I think you got a great deal on a shooter-grade gun.
The grip damage is consistent with what I've seen from guns carried in a holster; if the former owner was left-handed, the left side grip is the one that ends up hanging out in space and will get banged against doorframes, bumped by closing vehicle doors, etc.
Any sign of holster wear on the sides of the barrel at the muzzle? I couldn't tell from the pics you posted.
In any case, nice find!