When I got my 3 inch barreled 357 Mag. I first went out and fired 4 each 38 special bird shot, then I worked my way up to the 38 special 2 each then I fired 2 each 357 Mag. I was pleasantly surprised how well I was able to handle it even with stock grips. However I still ordered a pair of the extended rubber grips and a 9 mm barrel, when it came...