My smith&wesson K-frame has well over 2000 rds thru it and still fires groups like its fresh out of the box. Imho, revolvers are fine for home defense, but theyre tough to conceal (because theyre not slab-sided) unless you shorten the barrel and give up accuracy. I'd rather carry an extra couple of ounces (in steel and/or ammo) to be a bit more comfortable with something I wear for hours on end. My friend feels as you do though. He loves the reliability and compactness of small revolvers (he carries a 5-shot, 2 1/2" colt detective model), and he thinks Im nucking futs. Opinions of difference have we to discuss, young jedi!!!
Gotta add: my dad just said he tried to carry a specially customized and shortened colt diamondback concealed years ago but it just got too uncomfortable by 2:00pm. He got real pissed, cause he spent beaucoup $$$$ getting it customized. His substitute was going back to his colt officer's model in .45 that weighed even more than the diamondback, but he says it fits so close to yer body it feels lighter. He's been carrying that for at least 20 years now. He loves my .40 Sig for its smooth operation, but wont part with his .45 out of habit.