1) Recoil Plate adequately covers that whole area. Breech is fine, too but would more accurately describe the area around the firing pin recess. Periodically put a drop of oil on the little springy nubbin of the cylinder pin, closing the cylinder, and doing a dozen dryfires will lubricate the pin, mechanism, star, hand, and guide trough through the recoil plate for the pin. Wipe off any excess from the recoil plate but leave a visible film.
2&3) Both are fine.
1&3) Will both smooth themselves further with use as the parts wear in.
I played with a 3” 856 UL CH “concealed hammer” at a gunshow a while back, and have seen one on GB.
Caleb, please bring back the 2.5” barrels for the 856s, and tell ‘em we need a .32 UL. I have an older ported 731 UL that is sweet! I recently passed on a cool all deep gray Ti 731, like a fool!
Also consider adding the little adjustable sight on the 2” like on my 3” UL .22 WMR!
And while we're at, tell @jetfire I need a 2" Ultralite 22LR 8 shot.
I have a 856 and a 856 ULCH. now I need a carry 22LR. My wife took my 22LR LCR.
Having shot it enough to trust it, the 856 is my “working hoursl” EDC now. When I don’t need to worry about size and weight, I carry my S&W model 10-8.
My daughter visited from Arizona recently and she always wants to go shooting when she’s here. Of all the pistols we shot, mostly semi autos, she liked the 856 the best and was also the most accurate with it.