I carried a Model 13 S&W (three inch bull barrel, with round butt frame) for years IWB in a Milt Sparks VM II IWB holster. Once you get used to it (about a week) you don't even know it's there. You could load it with some 158 grain Magnum rounds. The kick with those isn't so bad. Or load up some light magnums. Another option if you go the .357 Magnum route, if the recoil is too much, is to get some Buffalo Bore, hot loaded, .38 Special +P. Those exceed the power lever of any other brand of +p .38 Special.
This is a very hard choice to beat. They're hard to find, but there are plenty of Model 10s out there, which are the same thing in 38 Special. And I wouldn't shy away from a 38--it has benefitted as much as the 9mm from recent improvements in ammo and packs more punch than it once did.
Also remember that a steady diet of hot 125-grain ammo tends to crack the forcing cones in older K-frame 357s, so stick to 158-grain or heavier bullets.
Okie John
