I picked up a "Thunder Ranch Special" M21 and love it. At first, I didn't even like the idea of them, but after checking them out, they have all of the features I like, and one I don't (the lock).
I like the lightweight tapered barrel and the fixed sights. Even the factory grips are comfortable and I found no need to change them at all. Hundred yard shots on a 14" steel plate are fairly easy, 3-5 out of 6 shots with regularity.
With the cost of .44spl ammo, I cast all my own bullets (Lyman 429421 245gr Keith-style) over a moderate charge of whatever powder I get a good deal on at the time. One thing that too many people do is buy a .44spl and see how hot they can load it, like Elmer Keith did. Guess what, you don't need to anymore. If a standard .44spl load isn't hot enough for you, buy a .44 mag. People doing this is what lead to what I feel was one of the best .44spl revolvers ever made, the S&W 696 3" L-frame, being discontinued. It will withstand a lifetime of standard pressure .44spl shooting, but people kept hot-rodding their loads and kept cracking forcing cones on them. So, thanks to people trying to make the 696 into an L-frame .44mag, we can't buy them anymore. S&W is even out of the parts now to convert a 686 over to them. I know, I tried to get the cylinder, hand and barrel, but no luck.
So, if you have a 696 and are beating on it, thinking that S&W's Lifetime Warranty will cover it, think again. They do not have any more 696's to replace it with, and no more parts to repair it, either. Take care of the one you have and only shoot standard pressure loads out of it.