Landpimp... Interesting story and a great looking 686 to boot. Sounds like it was a "meant to be" for you to end up with that gun.

I had a similar experience in my youth with a life changing "run in" with the law, except that instead of ending up with an arresting officer's trade in gun, I ended up with a badge serving with some of the same guys that I had encounters with as a minor.

They were equally surprised about how things ended up in the long run, and said they would have never put any money on a bet if someone had told them things would turn out as they did.

Life is indeed both ironic and strange sometimes.

__________________
Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222