Regarding your revolver gripe, the best revolver I have has the barrel aligned with the bottom of the cylinder. Greatly reduces the recoil, it's a beast.
http://www.gunsumerreports.com/Chiappa_Rhino_60DS/Chiappa_Rhino_60DS_000.jpg
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This too has the hammer elevated above the barrel. Here is a detailed picture of the internal components that allow this "space magic" to work...