I used to have one of these:
Big heavy barrel and small grips, it'sone of the worst balanced handguns I've ever shot, however, shooting a few clips thru it in stock form then following up with my 586 always produced the best groupings from the S&W - the nose heavy Ruger really makes you work on your shooting skills.
I later added big, contoured, wieghted grips which made the Ruger a heck of a good target pistol with it's 1/2 a carbine 10" barrel and LR ammo. All for under $200.