Good condition used Smith and Wesson K frame .357 magnum.. you can shoot the hot .38 Specials in it too and the target loads are cheap. I would recommend a M19 or M65 with 3 or 4 inch barrel if you can find one. Everyone should have one, IMO.. reliable as a rock, cheap ammo, in .357 [with a good 125 grain hollowpoint] it's a real manstopper and it's one of the easiest cartridges to reload for if you ever take up reloading I agree, although I'd recommend the 158 grain semi-wadcutter hollow point (so-called FBI load).     The other thing is, if he has neighbors directly on the other side of the wall (i.e., apartment/condo), then ammunition needs will be different. He'd probably have to get Glasers.