Pat: for steady use with full house .357 magnums, IMHO, you're well served by one of the S&W 586/686 revolvers. As stated by many, the "L" frames were built for that purpose: larger barrel shank, full underlug and some frame modifications produced a truly rugged revolver. The only down side I see is their carry weight...a growing concern for me personally as I approach my mid-70's. But with the right holster rig; the cross chest type you mentioned, that's no longer a problem.
I'm a S&W gun gun & have been for over 50 years now ... and feel Smith's out of the box SA/DA triggers are the industry standard (or at least used to be) and with accuracy that's a given. While I like the older pre-lock models, I'm well aware that they do have weaknesses with a steady diet of hot loads. But as 99% of my shooting, with any caliber really, is at and below 1000 fps, Smith's K frames do nicely in my use.
For me, where I'd want full house .357 loads available in a carry rig, (e.g., for me personally: trout fishing in bear country east of the Mississippi), the cross chest type rigs make the most sense. The same type rig is also very good for rifle deer hunting from a stand...keeping the short gun out of the way while walking in, but still instantly available if needed.
Out west, the same rig works but carrying a forty something caliber revolver is a better choice for defense. In my own experience, I once packed out an elk quarter through 6" snow at high altitude without my rifle...and no back up handgun. On return to the kill site, I found fresh bear tracks in my outbound trail for well over a hundred yards. Why he turned off, I'll never know, but it was the last time I was unarmed in similar circumstances
Best Regards, Rod