WM, I did the exact thing you're looking at a couple of lustrum ago. In 44 I didn't notice that big a difference, at least not that affected cowboy shooting ranges. The longer barrel does shift the feel a little, would probably be more noticeable in a 38/357, but in 44 or 45, to me at least, wasn't that big a deal having dealt with long and short Colt style revolvers as well. Nowadays I tend to prefer the longer barrels, eyes aren't what they used to be, although my stable is full of short ponies.