Not being a handgun specialist, I have a question..

[ironglows]

.
    Barrel length is a consideration with any handgun.  All things being equal, barrel length makes a difference in so far as utilizing full performance of any round.

 While a pistol contains the round in the barrel itself, with a revolver, the round is held for firing in the cylinder.

  I have beside me, my S&W model 642, which has a nominal 2" barrel..while the cylinder itself is 1.5"..

    Is not the 642 ballistically equal to a 3.5" barreled pistol?  Yes, the pistol will have benefit of a longer sighting radius, but isn't the cylinder considered as part of the barrel when considering ballistics?

[Dee]

Any revolver looses energy between the cylinder face and barrel forcing cone, so while this is an unfortunate loss, is necessary due to the design. However, the cylinder, and barrel are two separate components.

[scattershot]

The barrel/cylinder gap will result in some loss of velocity/energy

[Land_Owner]

There is no rifling in the cylinder, so rotational stability is only imparted in the 2" barrel.

[billy_56081]

Get some Super vel 90 grain Super snub. It will perform.

[Land_Owner]

Very nice revolver, btw.  It is similar in form and function to my carry gun, a stainless Ruger SP101 in 357 Mag caliber.

[Lloyd Smale]

ill compare it like this. Lets take two k frames. One  a 4 inch and one a 2.5. Shooting some top of the shelf defense loads id feel just as well armed with the 2.5. Now if concealment wasnt an issue id take the 4 inch gun just because its more shoot able. But i doubt if someone was shot with the 2.5 he be any less dead then with the 4. Likely your giving up about 50 fps. Your 2.5 inch gun is for up close and personal and is probably at about the same power level at 3 feet then the 4 inch gun is at 25 yards. I havent shot a man with a handgun in any caliber. But have shot lots of game and what you will find is if you penetrate enough to make it to the vitals or central nervous system a 44 kills just as well as a 475. The 475 forte is driving a heavier bullet that will penetrate deaper and make a longer only slightly wider wound channel. Id personaly pass on 90 grain stuff. Load your gun with a decent 125 like an xtp or better yet gold dot. I wouldnt trust the penetration ability of a 90 grain hp in a 38. Especialy up here in the winter where people were layers of clothes or if you get in a situation where you have to shoot through something. Same for me in the 9s. 120-130 hps are the way to go in those too. But like i said ive never shot anyone with a handgun so its just opinion.