I have a 3"+ 396. I bought it as a backup for bow hunting elk in the Montana Rockies. As such it is loaded with 260gr WFNGC at a chronographed 1,000 fps. With that load, recoil is to me, is greater than the 329 PD with magnum loads -- painful with the Hogue Bantams -- mine is equipped with Hogue 500s. It is an absolute delight to carry however.
Here's a picture along with a 3 1/2" round butt Freedom Arms .45 Colt. The pictured gun is a 386 but my 396 looks exactly the same.
Paul