This barrel thing we'll see about. Otherwise, I can understand being upset about losing specific features that we like & whatnot- there are plenty of things I don't like out there in real life.
But the "new" Smiths I've shot have all been pretty good. The J frame triggers on two M640s are great right out of the box, the 3913 series are great, and the 4" 629 I bought a few years ago is sweet. (I do still prefer the graceful lines of the old blued 3.5" .357's.)
But today's Smiths are pretty good. That lock is ugly, but so are my Glocks, and that morning face I see in the mirror
before my first cup of coffee, shower, and shave.
All in all, S&W has a sweet worldwide reputation, makes revolvers that everyone else tries to copy, and they make some good autos too. Great coffee mugs.
There are some other brands that aren't too bad, but if I'm buying new, I just look at Smith, because I know what I'm getting, and that I won't have to worry about it.
My 2 cents on bashing.........