I don't buy all the excuses for the 317. I can shoot circles around the one I tried with my Baretta m21 with several different loads, including Stingers. And that 21 is even smaller with smaller sights.
I don't think you can do better than the model 63. I personally would choose the 5" version they made for a short time if you can find one.
Back when S&W took a long break from producing any 63s and used ones were gold, I picked up a blued Taurus 5" model 94. It's popular to trash all Taurus handguns and the 94 in particular, but mine has been so good that since S&W resumed production of the 63, I have felt no desire to buy one. My 94 rivals my VQ equipped Ruger MKIII Hunter for SA trigger and accuracy. I did have a local gunsmith clean up the DA and slightly reduce its pull weight, but even with that expense I have significantly less into it than the price of a 63.
