I've followed this thread now for 8 pages, and don't have a better answer than when I started...
Just to place a bookmark -- at the moment, I'll say that out of my current inventory, it'll be my S&W 60 Pro model. I decided to go with a revolver, so that left out the autos and single-shots. I wanted something with reasonable concealability (for me), so that reduced the size of the gun (frame size and barrel length). I wanted long-term durability, so that left out the exotic metal guns (scandium, aluminum, etc.).
Each reduction in options is painful, to say the least -- even as just a mental "exercise"...
I consider the 60 Pro basically an "over-built" .38 Special revolver. It'll handle .357 rounds in a pinch, but I won't be doing much shooting with those. I'll probably have a speedloader of .357s handy, just in case the extra oomph is needed for some reason (and it's nice to have that extra flexibility).
As my "only" option, I'd remove the IL and plug the hole. I'd have a qualified gunsmith smooth out the action for me (I have a 640-no-dash that I once had worked on for the trigger; its smoothness is unbelievable, and among the reasons my wife decided it should be hers...
). Being a five-shooter, I'd practice the heck out of reloading it.
My only other comment is I'm glad this is just a mental exercise...