Quoted from IdahoRealtor:Get the Premium if you can afford it. Met is one of the best pins ever, so you might as well pop for the full experience. With that said, Metallica Pro is not what we refer to as a "stripped down" Pro. It's one of the best Pros out there and is a great value. Can't go wrong either way.
p.s. I bought my Premium in July and the hammer has been rock solid. I formerly owned the Pro, which I loved, but the Premium is better and I'm glad I upgraded.
Has anyone else bought a prem in the last six months? How has the quality been? How is the hammer mod holding up?