A medium-framed 4" 357 is what I use, lately loaded with 38's, since I am already going deaf.
My Taurus model 66 derivative is as good as my Rugers and Smiths, but I may have gotten lucky. I have had a couple, one made in 1987 and one in 1990, and liked them both very much.
My Smith and Wesson model 10 is nice. I got it used within your price range less than a year ago.
My FiL has a GP100 that he got new for about $600 OTD. I would think a used one could be found in your price range. From the looks of it, I would think it would be durable. It is a great shooter.
I have an SP101 in 327. Due to its smaller size and weight, I would think shooting 357 out of one might not be fun.
Those are the ones I have owned or shot a lot.