"I know where there's a couple for sale here in NM."
I've been looking in the Albany NY area for 3 months and can't find a single one. There are some on the gun auction sites but they are outrageously priced.
Have you been to the S&W Forum?
http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/
They are excellent folks to deal with. I can't recall a deal ever going bad there.
Smiths are getting pricey, particularly pre-war and many of the N-frames.
you check out J & R guns on central avenue?