Ruger LCR 22. LCR's have a lighter (but different - shorter, shorter reset, 'spongier') trigger pull than the Smith airlite equivalent - 317 (or Smith j-frames, generally), and $100-200 less. I think the premium for the Smiths is because of brand, and carry weight. Super light at 10 oz.
Ruger produced the 'trainer'-equivalent (LCR 22 and LCR .38/.357) to the Smith and Wesson pairings (airlite models 317 and 360 or 340/342 centennials, and airweight model 43c and 442/642 centennials), and did so at a significant discount. Get the LCR 22, and a couple bulk packs, and move up to the LCR .38/.357 when you're comfortable. The reason for the .22 revolver as a beginning training (and skills maintenance) cc-firearm is handling familiarity and trigger time, not to mention building strength in the hands, and getting acclimated to the specific timing of the trigger, all without the distraction of felt recoil. And, 8 rounds may yet be enough, in a pinch, for one who's put enough rounds downrange to learn the gun (i.e., its abilities, and its limits).
If you could only afford one gun, needed an EDC immediately, and resolved to go with a revolver, I'd go with the LCR .38/.357 (skip the .22 trainer) and a set of A-zoom snap caps, a speed-loader/strip, and a commitment to 'dry-fire' as a major component of training/skills-retention.
I do like the Beretta 21A (as well as the 84's, and the 950): It's a good-looking gun, plenty fun to shoot, and has attractive appeal for new shooters, e.g., taking new shooters to the range (whether or not a new shooter could use it effectively, first time out, is another story). It's just not a priority for EDC/BUG. Sharper edges, fat in the palm (equals more width to contend with in attempts to conceal), requires premium ammo (IME, high-velocity CCI, still 1 or 2 FTE's/100, clearing a .22 lr case that hangs up the gun is more problematic), just a little more complicated than a BUG should be.
And unfortunately, today, the inexpensive polymer micros in .32 ACP and .380 ACP, especially reliable DAOs, are making it a tougher sell.