I like the fact they made a little bit lighter, half-lug version, but then again, its not that much lighter than the 8 3/8" versions...I like the X frames, and own the 8 3/8" .500, its real sweet. all depends on what youre going to use it for...I think it makes a great gun if your hunting Bear with dogs, or hunting pig. Lots of gun for close encounters. but if youre going way out in the woods hunting something like deer or elk, Id be taking something a bit lighter, if I plan on packing it around for a few days, because it is heavy a gun and part of the reason I havent put optics on it and the other reason is because I dont think Ive met anybody whose had any 1 piece of glass last past 300 full house loads.