As far as preference, I like the barrels with the shrouded ejector rods, as opposed to the full underlug. I mostly shoot large calibers, so I guess the added weight wouldn't be a problem, but I don't see it as necessary. Yeah, to my eye, tho' I like the look on a Python, I don't see it needed on a Smith, at least not on all of them. (I'd like to see the IL go away with the full underlug barrels. Not likely, am I wrong?)