I have a 6" S & W 57 and a 4" Ti Tracker.
If you plan on hunting w/ it get a Black hawk or 8 3/8" S & W (my neighbor is selling his - it is pinned and recessed too <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />). I wouldn't deliberatly hunt w/ a 4" or 6" ported barrel. Too short - Too LOUD.
I bought my Ti tracker as a lightweight carry piece in bear country. The cylinder is short but I managed to get 250 gr Cast Performance bullets in it seated flush w/ the end of the cylinder. I consider this set up minimum for bear, and only carry it when a bear encounter is "unlikely". For a likely bear enconter I carry a 475 Linebaugh.
Recoil in the 4" ported Ti tracker is not uncomfortable, but I also find the 35 Rem Contender not uncomfortable. With 250 gr bullets it is like full tilt 44 mag stuff. With the 210gr bullets it is pleasent. The grips play as much a role in this as does the porting.
If you want to hunt w/ it get a steel frame long barrel. If you want to carry it get the 4" Ti. If you want to plink w/ it get a steel frame - any barrel length. There is no law about buying more than 1 (yet).
If you are not confused yet - - -Darn!!!
PS Components are easy to find and not anymore expensive than 44 stuff.
