Best for what? Strapping on in plain sight? Concealed carry? Defense, target, hunting, plinking?
I am going to assume we are talking defense. I am going to farther assume you mean concealed. That comes from haveing not seen many people that probley ARENT leo actualy open carrying in town, and I am almost 72.
Okay. Many here have mentioned packing 5" 27s and probley 4" 28s. I have a like new 27 5" that I have owned 40 years. I cant remember the last time I actualy "packed" it, but bet its been 35 years. Thats because I have lighter more compact and cheaper guns that will do the job.
I had to open carry on my humble security jobs for over 35 years. A average work week was 65 hours. The romance of lugging a heavy large gun soon wore off for me. To start with it had to be .38 special. I had my choice usualy of colt offical police, s&w 586 or ruger speed sixs all in 4" barrels. Most of the time I carried my own 4" colt trooper .357. However I quit that to keep my captain out of trouble as I really was suppose to carry company owned guns. I mostly carried a colt offical police. I was about the last to opt for it as all the newbies wanted those 586s and speed sixs. They "looked" more modern and flashy. The colt was the lightest. I liked that since we had to carry .38s in the .357s anyway. I have accumilated many handguns of all calibers, all the popular smiths, colt pythons etc.
Probley I mostly carry a nice old m&p or a .44 special converted HD the most. IF I carry in town concealed, its a old model 40. In the boonies on my quad rides its either the m&p or the banged up .44 special HD. The reason is they are my cheapest guns, the safe queens stay home, and these will do the job.