+1 on the 12 gauge and the .38 revolver, for all the reasons stated above and one other consideration in favor of the revolver: reliability and low maintenance. A semi-auto handgun relies on various springs etc. to feed. Dirt, time, just laying around unused might cause a failure to feed just when you need it most. You don't have that problem with a revolver, which will sit happily in a drawer and fire when you need it most: everything is strictly mechanical.