I think we shoot what we enjoy and you can justify your chopice in a thousand ways.

I have several 48's and enjoy them all. I have several Smiths of varying caliber and enjoy them too. I don't enjoy the $ the ammo costs but it is the price I pay to have fun. so, I take my 48 6" scoped for squirrel hunting, my 29-2 6"(or 629 6") for deer, my 41's for target shooting....all have their + and -, but I enjoy them all.

I have never had a 48 that I did not find a joy to shoot, and collect, although I am missing a 48-1 6"(most elusive firearm to find) so I can not comment on that variation.

get one, shoot it, enjoy it. they are great guns.