I had a M57 (.41 magnum) with an 8-3/8 barrel. I bought a full-flap holster(basket-stamped, suede lined), for it and carried it on a belt like a bandoleer, slung under my left arm. Being short, it was too long to comfortably carry on my belt. After a short time, it became apparent that the long barrel made carrying it in any fashion was not going to be comfortable.
I had to choose between it or a rifle when deer hunting...not practical to carry a rifle and that handgun as a hunting back-up. One or the other.
A handgun with a barrel that long arguably fits a smaller, more focused niche (silhouette, handgun hunting, very long range), than a gun with a shorter barrel.
To protect the gun was the motivation for my choice of holster. It was beautifully blued, drop-dead gorgeous.