To me, a 3" L frame is an oddball. It weighs something like 3 oz less than a 629, carries one less bullet, and is still big enough it has to be belt carried. Also, for some reason the L frame trigger seems to be heavier than every other Smith revolver.

I'm just not a fan of the L frame.

Conversely, my 3" M629 Deluxe is my favorite gun, and I own a bunch. I carry it everyday.

There's a 3" 629 for $665 in the sales forum here (no affiliation). They are $727 Shipped from Grabagun, so that's not a killer deal, but you could offer him $625 shipped.