Originally Posted by RightWinger

Its all a matter of opinion I reckon, me personally I prefer the -4. Of course I like it because it's pre-lock, no MIM, and has the HMFP, but I also like the rounded rear sight that is on the newer models as well, I think it looks nicely finished. The case coloring to me looks very sharp as well, and I prefer that over the chrome flashed hammer and trigger. The -4 did vary as far as the cylinder latch goes though, some had the newer one and some had the older style one. I have 3 686-4's, and all are 2.5 inches, but the 7 shot one had the older latch. I'm not sure if the older latch is MIM or not. I must say, I like the newer front sights how they have trashed the red ramp, I always hated that and thought it looked cheap and poorly crafted, not to mention it left little options to be able to change it. Changing the red ramp is the last project I have for this gun, I have since bobbed the hammer but have not gotten a updated picture of it since it's been bobbed.