No sarcasm, I would like a side-gate even with 22 Shorts. I stuff 22 shorts in my single shot Winchester bolt gun past that mean little extractor and I can't see a side gate being any more difficult.
I don't think a side-gate would preclude the use of 22 Long or Short. It might take more dexterity for the user but mechanically I see no reason a side gate designed for 22LR would not work for shorter rounds. 357 Mag ports work find for 38 Special and shorter cartridges. The issue with short cartridges is usually the lifter not the side-gate.
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A Marlin 1891 with is side gate. That looks like a reasonably finger friendly side gate to me.