I wrote earlier on this thread my thoughts, but after thinking about it, here are a few more thoughts. First, I like a heavy 44 or 45 slug. 2nd, I belive you want the best pointing and balanced gun you can find. You wont be needing adjustable sights, ivory grips, engraveing or whatever.
1. Reliability
2. Heavy slug
3. Balanced and natural pointing
Now, you arent going to get all those attributes in a revolver that you are going to wear concealed every day waiting for the possible event. You are really going to want a smaller, lighter gun and for that it more likely will be in .38 special or .357. Everything comes with some compermise.
I say again, the army and smith & wesson knew what they were doing almost a 100 years ago with the 1917! Reliability, heavy slug, and that light 5 1/2" pencil barrel that points nice is hard to beat!
Here is one I took off my dad at close to 90 years of age. They wouldnt let him keep it in the rest home. It was under his mattress. Those smooth oversized carved grips fit like a glove.