Blender is a great modelling program. Once you get over the interface, it's quite efficient to use. I, personally, have never set time aside for learning how to model, but I can still vouch for it because it culminated in the first (and most likely last) time in human history that I actually managed to export
a Source-compatible mdl file!
Just be aware that Blender's exporters for Source are a bit flaky. Of the few compatible exporters available for the program, none of them support every feature of Source .SMD files. At least in the case of the exporter I've used, all geometry has to be merged into a single mesh. Every component of the model must also be linked to one, and only one, armature. Animation doesn't carry over either. As a result, you're stuck with static modelling if you use Blender. However, it's still a very rewarding program to use and you could always export your work to a 3DS Max-friendly format and request that others rig the animations.
If you have any questions regarding the program, consult
this WikiBooks series (only time I
ever use WikiBooks)!