My 686-6, 6" developed a bur on the forcing cone around 4,000 rounds. S&W beveled the forcing cone on their dime. The tip of the firing pin broke off at around 6,400 rounds. I replaced it with a Cylinder and Slide extra long firing pin because I couldn't find the standard S&W pin. Its been completely reliable with the after market part. I just topped 7,000 rounds a few weeks ago, of which less than 500 were factory 357. I have less than 25 38spl rounds in the gun (I find them to be unexciting). Maybe 300 148 gr. HBWC handloads in 357 brass. The remaining rounds have been moderate to hot 357 handloads.
Many will tout the strength and longevity of the Rugers but I feel the Smith is truly up to a steady diet of magnums. My particular example has roughly 2,000 125 gr. fireball rounds through it. I've also given it a few hundred 180 gr. loads which achieved an average velocity of 1,232 fps with load data suggested by Cast Performance.
I'll refrain from posting the obligatory picture because it looks like all the others except I have some well worn tiger stripe maple grips on it. Use your imagination.