The Gun Digest Book of the Revolver
Guns, Bullets, and Gunfights
No Second Place Winner
Grips are essential. There has been much discussion over the years on this topic and it's difficult to cover the entire topic in one forum post.
The Gun Digest Book of the Revolver covers this topic in detail. If you buy only one book, buy that one. However, you really should read Cirillo and Jordans' books.
The LG-305's from Crimson Trace are the way to go for J-Frames.
Revolvers require quite a bit of practice in order to achieve proficiency.
The lighter guns are tough to shoot. They are not beginner guns and you will not have a positive learning experience with one. If you are a new shooter, then buy a revolver with four inch or longer barrel. The grip should be large enough to support all fingers and the palm. Otherwise, you're going to be fighting too many variables while you learn (short sight radius, heavy trigger, small grip, recoil and tiny sights) and you will not get good results.
This thread needs pictures. 357 Magnum is too wimpy and 38 Special is only good for small dogs.
44 caliber motivation:
Ruger Alaskan
S&W Model 24