CCW Non Snubbie

I'd personally look at either a K-frame smith or an I-frame Colt in .38 special with a 4" barrel. Those still conceal well, don't cost much at all used, and were the duty gun of pretty much all arms of law enforcement for the better part of the last century.

I have a pre-agreement Smith & Wesson model 629 .44 magnum six-shooter with a three-inch barrel that I carry when my lower back permits the extra weight and bulk. I like to carry four-inch Pythons now and then on the theory if you're going to lug around a gun, it might as well be pretty.

A 3" model 64 or 65 S&W are great choices. If you can find them a Smith 694 (44 special L Frame) is very nice.

Considerations

3" round butt S&W model 66 is favored for this purpose. They are scarce though. Any 3"-4" RB S&W K-frame that appeals to your eye would do well. Colt Diamondbacks are nice too.

Consider a 3" barrel SP 101 -- you can actually shoot .357s in practice from that gun.

Well, if you are a Ruger "nut," and are pleased with your GP100, consider a fixed-sight 3" or 4" GP100 or 3" SP101. Fixed sights make a revolver less tall, and I have noticed a difference in ease of concealment between GP100s with fixed and adjustable sights. My 3.06" SP101 is a new addition to the herd, and is a SWEET concealed-carry gun, that balances more toward the muzzle than a 2.25" SP101.

An SP101 may only hold five shots, but I carry more than one SP101, or an SP101 plus another weapon, mitigating that concern.

Others have mentioned various S&W K-frame revolvers, and you can't go wrong there, except, of course, follow the recommendations in the sticky post; don't buy someone else's problem.

i have a S&W 65-3 with 3" barrel that i carry on occasion and i dont recommend a revolver with a hammer.

3" K frames are made for IWB/OWB, but the 65s are expensive in the rare 3". I picked up an older Taurus 66 3" at a gun show and it's a fantastic shooter and a good IWB carry, but I'd really rather have a round butt. If you can find a round butt 3" K frame for an affordable price, good on ya, but for me, I'd look to a 3" Ruger SP101 which is easier to tote than even a 3" K frame, thinner, lighter, though it does give up a round in the cylinder for that comfort. But, for me, that's really not a deal breaker. Down here in the hot south of the Republic of Texas, I pocket carry, though. If Texas ever passes that open carry thing where I'm not so paranoid of "flashing", I may get another SP101 and this time in a 3". I'd carry it OWB, just don't care much for IWB all day long. The Hogue grip on that thing gave it a GREAT profile for carry.

JMHO, though, what you asked for, I believe.

To be a little different, you could consider a 3 or 4" Charter Arms Bulldog. They're kind of uncommon and pack about the same wallup as .45acp.

I've got a 3" Rossi 68, old interarms gun bought in 1981 for my step dad so I could get back my grandpa's M10 he'd willed me. I have both guns now since my step dad passed on. That little Rossi is a GREAT little shooter and very well made gun. I've had trouble in the past with a Rossi, broken firing pin. A smith fitted a K frame pin to it and it was fixed. To this day, Rossi has had problems with firing pin breakage. But, mine has been going well for a while now. I've owned 7 Rossis, this one and a .22 M511 I've kept.

BY CCW do you really mean concealed? Is a 3" snuby in your book.
3" S&W command a high premium but a model 13 in 3 or 4" is a champ. If weight is more important than length. The S&W model 12 in 4" is an unsung hero of all-day carry. It is alloy. A .38 not .357.
(cant speak to other brands)

4" Colt King Cobra or MK III Trooper gets my vote. While they aren't "ideal" CCW pieces, they can be carried pretty well with a good holster. I have a Tex Shoemaker pancake that I use with my 4 inchers. It holds the gun tight against my side and easy easily covered with a shirt tail.