My two penny's worth. First on the carrying and feeling undergunned.
Seems alot of folks are worried about the "More than one" issue. Anytime there is more than one subject there is a leader, he's the first to go if he's brave enough to stay after you present your gun. Most folks don't feel like getting swiss cheese syndrome, and more fights/altercations are stopped by the presence of a gun, more than using one. I for one carry a J-frame most of the time, and with two speedloaders and a strip feel fine about my option. I also practice regularly with my 640ND from 7yds out to 25yds. Lots of folks think you can't hit anything past 10yds with these snubnosed guns. They are just as accurate as their bigger famliy members, and can surprise you if you take the time to practice with them. You not only need to be shooting them, but dryfire practice too, as you want the strength in the hand and muscle memory to make that little blaster perform. I know there's all kinds of exotic ammo now on the market being pushed for these guns and other little ones. To me the finest round you can get for the J-frame is the "Old" 158GR-SWCHP+P from Remington, Federal, or Winchester. They have a track record yet to be beaten by anything out there right now. Another very good one in this loading comes from Buffalo Bore, they use extreamly soft lead with a gascheck, and it will penetrate and expand. I carry the J-frame for protection, not because I know I'll get into a gun fight. If I knew that, I'd stay home, or if I had no other choice I'd be packing a rifle and high cap pistol, plus friends!!!!!!!!!
Second, on types of J-frames.
I for one have no use for all the lightweight "J's". They may be comfortable to carry, but most are not comfortable to shoot extensively at the range i.e. 200rds in a session. With the little blasters you need to be good with it, in the lightweight models thats probably not going to happen, unless you have a very high pain threshold, plus shooting those lightweights are eventually going to do damage to the nerves and joints in your hand. The difference in weight between the lightweights and all steel guns isn't that much, and if during the cooler months your packing a 30 to 40oz firearm, why are you carrying a 15oz or less J-frame? At least with an all steel J-frame your more likely to practice more, and become a better shot with it.
Third, on calibers, and holsters.
I don't know who the "brighttard" at SW was that thought putting the .357mag into one of their J-frames was, and then following it up with the same caliber in their "Unobtainium" framed guns should have been sent packing.
Its not the issue that you can, or that the gun may handle it, but can you draw and fire two rounds center of mass at 10yds in less than 2 seconds??? Some may, but I imagine most won't. The Chiefs Special was designed to shoot .38spl, which it does great.
Holsters; Pocket carry is all the rage nowdays, try drawing it while your seated at your desk, favorite resturant, or while in your vehicle. Pocket carry works great while standing, but a proper belt or IWB rig works from all those positions.
So there are my two cents on the matter, and you can take it for what its worth.
