There is a lot to like about the S&W Airweight, since it is small enough but has the bulletproof reliability of a revolver. But it seems like it might be a little hard on the hands, as light as it is. All the recoil is going to have to be absorbed by your hand on that little grip.
Have you had any experience firing one of these? I know I have never even bothered, since I thought I would never need to know.
I had a Smith Model 37, and even with better grips I disliked shooting anything but the mildest .38 Special loads. And I’m not particularly recoil averse in handguns.
I have a S&W 638 which has the shrouded hammer and is 38sp only. The most I've ever run through it at one range setting was 50 rounds and that is enough. These were +p rounds, so not powder puffs. Not that I couldn't have shot more, it's that it just stopped being enjoyable. I'm not sure I'd want to shoot .357 mag out of that size gun.
In a self defense scenario, you wouldn't even notice the recoil so I'm not sure that's something I'd worry about.
BTW, you might want to look into a custom grip too...helps even more. I have big hands so that was an issue with me
S&W Model 360-1, 357 Mag, Scandium framed, 12 oz. I’ve shot one of these with a cylinder full of 357; never again. It feels the same as holding out your hand and having someone hit it HARD with a 1 inch diameter cane.
I’m not sold on the reliability of revolvers, they don’t stove pipe but I’ve had more rounds down range with fewer problems using a pistol than a revolver.
I’ve only had one pistol become unfirable at the range in 30 years. I’ve had at least a half a dozen instances of revolvers becoming unable to fire the next round without application of tools and in one case a torch.