[srbell]

It can work at times, but many, if not most, chords will require that the 2nd finger be used for other notes. I would recommend learning the classic/traditional fingerings for them first, then using the shortcuts or helpers where you can. Barre chords do take getting used to but your fingers will build up the strength needed over time. Dont press any harder than you need, and remember - even though your index finger will be used across multiple strings its really not playing all of them - only those that the other fingers are not fretting further up the neck.