I have been shopping and researching these lately. If you found one in mint for $700, regardless of year, I think you're more than good to go. If you can handle and shoot it, it's a perfect scenario.
As far as that specific year, I have not read any ills about it. But if there's something inherently wrong with it after you buy it, S&W will manup and fix it.
I can tell you this, my research says that you will more than likely have some type of feeding/ejection issues with certain ammo. I wouldn't resolve any of that, until you find the ammo that shoots the most accurately. At that point, if you have issues, you can look to resolve. usually it's a simple change of the recoil spring, etc.
Why the issues? You mentioned "plinker" and the 41 is much, much more than that. Tight tolerances and match-like accuracy can cause the 41 to be finicky about what it eats, but once you find it's filet mignon, you can't beat it without spending 2-3 times the cash.
The ammo nned not be exotic either. Standard velocity ammo is what it likes best and higher velocity can actually have an ill effect on the barrel. CCI standard velocity seems to get a good rep with the 41. I've used Remington gold round nosed and it likes those as well.
I don't speak from much experience, as I just picked up a used 41 from a friend. I got to shoot two of his and choose the one I wanted. It has eaten everything I've tried so far, some more accurately that others.
You mentioned steel shoots, I'm not certain, but I don't think your gun is drilled/tapped for a scope/red dot. Something to think about if you want to go that route. However, you can buy a 7" or 5" replacement drilled/tapped barrel and usually drop them in. Mine is an early 80s I believe and came with a B-Square mount. Not sure they still make those mounts though.
If you don't want the gun, send me his info and I'll mull around having tow ; )
Be safe
