BadKarma, you make an excellent point. I have a model 36 with a 3" barrel that I carry becuase it is so light. It also happens to be the fastest handgun I own to draw and fire. I think it's the old school slim grip that makes it easy to grab and pull. I have permission at the range I shoot at to practice drawing and firing (If no one else is there).
Thanks for your service to our country. I see you are Navy. If you were kicking in doors and it wasn't on a ship..... you were either a SEAL or a corpsman? My nephew was a SEAL and a doctor for the navy in Iraq.