My grandfather relied for years on a Smith and Wesson Regulation Police revolver chambered for the .32 Long cartridge. He did not believe it very effective, on the basis of the worrisome experience of the law enforcement officer who had owned it before.
But it was what he had. It sat on his nightstand for as long as I could remember.
I ended up with it. It was what I had.
Later, I acquired a more effective handgun. It too stayed in the bedroom. Concealed carry was not permitted then, and it never really occurred to me that a handgun kept in the bedroom might very well not be available to me timely should the need arise. But that's another issue.
Many people put their faith in handguns that they know to be marginal, because they have to. Many others rely on handguns that they do not know to question.
We all take what we can get. Given the choice, I will not keep at the bedside (1) any derringer; (2) any pistol chambered in .25 ACP. .22 short, or .32 short; or (3) any handgun with very high sound pressure or great penetration, such as a .500 S&W. A 22 LR would not be on my list, but if it were all I had, it would have to do.
A .32 Long or .38 S&W would not make the short list, either.
Someone in another thread keeps a five shot .410 revolver with three inch chambers. That would work for me, it it were what I had, but it would not be my first choice . A five shot .44 Special with a three inch barrel from the same maker would would be preferable for me.. Actually, a six shot Smith and Wesson .44 would rank above that.
Today, my home defense handgun is my carry gun. It stays with me, under my control, all the time, and I do not have to put in on or take it off whenever I come and go.
That keeps me from seeking a good S&W .44 Special Model 24 for defensive purposes, but I sure would like to have one.