When it really comes down to it, the ONLY autoloader I would trust my life to is a Glock, and since I don't own one anymore... I carry a Taurus 651 Protector (5-shot .357 J-frame - shrouded hammer) on my person, and a Taurus 608 (8-shot .357 magnum - stainless steel - 4" barrel, ported ) in my car. I can absolutely attest to the quality of both, having put several hundred rounds through flawlessly. The 608 is getting a little harder to find these days, Taurus having discontinued the model. Taurus used to have a somewhat risky reputation way back in the day, but their recent offerings over the past 5 years have been pretty much rock solid. (Except for one of their Millenium Pro autoloaders... I forget which one.) Especially their revolvers. I've shot just about every major manufacturer revolver out there at some point or another, and I find Taurus to be every bit as reliable and sturdy as say S&W, or Colt. Granted, they don't have as many bells and whistles, but as far as a knock-around car gun, you couldn't do better than a 608. Eight shots of .357 ought to do the job properly!