I prefer barrel lengths shorter than 7.5", and IMHO, you're less likely to get your knuckles rapped from heavy recoil if your gun has a round trigger guard, or has the flat back trigger guard modified. After the rear sight on mine failed in a spectacular fashion, after repeated firing with very heavy recoil, I consider the factory adjustable rear sight a weak link. Bowen Classic Arms sells an excellent sight they call the Rough Country Sight. In addition to this sight being made from stronger components, rather than a single adjustment screw with a spring loaded sight blade, the Rough Country is windage adjustable with opposing screws; so to adjust windage you back off one screw and advance the other. You can expect to get years of trouble free shooting with a SBH, with the exception of the rear sight, and even it shouldn't be a problem if you stick to moderate loads.