You got more than enough comments here so I'll be brief. I am short and cannot imagine trying to conceal a 6" revolver. I have trouble concealing a 4 inch revolver. It can be done, and if you're a large guy go for it. I know nothing about stupid California rules but I imagine they'll allow it - it's a non-scary revolver and not a scary hi-cap semi-auto - you know, an assault pistol! EEK! 
I can't imagine you'll get a problem from the authorities.
On the other hand, carrying a concealed handgun is an exercise in compromise - how well can you conceal it, how long can you tolerate the weight, etc. Those are the big issues. Most folks cannot stand a really big, heavy gun for long - it's just tiresome.
Movies don't count - actors do NOT carry the guns unless they need them in the scenes where they use them. Otherwise, the prop man holds them.
That said, of course you hit a target easily with a 6 inch barrel - but you should have NO problem with a 4" barrel and many of us have no problem with a 2 inch barrel. It just takes practice. I just returned from a trip to Israel and was fortunate enough to get to shoot with a counter-terrorism team. When they handed me a Beretta Model 70 in .22 LR caliber and told me to hit a black dot at 20 yards I drilled it, followed by another and so forth. The soldier next to me looked at me and asked, "Professional?"
I laughed and said, "This is what I do!"
It just takes practice - not a long barrel. And that was with a gun I NEVER touched before, although I do have one of my own so it was familiar to me.
Defending your family at 20 yards won't occur often - few thugs can do much to you at 20 yards. You need a gun you can get to quickly and get into action quickly when it's up close and personal - if the big gun works for that for you, so be it.
I can't imagine you'll get a problem from the authorities.On the other hand, carrying a concealed handgun is an exercise in compromise - how well can you conceal it, how long can you tolerate the weight, etc. Those are the big issues. Most folks cannot stand a really big, heavy gun for long - it's just tiresome.
Movies don't count - actors do NOT carry the guns unless they need them in the scenes where they use them. Otherwise, the prop man holds them.
That said, of course you hit a target easily with a 6 inch barrel - but you should have NO problem with a 4" barrel and many of us have no problem with a 2 inch barrel. It just takes practice. I just returned from a trip to Israel and was fortunate enough to get to shoot with a counter-terrorism team. When they handed me a Beretta Model 70 in .22 LR caliber and told me to hit a black dot at 20 yards I drilled it, followed by another and so forth. The soldier next to me looked at me and asked, "Professional?"
I laughed and said, "This is what I do!"
It just takes practice - not a long barrel. And that was with a gun I NEVER touched before, although I do have one of my own so it was familiar to me.
Defending your family at 20 yards won't occur often - few thugs can do much to you at 20 yards. You need a gun you can get to quickly and get into action quickly when it's up close and personal - if the big gun works for that for you, so be it.
