I carry a little Smith&Wesson revolver. A model 34, which is usually called a "kit gun". Best little revolver I have ever owned. It's traveled miles and miles with me and is so light you don't even know it's there. For places a handgun is not allowed, I have an old 1906 Winchester pump rifle without a scrap of blue left on it. Someone cut the stock short on it years ago to make a boys rifle. It's probably only about 32" long and really handy to carry. 22 shorts or CB caps are the way to go, although when I was your age I carried a Sheridan air rifle that always worked when it was called upon.