As I have grown older, I have come to appreciate the virtues of practically and simplicity. When it comes to handguns,
the Smith & Wesson Military & Police (a.k.a. Model 10) .38 Special revolver represents the best of the breed. It was "the" police arm for the first half of the 20th century, for a reason. The little M&P has no frills - it is just straightforward, no nonsense, utterly reliable, sturdy workhorse.
Safe, lightweight, and compact, it requires no particular attention, yet is always ready. Most situations where a handgun is helpful arise in a setting of great psychological distress. One of the revolver's virtues is that you don't have to remember anything - just draw, point, and shoot. Massive power is not required - any hit will stop the music, and buy you enough time for a decisive coup de grace. Pray that you will never need a handgun for its ultimate purpose - to stop a threat from harming you! But if you do, the little M&P will get the job done.
My favorite handload for the .38 Special is 3.0 grains of IMR 700-X powder under a Accurate Molds 36-159B-D cast wadcutter. This gives low recoil, with a 25 yard impact of 650 fps or so from a 4" barrel, and 14 to 16" of penetration.