That's a fair point.
I would theorize that the era the gun was made in plays a role, too. For instance, this model 10:
Attachment 7356
...was made, if I remember correctly, in the mid to late 1950's. It's a lovely revolver, but she will not reliably run through 500 rounds without cleaning.
A more modern revision of the model 10 might well run through a higher round count without complaining. I have a former DOC 64-6 that might be fine through a few hundred rounds without cleaning if I was using reasonably clean-burning FMJ .38 SPL ammo in it. It's a very different gun than the old model 10.
I have a model 28-2 made in 1966 (pinned barrel and recessed cylinders) that doesn't like to keep running if she's dirty. Enough residue builds up in the cylinder and causes a round to sit even the tiniest bit proud and the cylinder drags enough to increase the pull weight dramatically. And that's supposed to be the cop version of the N frame .357 lineup.
Most of my revolvers were manufactured before 1980 and I wouldn't bet on any of them running more than 100-150 rounds without cleaning...and with many of them I'd be surprised if they ran through that many rounds without exhibiting some sort of problem.