I sometimes carry a 342, I use 90 grain Winchester +P+ .38 Special loads in it, they are very low flash and about as much recoil as one would like on a regular basis. Not good on body armor, but otherwise a super load. The gun is very concealable, I use a Brown & Sharpe clip rather than a holster but normally just put it in my front pocket. A .357 in my 640 does not have that much better terminal ballistics out of the 1 7/8 barrel, but it does have an unacceptable muzzle flash. Thus, the 342 seems the more useful creature. Lighter, good ballistics and little to no muzzle flash.
I had a S & W .38 hammerless before the boat accident. If I still had it I’d get it out and practice. It was nice for concealed carry.