Larry,
I bought the new .22 four-incher SP for the 8 rounds, quick loading & ejection, the barrel length, and those sights.

I'm not a huge fan of fiberoptics, but I've gotten to where I just ignore the green dot. The sight picture presented is big enough & squared enough that I can use it as a normal front post & disregard the light pipe.
The profile doesn't bother me from the side, either.

I worked with the 5-inch 63 a while back, liked it, didn't want a lock. (Just me. )
Worked with the 317, same.
Both nice guns otherwise.

I have a minty S&W Model 34, like it a lot, too nice to carry, but it does get fired.
Have 3 Ruger Single-Sixes, including a $1200 Clements beauty.

I don't much care for the DA pull on the new .22 SP, but as I said- I won't be shooting it DA much at all.
Otherwise, very durable, very beefy, no lock, don't need to worry about the finish, more accurate than the 34, quicker to load & unload than the Singles.

I had El Paso Saddlery build me a Tanker holster for toting the Ruger in the ATV above the regular beltgun, also fits the new .357 SP four-incher.
Works great for my needs, I know other opinions vary.
Denis