Hate to say it, but with either gun your hand will be sore after extended shooting with full power 357 magnum loads. That's just the dilemma with the 357. A gun light enough to carry is not so good for extended shooting. I found this to be true with my own 4" 686. I have a 6" 686 and also a 6" GP100. Both are much better to shoot because of the added weight (plus added accuracy). If you are going to shoot a 4" 357 alot, be sure to try Hogue rubber grips.
As far as finish goes, I have a fuzz-finish, bead blasted gun like the SSR (mine is the 625) and it is not hard to clean at all. However, the advantage of the brushed finish over bead blast is that minor scratches can be readily polished out. I have done so several times. You can't polish the bead blasted finish.