I used to carry a Carter Arms Bulldog, I now carry a 396 with a snub barrel and Titanium cylinder, loaded with 200gr gold dots. Thing is so light you forget its there. I carry a revolver because I shoot revolvers a lot. Running a revolver is habit. If I ever need a gun to save my buns, I don't want to have to thing much about it, but concentrate on what is happening. I can shoot my 1911 Commander, but flipping the safety and the grip are not nearly ingrained as a life time of revolvers. Grab it, point it, work the trigger, recoil twist it up and it my hand brings it back down, Its what I am used too. Reload isn't a button, its a thumb piece, finger trough frame, roll up barrel, eject down, roll on finger, grip cylinder and load close. Habit . 44 specials will get the job done, this one is very light. If I don't fix it in 5 rounds my odds where really, really bad to start with. I am liking my new short barreled 325 though and its got 6. Either one is lighter than a 1911.