Many, many, years ago, mid 1960’s, I was a member of the USAF pistol and rifle team. We competed against the other branches of service. All shooters agreed:

The jamamatic M16 was ok at short range but couldn’t compete with the Eddystone 30-06 at 100 yards. Nice toy, no kick, but accuracy and dependability sucked. Lightweight, easily carried, and the shooter didn’t have to be a marksman to toss a lot of small lead. Jammed a lot. Lots of dead soldiers found with a jammed gun.

Lots of guys enjoy the civilian version, the AR15, but it doesn’t check very many of the boxes.

I have a bunch of pistols(short guns). Various calibers. S&W, Colt, Browning, etc. Revolvers and semi’s. Also a Taurus Judge. I have my own range, hand load, and shoot all of them. I’ve rarely had a failure to fire on any of the revolvers with my hand loads. Over time, the Judge has become my favorite. It’s always in battery and never misfired. Inexpensive so I don’t worry about scratching it up.

Why is it so maligned?

I have a S&W 640 Centennial in .357
Love that pistol, spouse used it on his concealed carry shooting proficiency test.

I don't like the air frames, I want a pistol I can bash a head in with if needed.

The airweights are so easy to carry though, if the situation has digressed to the point I’m using the pistol as a club, I’ve already dropped it and am stabbing throats with the gerber.

Ive not shot a snubby .357 but have shot a .44 Taurus 4” ported barrel. Forget it. First shot is accurate, uncomfortable to shoot, I’d be better off with a .22 mag.

The mid frame .357 are nice. That’s my favorite pistol round.