Iowegan...good points there...and carry comfort is in the eye (dare I say "seat") of the beholder, LOL. Too, where you carry on the belt is as important as drop...I carry on the pants belt some of the time..and on a dedicated gunbelt the rest. I try to wear them at the same height...and my belly overhang helps in that regard. My holsters, for the most part, all have the same drop...virtually none as I make the belt flap fold right at the rear of the cylinder...
Balance is another fine point for differences...in my current Ruger stable, all but one, have steel frames...and that 4-5/8" length balances right where I like it...again, in my hand, and for sure, an aluminum framed gun would put the balance point decidedly farther out...muzzle heavy.
And I should have added you to rclark and Dale53 "respect" list. I look forward to your posts...and would dearly like to see your entire Ruger collection...you've posted some beauties over the years.
Best Regards, Rod