If you have a revolver and you are comfortable shooting it, then you are probably better off sticking with that type for carry. Autos will introduce a different level of complexity into your manual of arms. No matter how many new "revolutionary" autos are introduced every year, the compact revolver still hangs in there, and for some very good reasons. Get your basic five-shot .38 snub (there are a few compact six-shot models out there, too), and load it with a good example of +P ammunition. Practice at very short range. If you find you can carry a slightly larger revolver, such as a two-to-three inch K-frame, that'll do fine as well.