I bought mine because I really don't give two figs about the lock. I've never had one fail, never really heard of one failing on a heavy gun, and really don't care how it looks. I bought my 686+ because I liked the action and the way it shoots. I have owned a dozen or more Rugers, but the Smith just balances better in my hand than a GP100 be it 2.5, 3, or 4".
I'm an unabashed Charter fanboy. I find them to be better than they are priced, and I have no qualms carrying one when I want something lighter than a full size frame wheel gun. However, they are no where close to the level of polish and fit I get from a Smith. I mean, there is about a 500 dollar spread between the two.
In short, everyone is entitled to purchase what they like for the reasons they have. Personally, the lock on a Smith bothers me less from an anesthetic standpoint than the bill board sized paragraph of legal "don't shoot your eye out, kid!" found on the sides of some Rugers. Then again, none of that matters to me. They could line the Ruger lawyer-speak in gold leaf or paint the Smith lock hunter orange. If they shoot well and fit my hand, that's all I'm worried about.