the gun into your opponent. Mere contact won't tie up the gun. Finally, I wouldn't dream of carrying snake shot in a self-defense firearm. [ETA: I have had revolvers jam up on me, so I don't buy the reliability part, either.]
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