Avery: I can't add much, but that was a great question. Another gun that's nice but way too expensive is the Model 65 Lady Smith. That too has a 3" inch barrel -- and is remarkably like a 3" Model 66 (it has a shroud around the ejector rod unlike other 65s), but without the adjustable sights.

As for being able to handle full magnum loads -- you are right -- it is not as heavy as the L-frames, but most K-frame guys shoot 38 Special anyway. I suppose some of the appeal of the K-frame over the L-frames is that those old K-frames were a bit lighter, sleeker -- which made them a bit more elegant. And when you put a 3" barrel on that sleek frame -- it just looks perfect (and as Beat Trash pointed out, the longer ejector rod guarantees positive extraction.

I have a 3" 65 -- that's as close as I am going to get.