I own the 22 Long Rifle, and owned the 357. The 357 was brutal. It was like slamming your hand in a car door every time I fired it. I have SP101s, a Model 60, and several other small 357s. NONE are anywhere near as bad as the LCR. I sold it.
I kept the 22 LR LCR. My wife likes shooting it. She has close to 10,000 rounds through it, and has never had an issue. It shoots well, and the sights are dead on at 10 yards. Her eyes aren't the best anymore, and the small sights were difficult for her. I put a Crimson Trace laser grip on it, and she has claimed it as "hers"