for me it was a .357 Maximum T/C Contender with a 10" barrel, no scope, and the factory grips which had a half-round rubber back insert and walnut sides. No scope.
First shot of full power load- the rubber insert deforms, opens up a crack, the flesh of my palm goes in, then the crack closes. OWWWW!!! I threw the thing in to the snow, it hurt so much, then held a snowball for an hour. I was not able to shoot for a week- blood blister an inch and a half long right in the middle of my hand.
That grip got put away for a shaped walnut grip and a scope was mounted. Recoil was still very harsh. It was my first T/C barrel and I endured the hand beating because the fireball was so much fun close to dusk.
As for the Ruger Vaqueros- although I prefer the Bisley grips I don't understand how anyone has a problem with them. (Although I shoot one handed (Yes, even up to .454 Casull- be the willow, not the oak), maybe a two handed grip makes a mechanical difference?)