Any idea how old it was. The old military models are a little fragile, the newer S&W models can take some pretty stiff reloads.
I really like the 625 S&W put out in the late 80’s. Plus full moon clips are inexpensive. You can buy a hundred for about $50 which gives you 600 rounds ready to go with reloading almost as fast as with a semiauto.
As a bonus, if you reload, the clips keep the rounds nice and tidy, much easier than scrounging through the grass for spent brass.
Before the 625 there was the 25 (and pre-25) which came in a 6 1/2” barrel only for target shooting. Several noted gunsmiths in the 50’s and 60’s did police conversions on these, cutting them down to 4” and slicking the action. I’ve got one from 1959, and it is sweet.