In the days when the Single Action Army ruled, few people were "schooled" in shooting handguns. The sights were somewhat superfluous. Those who had a clue how to use them, probably didn't have the trigger control to get whatever advantage their "fine" picture offered.
The balance of the long tube made "point" shooting (from an extended arm) at reasonable distances possible when the target was a man. People didn't normally have unlimited funds to practice with, so anything that made it easier to hit the opponent was popular, especially from horseback.
I like'em all.
But I like the short ones better.
Dan
