Lot's of info and opinion here so I'll throw in.
66- I like the S & W 60, even tho I traded one.
Keeping the Hammerless Airweight version because of weight. Yeah, you're not going to practice a lot in one day as it's hard on the hand and it's definitely not your 25 yrd firearm, but it's SUPER light and with specific short bbl +P SD rounds ( I load Hornady CD+P), it's an efficient CQB firearm. At just slightly over a lb loaded, it's easy to carry all day long.
On several occasions, I too carried my GL19 and 2 mags in excess of 8 and 9 hrs. Yup, pain in the back and legs but then again, I was standing all day.
On the second day of both of these occasions, I swapped out to carrying my GL43 w/Pearce +1 extension (22 ozs) and 2 mags and never knew it was there all day long.
Granted, again it's not your 25 yrd firearm but you're talking close range defense and aren't most shootout encounters within 5-8ft ?
All day long I'd op for the 43, under 6 hrs I'll take the 19.
Worried about the 43's 7-8 round max? Improve your reloading technique !

Either case I'd like the .38 on my ankle which suffers no ill weight issues.