re: Shot my new to me 357 magnum today for first time.

I would not spend time on SA. Smith & Wessons have a backstrap thats part of the frame, so you can get grips that do not add to the thickness. Taurus often copies S&W. Ruger GP100 does not have a backstrap. Ruger security six does. Rugers are very easy to put the wilson spring kits in, and dremel polish the sears. Smiths, you can bend the hammer leaf spring with a wood wedge.

We did all of our learning on 38 wad cutters.