Should I buy it? Blued T/C in .45 ACP?

[NewYorkRifleMan]

I went in a local gun store to buy a S&W chief special because my Colt officers model is getting alittle heavy for everyday carry. I always wanted a T/C because of the wide selection of barrels you can get for it. The gun guy had a T/C in blue with wood stock and forearm.  I did notice that it was missing the rear sight but it had the front.  I didn't get to hold it because the guy must have showed me like 4-5 smiths that all have been customized in some way- I didn't want to bother him to look at the T/C.  I believe it was chambered in .45 acp but I could be wrong. Over here in NY, these guns are hard to come by as this is may be the third gun I've seen so far in many years (believe it or not) other than gun shows.  So which leads me to my question. I recall the price tag saying $ 250 or 275

Should I buy it even though its not the finish or caliber I want? I would prefer .44 or .357 in Stainless. Is installing the rear sight hard to do? I can order that directly from T/C right?

I can always trade the barrel for the one I want.

Anything that I should be aware in buying a used T/C ??

I could turn this into a rifle by adding a stock and a 16 inch rifle barrel?

I should have gotten the serial number, i can call him on that one.

Thanks.

[superdown]

sounds like a contender. seems like a good deal and you could trade off the BBL for what you want. If it is a pistol frame then yes you could turn it in to a rifle you should get the serial # and contact T/C and see if was shipped as a pistol or rifle frame. superdown

[skarke]

Good frames by themselves without grips are only a little less than the 250 you quote.  Look it over real well for its condition, and if it is fine, then go for it.

[SLAVAGE]

first off at that price
run  back and make sure its still ther.. then once you get your breath back
haggle with the guy .. if its 250 look at it for a few sec and put it back look at some smiths again... then offer him 20$ less see if he bites.. even if he dont for 250 thats a deal

[Hopalong7]

Most of us have a drawer full of rear sights that we have taken off of barrels to scope so that shouldn't be a problem.  If it's .45acp, they are fairly scarce and you shouldn't have any trouble trading.  Sounds like a deal.  GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt   

[Catfish]

Sounds like a bargain to me, and I would guess that at that price it has to be a Contender. I doubt that you would like it with a .44 mag. barrel as it will eat up your finger. I will not shoot a Contender with a .44 mag. barrel. It`s not because I don`t like recoil, I own 4- .44 mags., 2- .454s and a .500 S&W. The .357 mag. or .357 max. would make excellent barrels for it.

[NewYorkRifleMan]

UPDATE

I couldn't get to the store today so I called him up. Its a 2500XX serial number made in 1984.  I called T/C. The barrel is a 45 Win Mag not a 45 ACP. He wants 280.00 for it. I have no use for a 45 Win Mag barrel and its missing the rear sight (40.00 American dollars from T/C) so I'll trade it and cash for a .357. I buy the .357 now because I already have a 4 .357s (2 marlin 1894, 1 H&R barrel, and a S&W 686). Down the road I'll buy a .44 when I start to hand load and a .22. For rifles, I'll take a .223 (i want .308 but factory ammo is getting up there lately) and I'll go with a black stock and forearm. So..as you can see...I didn't even buy this thing yet and I have plans for it. The cust rep said I can put G2 barrels on it and this model is 'easy to open'. I'm still learning but sounds good to me.

[superdown]

  Go buy it already if you reload the 45 win mag is cool round and get trading if it's not what you want you will be ahead of the game if that matters to you . Superdown

[canyon-ghost]

Already has plans for it, yep, he's going to love it!