Locks aside, you seem to be asking S&W to alter their current philosophy (We will be successful if we build our products at the lowest possible cost.) to that which prevailed for their first 100 years (We will be successful if we build the best possible product for the price.).
Will they/Could they do that?
Most certainly, starting shortly after you give them a reason to do that. They'll damn sure do something when they take notice their stuff isn't selling.
Are they aware of all your fussing and fuming? Of course---but that's not enough.
Then too, consider the sales volume of their autoloaders. Is that enough to keep them happy? I don't know either, but then again, I no longer care---haven't cared for a good long time.
Ralph Tremaine