Seeing as S&W has SO MANY different models and variations/options within each model, I can't get so worked up to the point of hating/detesting/despising one vs the other. Being "skinny/pencil/standard" or "fat/heavy" the eye of the beholder, TEHO, come into play. Some "weirdo's" prefer plastic. They are just guns. Life's too short to get your knickers in a knot over it. My personal preference is for non tapered barrels on the shorter bbl.'s & the longer bbl.'s MAY look better tapered, but there are a bunch of exceptions when looking beyond model 10's. Nothing set in stone for me, if I like it fine, if I don't fine.