Cylinder length isn't the main factor in strength and durability of a revolver. Size (Diameter) and thickness of the steel at its thinnest point is more important.
Same for the frame generally speaking.
Take a side by side look at the cylinder of a 6 shot .357 N frame and K frame guns. There is a significant difference in their sizes. Compare the thickness of the steel between the chambers, and between the chambers and the outside edge of the cylinder, and also between then chambers and the locking bolt notches.
Now consider any other mechanism subject to pressure and operating stresses, made of the same materials and to essentially the same design. The lighter mechanism normally has a shorter service life than a heavier built one.
I've had several N and K frame .357s over the years, love them all but in different ways, as they are DIFFERENT guns. They were designed with different ideas in mind, and each does its intended job very well.
Don't care for the L frame, the muzzle heavy balance turns me off.
I WON'T have a .357 J frame, I don't care for the recoil.
If you want to run heavy loads in .357, use an N frame and accept the weight as part of the deal. There's no free lunch.
IF lesser loads are adequate for your use, a lighter gun can also be adequate.
Same for the frame generally speaking.
Take a side by side look at the cylinder of a 6 shot .357 N frame and K frame guns. There is a significant difference in their sizes. Compare the thickness of the steel between the chambers, and between the chambers and the outside edge of the cylinder, and also between then chambers and the locking bolt notches.
Now consider any other mechanism subject to pressure and operating stresses, made of the same materials and to essentially the same design. The lighter mechanism normally has a shorter service life than a heavier built one.
I've had several N and K frame .357s over the years, love them all but in different ways, as they are DIFFERENT guns. They were designed with different ideas in mind, and each does its intended job very well.
Don't care for the L frame, the muzzle heavy balance turns me off.
I WON'T have a .357 J frame, I don't care for the recoil.
If you want to run heavy loads in .357, use an N frame and accept the weight as part of the deal. There's no free lunch.
IF lesser loads are adequate for your use, a lighter gun can also be adequate.