I paid $1469 for a new 97 in 44 special - 5-1/2", no options. The local Sportsmans warehouse ordered it for me. I think you have a fair quote there. I recently paid something like $1400 for a used 97 in 357, but it has the octagon barrel and micarta grips, and I paid $1250 for a used (barely, something like 150 rounds) 97 in 45 colt, and that included a FA holster. So, they cost what they cost - I'd pull the trigger on it, if I was you, pardon the pun...