I carry a revolver but it's a J-Frame. I had a very nice 2 1/2" Model 19. And yes, with magnum ammo you could burn somebody with that thing, though that might be the least of their worries....
One winter I did carry a 4" Model 29. That was a bit much for me, but a co-worker routinely carried a 6" or 6 1/2" 29 Dirty Harry style.
You're in the semi-auto forum.....this should be in the revolver forum.../ one of the moderators will probably move it ....but look over all the forums, and rules, so you get to the right places...
I carried a 3" model 60 then a 640, both .38 special versions, for 3 years or so. Even though I was pretty proficient with them, and don't mind a DA trigger at all, I found I shoot just about any semi-auto I picked up that much better and have since moved on from them.
I use to carry a Rossi 44spl and did for years.
Now I carry a Ruger SR40c because it is more comfortable but one thing I miss about carrying a wheel gun and that is a wheel gun never jams.
time to time i carry a jframe, its lightweight and reasonably flat. When im clothes that dont offer much concealment (tucked in dress shirt, slacks etc) i will carry either thunderwear or ankle
When not on duty I normally carry a 4" or 6" Colt Python. Sometimes I will carry a 3" S&W model 65-3, 4" S&W model 28-2, or a 4" S&W model 10-8. Nothing wrong with a high quality revolver.
late for where I am right now... by the time I get an open top OWB rig that I like it will too warm. however, next cool season I'm toying with the idea of my 4" 629 MG loaded with some mid powered magnums or hot specials.
I carry this when the weather is cool enough here in California to put on a windbreaker for extra concealment. It's my favorite gun to carry as I feel most confident with it.