re: 5” vs 6” barrel on .357 Mag?

Depends on the intended use. High velocity rounds can optimize a longer barrel. At the same time, it is a handgun, so that aspect of it, at a certain point, one would just be better off with a rifle.

Just sticking with revolvers, I would go 5". A 6" bbl on even a 44 is getting to be too much.

I like "full size" revolvers in 4" and 5" lengths, although if it was exclusively a hunting rig, I might see a 6" ( ).