I'm in my mid-sixties and always carry a S&W Model 642-2. On duty I carry a four inch S&W Model 686-6 loaded with .357 Magnum Remington 125 grain SJHPs (1440 fps). Off duty I carry a S&W Model 13-3 loaded with .357 Magnum Speer 135 grain GDSBs, or a S&W Model 12-2 with .38 Special 158 grain JHPs.
My wife (won't tell you how old she is) carries a four inch S&W Model 681 wearing Crimson Trace grips loaded with .38 Special +P Remington 125 grain SJHP. She can't get used to flying brass so I standardized on S&W revolvers. Works for us.
On the other hand, if SHTF or TEOTWAWKI is in the cards, the ATI-stocked Ruger Mini-14 comes out with Hornady 55 grain V-Max ammo.
