This past weekend I traded my 8 3/8, 10 shot 617 for a 6 inch 10 shot 617. I shot that long barrel just fine but it is a little front heavy. This 6 incher is easier for my wife to handle and I like the balance much better too. The one thing I don't like is the rubber Hogue grips that come on the Smiths so I use my drimel tool and the sander and reshape them to my my satifaction. Now I have the gun I want and grips that match my 6 inch 686. Yep, I'm a happy camper.