I am not aware of a no-lock S&W for sale in the the Augusta, GA area for 6 years that was in reasonable condition. Store personnel get first chance to buy I believe. When I was actively buy S&W or what struck my fancy, 16 guns in 14 months came home with me from GB auctions or good deals that I was offered in private sales.
I shopped carefully, knew the market price, and sometimes paid the price
now to get the firearm "early" based on price. I am satisfied with my purchases. My concluding observation is that none of my firearms lost value like my modest stock portfolio did. In the the last month stocks have rebounded. My stocks have made a buck, my guns didn't lose value, and I'm enjoying life.
If you see what you want, the price is affordable, and money isn't tight in your budget, buy the item --
but not on a credit card. If you can't pay 'cash', you can't afford the item.
Normalcy is 2 years away.
