When I was in college, I wanted a PPK/s in the worst way. Couldn’t get the money together, but always wanted one. Years later, found a rental at a range and finally got to shoot one. Tore two parallel grooves onto the web of my hand where the slide rode over the web of my thumb. I bled like a stick pig. Screw this! Fast forward 30 years, and my FIL buys one and we go to the range. I think “Well, I was just holding it wrong. I’m much more skilled now.” I shoot his. Two parallel ruts in the web of my hand. Much bleeding. You can still see the scars if you look close.
I use that story in my NRA Basic Pistol class under the category of “Try before you buy.”