the barrel is 4inches shorter,plus no thumb cut , but the weight is the same for both the new rifle and the old ???,,,,the problem with RIGBY is that they are too easy to copy ,ive said it for years there is not much to the overall rifle outside of the barrel i think they at least got the barrel to look right tho i would want at least 24 if not the original 26 and yes the flag saftey is nice ..paul