I'd snatch it up in a big hurry. One of my favorite .357s of all time is the 2.5" 686. It is so well balanced, it's like pointing your finger. A 3" would be even better because of the longer ejector rod.
I have never found them hard to shoot. I'm just an average shooter, and back in the good old days when I had to qualify every year, I never shot under 100 with a 2.5" S&W Model 19. Like the short barrel 686, it pointed really nice.
Getting a .357 for your first gun is a great choice.