The S&W 41 is the best choice, provided the price is right, normal pricing would allow you to buy 2 or 3 Rugers or Buckmarks, which I consider good pistols, if you are using an optic, then no reason for the longer barrel, why fight all the extra weight? The shorter barrels shoot just as good out to 50 yrd. I have shot the S&W 22A and it shot well, did not shoot a thousand rounds worth, but it functioned and shot well for the 50 rds I put through it. If your serious get the 41, just getting started, then I would go with the Buckmark and have fun. If you got a deal on a 41 for 300 bucks, buy it and run.