IMO the 4 inch tapered barrel 38's have the finest balance of any revolver you can find. Since the early model 67's are within this category, you've purchase a very fine shooting revolver.

As for the price, IMO that was a bit of a bargain. I paid 500 dollars for my 67-1 in a reported unfired condition and don't regret the purchase one bit. However, it's no longer unshot, I've had the pleasure to putting many boxes downrange.

BTW, the use of 38 +P isn't a problem at all, either in terms of recoil or hardship on the gun. To tell the truth, the 38 +P is a rather mild step up from the standard 38 spl..