Quick Gunbroker search shows these things going for around 700 NIB, with some examples going for more and some well-used examples going for less. Looks like you're probably pretty close to where you started.
Dunno about cheap, but Buffalo Bore still does a 158 +P lead semiwadcutter. You'll occasionally find some boxes of the Federal stuff floating around of the FBI load, but by and large the market has moved to faster burning powder ammo for snub-nosed revolvers (as seen with the Speer Gold Dots...
I've used the Tornado Tech barrels. Nice barrels. You do have to fit the lug to engage when locking the barrel down, but it takes all of 10-15 minutes with a hand file.
Yeah, they're a great value for what they are. QC is reportedly hit or miss, but mine has been basically perfect. My only complaint is that it ticks pretty loudly. Keeps good time and the chrono functions well.
Here's a run-down of all of the different variants of the re-issues...