davzog;
Welcome, both to the forum and to gun-owning. From what you say, I believe you have gotten the bug and will probably have more guns. Remember, you can never have too many.
Once you getem, don't sellem, no matter what.
I have sold a few and regret every single one and now that I have time to reflect, I had no real reason for doing so. In fact if I had them back I would be very well off.
As wwb mentioned, one of them was in fact an old model K22, another was a odel 41 8" in the box with the weights from S&W to add as needed for barrel weight and balance.
Anyway. I agree with most of what wwb has told you.
You did spend a little more than you should have regardless of the condition of a mod 10 and I suspect the store owner knew it. Be that as it may, if you like it and it is in good shape, the cost is not out of line and it is a nearly indestructable gun.
The mod 10 was the most accurate revolver ever made at the time it came out. It was an issue gun for the majority of law enforcement around the country for many years, so there were as you might imagine more than a LOT of them made. They were also standard issue for some military and most military police for many, many years. As I said, a very good gun and highly reliable.
I still have two of them, one with my LE officer # engraved on it and one with my father's # and WHP for WY Hiway Patrol.
I keep mine under the seat of my vehicle so that I always have one with me. This in addition to my carry gun(s).
As for HD, because it is reliable it is a good choice. What you pick for your defense load is another thing. What wwb says is not bad and you might want to look at the 125 gr HP in +P as another choice. The good thing is the ammo for them is quite inexpensive so you will be able to afford to practice a lot.
The choice between the 22 mag and the 38 is certainly debatable, but the 22 mag with Hp ammo is probably more effective than any load from a 38 IMHO.
The big difference again is the cost of the ammo. The 22 mag is very expensive, by comparrison.
So overall I think you have the best of the two for now. You will change in time and I am also sure you will find another weapon for your final or optimum HD weapon and it will not be a 38 spcl.
If you have a range near as you say, I would suggest you go there and spend a lot of time with your gun and also see if they have a rental program then you can shoot the guns that interest you before you lay out the bucks.
I have a rental program at my shooting range and we do a lot to help buyers from around the Valley even from other dealers and we always send their customers back to them with a much better and more informed and educated opinion of the particular firearms. It has made for less hard feelings with our customers.
Hope this helps and also hope you enjoy your gun and the great people you will meet in the shooting community.
UF