If you think of a handgun as something that rides in a hip holster.......357 on up ought to do it. 6" barrel, plus or minus an inch.
4" works but I think a little longer helps with irons.
Not a fan of Redhawks, or Ruger SA anymore, went Smith yrs ago and have preferred them since.
If you think an optic is needed, and don't care about hip carry............a 9.5" Superredhawk might be a great choice. The one my dad had shot fantastic. I popped an 8 pt at 150 with it (worked but won't do it again- limit my shots to 100 and under nowadays).
