Next to my Glock 19 and two .45s, I think the 3" k-frame is one of the most practical defensive wheel guns ever made. Mine no longer sees a lot of use but I won't part with it.

A home defense gun, as opposed to a carry gun, should be all steel, to better absorb recoil, have a barrel of 2.5 to 4 inches and a minimum capacity of 6 rounds. As this is a home defense gun, you don't need carry convenience, which may reduce a handgun's effectiveness.

Ammo: use the most powerful ammunition that you can handle comfortably and which is safe to use in your particular handgun.