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Ahem.

4" is the minimum length to get proper performance out the .357 cartridge, I think. You'll want that. 6" is excellent, and the sighting radius and balance is even better than 4", for use in the field. It doesn't carry or conceal as easily, but believe me, it can be done, and then you'll have a real "using" handgun with you. 6" doesn't clear leather on the draw as quickly, but as the handgunners in the old West knew, if you want to reliably hit something the first time (they found this important, for some reason), longer barrels are the wise choice. Doc Holiday was famous for expending a lot of lead with his little "silver" revolver, and not hitting his target, even at bar room distances, but his 7 1/2" .45 Colt spoke with finality the first time, at the O.K. Corral. Lawman Commodore Perry Owens carried and USED a 10". These men weren't stupid, they chose to use what worked. Fast draw was not as important as scoring a solid hit with the least amount of shooting. Bill Hickock used his 8" barreled .36 Navy revolvers all his adult life. He carried a knife for closer situations.

Now, one should find his own way. There are good reasons for carrying smaller handguns, but I think your choice comes down to learning good shooting skills, and having a rewarding experience in the field. If you want to carry for defense, I'd say 4" is great, the standard "duty" length. For general shooting effectiveness, 6" is wonderful. A friend has a single action 6" Ruger which the owner of a famous hunting lodge in Alaska traded to him. She had collected her moose or caribou every year with it, with no problem at all. Remember, it was a 6", not a 4".

Although I am a major fan of the .44 Magnum, I think you will be better served by a .357 to begin with, especially a 6", if you won't feel cheated by not having something shorter, for concealed carry. One thing I am sure of, you will not go wrong with a premium .357 4 or 6, and probably never sell it, unless to replace it with another one. Before the .44 Magnum, people did everything with the .357. Especially with 6" or 8" barrels. There is hunting ammunition available too. It's great. I advise a Model 686. It has a long cylinder for hunting bullets, and is perhaps a bit more durable than a K frame. It is also available with a 7 shot cylinder. Pretty handy, although standard speed loaders do not work with it. No free lunch, as they say.