Swampy: I know you have special problems because you live in that wheelchair, but my colt pistols have the magazines fully inserted, and I either: lock the slide back so that all I need to do is hit the slide release the gun loads a round in the chamber; or I load a round in the chamber, leave the hammer at full cock, and put the manual safety on.
An unloaded pistol or revolver is nothing but a paper weight, and an outrageously expensive CLUB.
I would not rely on any BP revolver or pistol for home defense, much less defense of my person. If it was all I had, I would cap it, and leave the gun out of reach of children. I also would cover the cap with a pistol casing, like a .30 cal. Carbine, or .380, or .38 Super casing, cut down to fit over, but not contact the cap. An o-ring would seal the mouth of the casing around the base of the nipple, and the casing would be attached to the trigger guard with string or cord. The hammer would be lowered onto the casing. This then would deter some kid who might get the gun from trying to shoot it. Of course, nothing is full proof, and when I have someone with kids visiting, the guns are put up or away from their hands. I actually worry more about stupid adults than the kids.