Forgive me if I'm somewhat of a purist, however it may be a "shooter" today, but it will certainly be a collector in 20 years, if not before. If you are dilligent in searching this site and the various gun auctions, I'm certain you will locate a contemporary forearm in time. Be persistent. As far as rechoking, I again would opt to leave as is and try patterning using Polywad's SPRED-R shell or their VINTAGER DOUBLE-WIDE shell to open the pattern. A Silvers pad, professionally installed, would likely solve the LOP issue and would also be appropriate for the vintage. Keep in mind that the quality of metal to metal and wood to metal fit of a lowly "field" grade Smith is precisely the same as their premier "DeLuxe"...it is still a wonderful example of the epitome of the American gun making art!