This was anything but easy. I originally offered him something like 375$ but he was spouting off about how much more it was worth. I thought I was being fair. He wouldn't bite even at 400$. Then I took a gamble. I told him to go to a shop, see how much they would offer him for it. He lives someplace with strict gun laws so I figured handgun merchandise wouldn't move as well so shops would try to buy low and sell high. I was apparently right. So now I am buying it from him at a significantly reduced price. Its my first S&W wheel gun. Love my Ruger already, special place in my heart for it. But I think I will enjoy this new one, too.
The only other things he has to be relieved of is a Beretta Cougar in 9mm which I am only mildly interested in and a Smith semi-auto in .40 which I am not interested in. He thinks the Cougar is Berettas full sized semi-auto. I should get a Beretta 96 or 92 just to show him what a full sized Beretta looks like.
I wonder if this a deal that would make C.R. Sam proud.