I think it's pretty much whatever suits you best. I have a Glock 30 and I have a 627PC 2.625" barrel. The Glock holds 10 (I'm in CA) 45acp's and the 627 holds 8 357mag. For me, the Glock is in my nightstand drawer, for my daughter who has difficulty racking the slide, the 627 fits her needs much better.