OK as I posted a week or so ago, I've been feeling like a bit of a fraud. How can I call myself a revolver aficionado if I've never owned a Colt??

So, I went out searching. 99% of my shooting is NRA Bullseye style, so a .38 or .357 seemed ideal, just load up with .38 wadcutters and have at it. Python pricess are insane, both old and new. But there are others that seem to have not gone nuts, or at least not yet.

I found an Officer's Model Match at a LGS, but it seemed to be a bit more worn than the price warranted. But then I saw this Trooper .357 at another LGS. I thought it was in very good condition, and I checked over as many mechanical things as I could possibly think or (not being a Colt expert of course, but general tightness, endshake, push off, etc. are pretty much consistent in revolvers) and it seemed really tight. Price was $599, and when I asked the owner said it was firm. I figured I couldn't get hurt too bad for that.

I only snapped two quick pics





I now need to way for my permit amendment to go through. Obviously I'll post lots more pics and give a complete range report once I get it.

So tell me Colt guys, did I do OK? I would think so. Oh and one question; I love the way those stocks feel. Are they what Colt called Target stocks? Are they somewhat desirable? Sort of like Cokes to us, or maybe not quite that much?

I would have a hard time walking away from that one too. I think those grips are pretty desirable and if the gun was made before 1968 it has the same action as the old Python revolvers.
I think your really going to appreciate the gun's accuracy.

I think you got a fair deal. My first new centerfire handgun was a Trooper with 6" barrel. I've owned a similar Trooper to yours for a while now.

Attached Images

Trooper 1969.jpg (165.9 KB, 45 views)

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

I dug out my little R.L. Wilson "Colt's Dates of Manufacture" booklet.

I THINK, if I'm reading right, that I would have one of the last Old Model Troopers made, probably in 1968. Mine is number 801xx, and according to my book 80800 was 1969. Then I believe they were discontinued, and the Mk III Troopers came out.

However, there is a blurb about sharing with Officer's Model Match though, and 80100 in the OM would be 1961. Any real Colt experts, can you shed some light?

I think that’s a great price for a colt.
Prior to ‘68 different colt models sometimes shared serial numbers. If you plug the number in here,you’ll see them. I’ve read that this is still a work in progress..
Colt's Manufacturing LLC

I have a python, trooper 357 and a trooper mk111, the trooper 357 is my favorite, it just feels good and shoots great. you got a quality gun for a fair price..

Looks to me like 1969 also, but I'm no expert...lets call those grips Colt "smileys"...hard to tell if they're orig. but probably so..they fit several models that have same frame size....you're gonna love that sweet revolver...price was good IMHO...go over to the Colt forum, check my info, there are some real experts there

Great gun well bought. Enjoy your Colt.

You did well.

I'd sure be willing to own that one.

Classic Smith & Wesson is my favorite, but there is Colt-ness on hand too.

I like the look of your Trooper better than I do my 6-inch Python.

Good deal all around I’d say. Congratulations.

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John 3:16 .

I think you did very well on the price. Good looking gun.

If you think the price of original S&W wood target stocks is high, Colt has 'em beat. I'd guess that those stocks by themselves, even with the honest wear, would sell in the $250-300 range. I've seen factory new wood Colt target stocks priced at $400-500.

Wilson has been shown to have made up some of his data (never trust him on W II era guns), but here he appears to have been correct. 1968 would be my guess too.

The Trooper serial topic is a bit of a mess because of the intermingling and merging of separate serial strands for the 357, the Trooper 38, and the OMM.

Your gun belongs in the strand that started with the old 357 and continued with the Trooper 357. The Trooper 22 was intermingled with the serials for the OMM 22. The Trooper 38 had its own strand. Starting in 1969, the Mk III serial series with the J included both .357 and .38. For any more detail, you need a real expert

Colt made many FINE Revolvers! Most have better finishes and fit and finish than S&W's do. That said, I much prefer the vintage style S&W action over the vintage Colt actions. The Smiths are simpler, more robust (IMHO) and easier to work on and get parts for.

I do own a bunch of Colt Revolvers and love them as well. They have never given me any problems at all!

Thanks for all the great replies, please keep them coming!

This will truly be a learning experience for me. Since my favorite thing to shoot is just a .38/.357 firing .38 wadcutters NRA Bullseye style, I foresee many pleasant outings to the range in my future. I can't wait for my permit amendment to go through so I can give a range report.

I have the same thing in 4". I love mine.

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Let's be careful out there

You done good! I had one just like it years ago. Only thing I hated about my old 6" pre MK III Trooper was that it was more accurate than any of my S&W revolvers

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

If I had just made that purchase, I'd be extremely happy!

Nice gun! I felt that I needed to try a Colt also. Some years back bought a 4" Trooper. It looked good, and shot well, but it stayed with me only about a year and I sold it. Just partial to Smiths.
Do still desire an older 70 series Colt 1911. Bob