For lots of reasons, I don’t like to carry concealed a revolver with a barrel much less than 4”. I find a 4” carries and conceals as well as a 2 1/2”, and find that it’s the end of the grip that “prints”.
I have cut down some factory target stocks for my S&W 686-3, and this has significantly improved the gun for this purpose. I have great confidence with this gun, and part of this goes to how easy it is to shoot quickly and accurately. The 4” barrel helps.
Slightly longer barrel really helps with blast of the .357 Magnum cartridge. That old Danny Wesson with 3&3/4" barrel, round butt, and snag-free fixed rear sight is hard to beat.
For lighter gun old S&W Night Guard series is worth a look. They came in .357, .44, 10mm. They had two piece barrel, lock, and MIM parts meaning older guys with lots of money may pass giving better price for more needly gunmen.
