I have, and recommend the 3 inch barrel. I live in Tucson and wanted a gun that was easy to carry but capable for mountain lion or black bear (when I'm up North). I have a couple of 629's, but don't want to lug them. Buffalo Bore makes a 180 grain (.357) hard cast lead flat nose that puts out about 800 lbs of muzzle energy out of that gun. Good enough for the desert, or anything in AZ for that matter. CCI shot shells are also a take along. Diamond backs are everywhere here.