I've shot all sorts of ammunition in the steel-framed 2-inch barrel .38 model 49 I picked up around my birthday in 1971 when I couldn't find a stainless chief special at a decent price- then around $300- $400 each, when I could get a Browning GPO for $125 new. That included most of three 5000-round cases of Lee Jurras Shelbyville factory 110-grain JHPs, at that time the Secret Service load used in their M66s and M27 S&Ws, and a few Colt Python .357s.
I'd guess I've put between 25,000 and 30,000 rounds through it, much of it hot ammo meant for 4 and 6-inch barrelled guns, and by now it looks it. It's loose and somewhat out of time beyond adjustment with new parts. It's done its job and served its time, and I won't be trading it off or selling it to someone who doesn't realize the problems they'd be dealing with, but I'll give it an honorable retirement and replacement. And I'll hang onto it as a spare, but it'll not be one on which I'd trust the defense of my life or that of others, not without a major overhaul.
I don't believe an alloy-framed gun would have lasted as well, but then maybe I wouldn't have pushed such over use on a lightweight gun, and it might thereby have fared better. I do wonder how the Stainless chief I originally was looking for would have stood up. In any event, I expect it'd be looking better.
-archy-/-