True of any machine with levers and fulcrums, geometry is more important than a mirror finish on interfacing parts.
Are your 38/44s long or short action guns HawkI? I have both and maybe one of the few who do or at least will admit to preferring the short action lockwork. Shot side by side I swear I can discern a difference in lock time. An early post war K38 with the fishhook or speed hammer may have been the ultimate to come through my hands insofar as having a great action right out of the box.
My 50’s production Outdoorsman is like your 5” you described, if I need to hit something that’s the gun I’m most likely to do it with. Aside from the depth of the chambers and lack of checkering it is every bit the equal of the flagship 357/pre27 of the same era.
