I have a 4 and a 6.The 6 is a six shot,the 4 is a ten shot.Both have their purposes.Both are fun.I like the 4 for plinking.The 6,while a bit nose heavy,hangs nicely for more serious target shooting(The 6 also has a target hammer and trigger,factory action job).I have no desire for the extra long tube for any gun,especially a rimfire,where there is the extra weight from having a small bore.
It doesn't matter that much to me,but most prefer the no lock guns-I prefer them solely on aesthetics,as the frame has a different contour.
There is something nice about the earlier six shot 4 inchers,the classic look,the right size,and I think the market reconizes that.
The market also reconizes that batch of lugless 617s as something,and so do I.I'd love to have one of those-wish that Smith would do another run.