Green Frog
Member
I'll chime in here with my opinion (which is worth every penny you are paying for it!) Sometime in the mid- to late '80s I bought a police trade-in Model 66 (no dash) that has been with me ever since and would be one of the last of my guns I would sell. My situation was a little different from what you describe as I was able to take my pick from a table full of them, then go to a friend's parts bin and completely "blueprint" it with hand selected parts. Actually, it's about due for another such rebuild now, but is shot so infrequently that it is no longer an issue.
The point I would make here is that as long as the frame is not significantly damaged, all the other parts are readily available and easily replaced, so even if something is wrong with a police trade-in K-frame, you are not out of business. If the price is fair and you have an inspection with return option, just get the gun in hand and inspect it (or have it inspected) for severe damage or wear, and then enjoy it. The only specific check I would urge would be for throat erosion and/or barrel cracks caused by excessive use of the old high speed 110 and 125 grain bulleted loads, and even this, unless the frame has sustained damage, would not eliminate the gun from a potential rebuild. If you want it, then by all means buy it and enjoy!
Froggie
The point I would make here is that as long as the frame is not significantly damaged, all the other parts are readily available and easily replaced, so even if something is wrong with a police trade-in K-frame, you are not out of business. If the price is fair and you have an inspection with return option, just get the gun in hand and inspect it (or have it inspected) for severe damage or wear, and then enjoy it. The only specific check I would urge would be for throat erosion and/or barrel cracks caused by excessive use of the old high speed 110 and 125 grain bulleted loads, and even this, unless the frame has sustained damage, would not eliminate the gun from a potential rebuild. If you want it, then by all means buy it and enjoy!

Froggie