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09-25-2011, 08:03 PM
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28-2 vs colt trooper
hello all....between these 2 firearms what would be the most desireable in reguards to shooting and overall value....being both were in the same condition....thanks....
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09-25-2011, 08:16 PM
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The original 38 trooper will fetch more money, it has the same lockwork as the later Python and is buttery-smooth.
The 28-2 will approach that smoothness over time/shooting, but is more commonly encountered.
The 28 is easier to service, parts are easily available, while the Colt requires the ever more hard-to-find gunsmith with experience, there-in. Parts are more difficult to find.
For a shooter, the 28 is a better, over-all, choice (practically speaking).
I love both - Embrace Diversity!
Mike
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09-25-2011, 08:50 PM
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If you are discussing the M28 vs the Colt Mk III Trooper, the S&W is the better gun, hands down. The Mk III has a coil mainspring action that was designed to eliminate the hand fitting of the older V mainspring action, as found in the Python.
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09-25-2011, 09:11 PM
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Some additional technical info regarding the Colt Trooper and the S&W 28.
The Colt has a 1 in 14 left hand twist, and the S&W has a 1 in 18 3/4 right hand twist.
I'm not sure, however, the thinking may be that most shooters are right handed, and the torque of the right hand twist would tend to twist the gun into the hand, and the torque of the left hand twist would tend to torque the barrel in the direction that it is screwed into the frame.
The vintage Colt Trooper is essentially a Python with a 4 inch round barrel.
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09-25-2011, 09:13 PM
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Both cost about the same in my neck of the woods but if forced to choose between the two I would choose the Model 28 first mostly because I prefer the feel of the big N frame Smith .
Last edited by Engine49guy; 09-25-2011 at 11:00 PM.
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09-27-2011, 01:07 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muley Gil
If you are discussing the M28 vs the Colt Mk III Trooper, the S&W is the better gun, hands down. The Mk III has a coil mainspring action that was designed to eliminate the hand fitting of the older V mainspring action, as found in the Python.
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No, the above Trooper is the older Trooper-not the Colt MK III Trooper. In fact, with those fully checkered Colt target stocks that Trooper has to be from 1960 and older-because, these target stocks were last originally installed in 1960 production.
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09-27-2011, 01:51 AM
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Agree that is a Trooper not a Trooper MKIII I had a Trooper MKIII that I had to sell during hard times. Loved that revolver Although I am a Smith & Sig man I would take the MKIII.
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09-27-2011, 03:37 AM
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Just on looks alone, I would have to go with the 28-2. It's just a burly handgun. Love it!
Besides, what do you expect to hear on this forum?
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09-27-2011, 05:28 AM
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I had a Colt Trooper and a MKIII. I still have my 28.
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09-27-2011, 05:59 AM
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My vote goes to the 28.
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09-27-2011, 08:33 AM
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The two are nearly identical in form and function. As for value, Colts seem to be rising faster than Smiths. The Troopers were under-valued for a long time and I made several killer deals a few years ago but now they are catching up.
PS: The full coverage checkered stocks on PH-2's Trooper are now fetching close to what S&W "Cokes" will bring so add that to the value if a Colt is wearing them.
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09-27-2011, 01:20 PM
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09-27-2011, 01:30 PM
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09-27-2011, 01:43 PM
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Feralmerril, those are absolutely beautiful stag grips on your Model 10.
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09-27-2011, 02:05 PM
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Thanks. I cant even remember how or where I got them. Probley 40 years ago. I have two more stashed, one needs minor work on the screw hole, the other on those metal half moon inserts. It broke off. Think they were made by ajax. When I collected in the 70s they werent a fraction of the cost of now. Think I have 5 or so various pairs on guns and in drawers. Actualy that model 10 aint a model 10. It`s a old M&P from about 1953 to 1955. Bought it about 5 years ago for $280s. Some woman said it was her policeman fathers. It had goodyears on it and looked almost unfired. Just lately I come to appriciate it more and usualy take it on quad rides. It`s light, accurate, and a sweetheart to pack.
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09-28-2011, 10:03 PM
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I have a 27-2, 29-2 and a Trooper Mark III. The Colt is butter smooth in both the action and the trigger pull. I am a SW guy but the Colt is staying with me. Whenever I let someone shoot the Colt I usually get a "WOW". Brian
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09-28-2011, 10:13 PM
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I like the Larger 28.
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09-29-2011, 01:47 PM
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This is a S&W forum so I bet most here would say the M28. Ask over on the Colt forum and I bet you get different answers.
Odd that you are so specific on the M28-2 and only say Trooper as there is much more variation in Trooper, Trooper .357, Trooper MKIII and Trooper MKV models than in HP, 28, 28-2, 28-3 models.
My personal opinion is, considering condition etc are equal, I would take a Trooper or a Trooper .357 over any version of the M28. I would take a M28(any version) over a Trooper MKIII or Trooper MKV.
The M28s are just to big for the cartridge, IMHO. The MKIII, and MKV Troopers have aways displayed triggers that were way to heavy and gritty for my tastes.
That said, a S&W will be easier/cheaper to get parts/service for if anything goes wrong than any Colt will.
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09-29-2011, 01:53 PM
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Colt Trooper!
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09-29-2011, 02:20 PM
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My take after owning both a 27 and a Trooper MK III--
For a collector- Who cares, you're going to by both anyway at some point.
For home defense- Either will be fine. Colt is smaller and lighter. If you miss with 6 shots, throwing the M28 at the bad guy would be the 7th shot and most lethal.
As a .38 shooter- Either will be fine.
As a .357 shooter- Pick the N frame. My Colt MKIII is mint, but the frame is stretched a bit and it's out of spec on endshake. Special machinery is needed to correct this in Colts so it's a trip back to CT or to Pittsburgh Handgun Headquarters.
Last edited by vl5150; 09-29-2011 at 02:23 PM.
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09-29-2011, 02:25 PM
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Both the S&W 28 and Colt trooper are excellent revolvers.
The Colt is a smaller frame which was originally designed for a 41 cal. cartridge while the larger S&W N-frame was designed for a 44 cal. cartridge.
If you plan to only shoot in the SA mode then eiyther will provide you with excellent accuracy. If you plan to do any DA shooting then I would opt for the S&W which is also much easier to tune for a lighter DA trigger pull than the Colt.
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09-29-2011, 03:22 PM
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I own many of both, but prefere the Colts.
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09-29-2011, 05:06 PM
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When revolvers rued the roost in buleye CF and 45 stages during the late 1950's and through the early 1960's in northern NJ the Colt's appeared to be favored for their SA triggers. Personally I could not see the difference in accuracy but the local gunsmith made some wonderful ultra short action Colt's which ruled in that locale for some time.
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09-29-2011, 05:23 PM
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Tough call. I just got my 2nd .357 Trooper, if I see another M-28 at a good price I will get-I suppose my nickeled 4" M-27 could "pass" for an M-28. I would go for the Trooper, been out of production longer (1968 vs. 1986), the Trooper is one of the Great Underappreciated revolvers IMHO.
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09-29-2011, 06:24 PM
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Since somebody mentioned it, and this has become quite the lively thread:
...my only other Trooper iteration, a Mk III.
Mike
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09-29-2011, 06:37 PM
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I've never even seen a Trooper! Not too common around here, Colts of any kind seem fairly rare. I always thought Colt's looked kinda generic and "unfinished" with the ejector rod just hangin' out there loose under the barrel..
I did recently see at a pawn shop a Lawman Mk III. Had a 2 1/2" (?) barrel and "service" type grips. Fixed sights too, which, I guess is what made it the Lawman rather than the Trooper. I LIKED that gun! The handle was MUCH better than the typical S&W service type grip, which I always found way too skinny at the top (and too fat at the bottom!). BUT, it had screwdriver pry marks on the edge of the cylinder and one or two other places. And though it worked and cycled fine, that kind of thing always freaks me out, so I passed on it.
Last edited by Stophel; 09-29-2011 at 07:53 PM.
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09-29-2011, 06:56 PM
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The Model 28 Smith has a larger frame than a Colt Trooper or Trooper Mark III & Mark V.
Older Troopers using the V spring action are buttery smooth (DA), though Smith's single leaf DA action is shorter, plus Smith's SA firing mode is superior to the Colt (quicker lock time).
Another area to look at is the cylinder lock-up, ie, S&W cylinders are secured both fore and aft, Colts typically are secured at the rear of the cylinder, only.
Hands down, the Smith model 28 is a stronger, heavier duty revolver.
I collect Colts and Smiths, and each revolver bears unique mechanical features, making either desirable to own.
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10-14-2011, 12:33 AM
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I know this is an old thread ,but the original Colt Trooper was in 38spc.
In the same time era they made the Colt 357 Mag,and thats just the
way it was roll stamped. It was so popular that Colt lenghtend the
barell and put there best finnish on it and called it the Python.
The Colt Trooper even in it's best or latest version would never be
worth as much as the Colt 357 Mag.
For collectability the Colt 357 Mag would be worth more,but about the
same as an early Smith Reg Magnum.
I would rather have a Mod 27,Reg Mag,or a Mod 28.
JMO Bob
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10-16-2011, 03:50 AM
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The 28. Never been a big Colt fan. I like the looks of the S&W guns a lot better than the non Python Colts.
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10-16-2011, 03:19 PM
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The trooper mark III is a much closer gun to the Model 28 with it's later more "Smith like" action. It doesn't have the more finely fitted action that the earlier trooper (and 357) did and is seldom as smooth. Neither feels a bulky to me as the 28 does.
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10-21-2011, 10:46 AM
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If the Trooper is not a MkIII or Mk V and you decide on not buying it-please let me know where it is as I would be interested in it.
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10-21-2011, 02:00 PM
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Actually I would compare the Trooper, both the Old Model and the Marks III and V to the S&W L frame. It was to compete with the Python-which uses the Trooper's frame- that S&W developed the L frame.
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10-22-2011, 04:33 PM
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I have the Trooper III and I like it but not as much as my smiths, the double action as well as the single action seems gritty and not as smooth as the S&W. The Blueing on the Colt is a much darker deep blue than Smith.
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10-22-2011, 04:55 PM
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Being a S&W guy, I'd have to say that I'd rather have a Model 28. They are seriously over-built,and one could hardly ask for more in a revolver.
That being said, there is nothing wrong with owning some of the older Colts'.
I remember years ago,I owned a Colt Officers Model Target in 38 Spl,made in 1906.
The action was smooth as glass.The groups I shot with it were amazingly tight..
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10-22-2011, 07:37 PM
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I have this old thing.
I believe it to be a 1955 model.
That said, I don't shoot 38Spl much, but it is nice and has that Python action. Thing is, I don't know where to send it to get serviced, so I don't use it really.
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10-18-2013, 07:43 AM
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I own both and I lean to the Model 28 for weight and accuracy, both are with 4 inch barrels.
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10-18-2013, 09:11 AM
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If it's a later Trooper, no thanks......They weren't the greatest revolvers Colt ever made, by any stretch.....
I would prefer the 28.
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10-18-2013, 11:03 AM
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I have both--in fact besides the .357 Trooper (old model, of course!), I have a couple of .22 Troopers from the 50s. All are very nice guns.
However, should they need service, good luck finding a pistolsmith who understands the arcane, symbiotic ballet that is the old Colt action. The S&W Model 28--you can probably fix it yourself if something goes wrong.
Also, should you decide on the fine Trooper, invest in a new mainspring--you can change it out yourself--these lose power over time and sometimes result in light strikes.
Also, be aware that Colts lock up just as the trigger is pulled all the way back--don't assume a timing problem just because the cylinder doesn't lock when operated slowly.
If I had to choose, I'd go with the Model 28, but either will serve you well and the Trooper is a bit lighter and smaller.
As for the Mk. III- Mk. V Troopers--not a fan. I know they can be reliable guns, but I've had them apart and they simply don't compare (in my opinion) to the lockwork in either the old model Trooper or the Model 28.
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10-18-2013, 11:16 AM
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No contest - the Trooper .357 or the ".357" (basically the same except for finish quality) are preferable any day to the clunky 28. The full-checkered Type I Colt target grips alone will bring $500 easy, and perhaps double that in excellent condition. I have used a ca. 1960 Colt .357 extensively for over 20 years. The only repair ever required was a hammer V-spring replacement (see previous posting). Springs are cheap and is a simple DIY job for anyone. Of all my revolvers, the .357 is the last one I would part with. The market must feel the same. Cheap Troopers are rare. Cheap .357s don't exist.
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10-18-2013, 12:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt
No contest - the Trooper .357 or the ".357" (basically the same except for finish quality) are preferable any day to the clunky 28. The full-checkered Type I Colt target grips alone will bring $500 easy, and perhaps double that in excellent condition. I have used a ca. 1960 Colt .357 extensively for over 20 years. The only repair ever required was a hammer V-spring replacement (see previous posting). Springs are cheap and is a simple DIY job for anyone. Of all my revolvers, the .357 is the last one I would part with. The market must feel the same. Cheap Troopers are rare. Cheap .357s don't exist.
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Spot on with the Colt .357/Trooper comparison to the 27/28 HP.
I found this mint first year Colt .357 (ser.no.811) with fully checkered grips a few years ago. Muzzle is still "in the white" as they were back then. I could probably get more for the grips than I paid for gun with grips!
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10-18-2013, 03:45 PM
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So what's the difference between a Colt .357 & Trooper? The .357 was just absorbed into the Trooper line but otherwise the same?
I bought my 6" Colt model 357 about 6-7 years ago for $325 (same full check'd grips as above). It was about $25 more than my 28 (that had Pachmeyers), but Colts have appreciated more.
I still can't pick (for shooting) the Colt over my mod 28 (1967, "S" s/n), the 28 has a far smoother action. I've only ever felt two Colt revolvers that had better double actions than my S&W's; that was a Custom Shop Anaconda & a 1965 Python. I'm not too impressed with my .38 Officers Match compared to my 14, I've also got both 1917's...there is no comparison.
Believe me, I've tried to "expand my horizons" with Colts... but I keep ending up with S&W's, Springfields, and Ruger (& one USFA) for single actions.
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10-18-2013, 03:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 44wheelman
So what's the difference between a Colt .357 & Trooper? The .357 was just absorbed into the Trooper line but otherwise the same?
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Just like the 27 vs the 28. The only diff was the Colt .357 supposedly had a nicer finish and smoother action than the Trooper. (though my .357 finish is nothing to write home about compared to my Python) The original .357 was dropped in 1961 in favor of the Python. The original Trooper went on till 1969 when the Mk.III was introduced.
Last edited by mkk41; 10-18-2013 at 04:00 PM.
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10-25-2013, 06:12 AM
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My late brother loved Colts, but wasn't much on Smiths. I'm complete opposite. For some reason the Colt butts just dont'seem to fit well in my hand and Smiths feel perfect. Other than that I really can't comment since Colts dont' fit well ... I never bought one.
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10-25-2013, 05:09 PM
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28-2 v. Trooper
I also own both. My Trooper is not nearly as pretty as those posted here but it shoots great - lockup is still tight, action is silky, and as accurate as any handgun I own. Not bad at all for a gun made in 1966, and which has been both carried and shot a fair amount over those years. But I love my 28-2 just as much. The Trooper is a bit smoother in double action but other than that, the main difference to me is in weight. The Trooper obviously is easier to carry, but the Highway Patrolman just soaks up the recoil of even full house magnum rounds. If you get the opportunity, get at least one of each - they are both terrific revolvers.
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10-25-2013, 05:17 PM
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for those who worry about where to get colts fixed, pm me I can get you a few names that still work on them.
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38spl, 586, cartridge, colt, ejector, endshake, gunsmith, l frame, lock, m28, model 10, model 19, model 27, model 28, n-frame, registered magnum, ruger, screwdriver, sig arms, stag, trooper |
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