Now I happen to agree with the OP. I can't speak for him, but here's the deal for me.
It don't seem to me that a fine pistol like a 3rd gen Smith would be very likely to break a part. Doubtful. Highly unlikely.
However, unlikely isn't the same as "it won't happen", now is it. Anything can break especially in some people's hands. I've even broken a fiberglass handled framing hammer. Don't tell me what I can't screw up!
Was shooting with a friend once. He had the extractor pop out and we couldn't to save our lives find it in the gravel. It was his carry gun and he suddenly looked at me with hollow eyes as he realized he was now unarmed.
I looked at him, grinned and said, "No parts at home?" knowing full well that I had the part he needed.
We went to my house and had him up & running for free and in no time.
Come Monday he ordered up a whole pile of parts.
So I guess that's how some of us look at it. This thread makes me glad I bought the parts for my Shorty 45s/4516s twenty years ago. (I've also got parts for my RCBS presses, too.
)
Cat