in the late 80's I got my 686 with the 8 3/8 bbl. and my friend got the python also with the 8 3/8 bbl. and we would go out and shoot the **** out of them. both shot great and we would trade back and forth to see who could shoot better with either gun. we always called it a tie. the part I liked best was I paid a lot less for a gun that would do every thing, the python could do. but today the python is worth a lot more.