A medium-framed 4" or 6" 357 is a nice choice. For several years that was my only "real" firearm. I never felt unarmed with it.
That was when I was a young man. Over the years I've accumulated a number or semiautomatic pistols and revolvers. I tend to prefer the revolvers.
My best DA revolvers are my S&W's. I have some old K frames and N frames with excellent triggers. They are a joy to shoot. With the right grips and reasonable barrel lengths, they all balance in my hands well.
I also have a Super Redhawk and a couple of SP101's. My FiL has a nice GP100. The SR and GP100 have pretty nice triggers, just not as good as the best Smiths. The Rugers don't balance in my hand quite as well, either, but they are good revolvers.
I've had good, bad, and mediocre Taurus revolvers. Just one had mechanical problems. Several went bang every time but had objectional triggers. Several went bang every time and had nice triggers. I still own a couple of the latter.
For a range toy, my Ruger single actions might be my favorites. I grew up shooting a Single Six, and a plowhandle grip always feels right to me. My Blackhawk in 357 is every bit as accurate as my best DA revolvers.
Colts are cool. I couldn't afford a modern one, so I bought an old Army Special just to have a Colt in my "collection". Its sights and trigger are just slightly better than my "M&P" from the same era. If I could afford a modern Colt (and Kimber), I would have one.
I'm glad I don't have to choose.