I'm as "new blood" as it gets. 30 years old, just got into guns last May. I wanted a polymer gun badly, but was really put off by the way Glocks look. I admire their simplicity and ruggedness of design, but I also don't want to open my safe and go, "Auuugh, what is that???!!! Oh, it's the Glock I bought."
Little by little I started to get more attracted to revolvers. Especially after I bought my first over/under shotgun. Yes, the gas-operated autoloader shotguns are more whizz-bang, but I liked the simplicity, ease of cleaning and reliability of the over/under design. Kinda carries over to revolvers. Especially since I reload, I can handload a lot more variety out of my handloads compared to autoloader pistols that need a specific range to function in.
That said, the internal locks don't bother me as I really don't have a choice in the matter. I don't really care for the Rugers, and the only older Smith & Wesson I like is the Model 27, and those are out of my budget.
I also don't buy the "not enough rounds" argument about revolvers. Especially in California, where 10 is the max, no matter the caliber. Plus, nobody has ever said I'm disadvantaged with "only" 6+1 rounds in my Remington 870 TAC-2.
Cameron