I used to own an 8 3/8" Model 17-3 and I foolishly sold it one day when a guy offered me a lot more money than I had paid for it. I remember it fondly. I'm not the world's best shot but that gun made me look reasonably competent. At 25 yards offhand I could easily produce 2-3" groups. I've never been able to do that with another handgun.