ROBC2; It is hard to understand about the 3 1/2" barrel . . . I pick up my 4" N frame, then my 3" N frame, then my 3 1/2" N frame, and it just feels totally different. There is only 1/2" difference in barrel length each direction, but the 3 1/2" just feels great in your hand.

If I had to decide between the 3 barrel lengths it would be an absolute no-brainer. The 3 1/2" would be the pick. I do think that the fact that the 3 1/2" barrel is tapered, and my 4" & 3" are not has a bearing, but I am not sure how much.

Tom