Whats with S&W and their ejector rod shrouds. Many years back, an M27 or M29 had a shroud that covered the ejector rod and just a tad more length...and that was it!

Then came changes such as the L framed weapons and the shroud went all the way to the end of the barrel. ( More weight out front to hold down muzzle jump....etc) And the M629 came out with the same sort of shroud.

NOW I see something that to me is totally weird...and thats a shroud that covers the ejector rod but instead of continuing on its sort of tapered to the muzzle...

I love the 4" barrel length on the M629 I now have but am seriously thinking about a 6" length also...but if I order one...will I get a "full length shroud"...or the hideous looking tapered shroud??

Cosmetics and something new.
EVERYONE now uses as close a copy as they dare come to the Colt Python barrel, so I imagine S&W would like something new to set them apart from the herd.