Silicosys4 - I have Jim Cirillo's book in which he talks about his idea of the best fighting handgun, if he knew he was going into a situation where it would likely be used.
It was a S&W M29 .44 magnum that had been modified with a 4" ported Dan Wesson barrel and Bo-Mar rib. His reasoning was that with a heavier barrel it was more controllable with heavy loads or could be used with medium loads and be even easier to control.
I am inclined to agree, if i knew there were a high chance of having to use it, of my revolvers I would be carrying my 3" .44 magnum and would have my hand loads of 200 grain xtp's at 1250 fps in the gun and speed loaders, and a few speed loaders of 240 gr. hard cast at 1150 fps for barrier penetration.