IMHO there are FEW ''valid'' reasons to favor a 6 shot over a 10 shot. Anyone who can ''train'' themself to count to 6, ought to be able to ''train'' themself to count to 10 also. Hopefully nobody's carrying a 617 for SD, so that ''reloading in a gunfight'' scenario is moot. Being too lazy to clean 4 more cylinders is shameful. The IDPA angle has some credibility, however. In any event, either configuration of the 617 is a fine revolver.