I'm not sure how much handgun experience you have, but I STONGLY suggest you buy a .22 auto to use on grouse, and shoot the *censored* out of it. You'll get way more use out of the .22, and it'll help you become a better hand gunner. The recoil is almost nonexistent, and now that .22 ammo is more available it won't kill your budget to shoot the heck out of it. Hunting grouse with a .22 handgun is right near the top of my hunting list.