Nice thoughts, runscott. If you don't mind me suggesting, get yourself a set of Culina "Coke" Target stocks for your 686 and see how it feels. They will also fit K frame revolvers too. I don't own any L frames or K frames but I have 5 pairs of the Culina Targets on my N frames and they look great and also feel fantastic, even on my 44's with stout loads. They should make the K/L frames feel great too.

BTW, it seems like I told you that the Python would more properly compare to the Model 27 (or Pre 27 in your case) than to the 686 or 586. Both are the top of the line revolvers from each company, so should be compared to each other. I had a buddy in the 70's and 80's that had a Python and it was a great gun, but I still preferred my Model 27.