The merits of different makes / models / sizes / weights / quality / service support /
et.al. of small carry revolvers have been debated endlessly here. Do a search on "small .357s" or some similar phrase and you can find all the advice and opinions you want.
I went through this decision process last spring--and I decided a lightweight revolver would be much more likely to be carried daily than a SS one. I had carried a SP-101 in the Nineties--but a lightweight appealed to me now. After doing some of those searches I suggest above, I bought a S&W M&P340, put Crimson Trace Grips on it, and set about learning to shoot it.
FYI, that is a lightweight j-frame (13.3 oz), and lightweights are absolutely no fun to shoot with hotrod .357 loads. Suitable ammo can be found in 38+P loads: Current Internet favorite factory PD ammo seems to be the Speer 38+P 135-gr load, or the Federal 38+P 129-gr round.
There is a whole subgroup of afficiandos here for the S&W 642 / variant lightweights, and there is a another subgroup for the 340. I suggest you look at both of them; there is a wealth of information there....
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=282173
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=138658
The 640 subgroup particularily also focuses on group process, so read fast and be prepared to skim.
Finally, if you want a Single Action option, you really couldn't go wrong with one of the new (.38/357) S&W Model 60s with a 3" barrel. It can even be carried concealed, and works beautifully holstered.
None of these are cheap--a 340 with laser grips will push $1000.00 now, and they can hardly keep this model in stock. The 642-442 (38+P only) are much cheaper--around $400.00, and the 60-3" will come in under $600 with the recent price increases. But--having owned Rugers, and deciding I wouldn't take a chance with a Taurus as my primary carry gun--I can say I really am satisfied with the S&Ws.
Jim H.