Feeling Compelled to Get Rid of my Colt

C

ctom3

Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2010
Messages
26
Reaction score
13
I have a Trooper MkIII with 4" barrel that I originally bought new in 1972. I sold it to my brother when desperate for cash, then got it back when he passed away in 1983. It is a very accurate gun with nice trigger pull and has always handled any magnum load I have been willing to run through it. It is in excellent condition, except for some wear at the muzzle from 6 months of holster carry 39 years ago.

Here's the thing. I own a Mdl. 10 and 14 whose trigger pulls, balance and accuracy are wonderful. They have made me less interested in the old Colt and I have been thinking about selling it to get either a 27 or 28. Since I put no more than 500 rounds per year through it, I am not very concerned about wearing out any of them. Does anyone have enough experience with both the Colt and the Smiths to offer an opinion in performance differences? There's not much reason to make a change if there isn't.
 
Register to hide this ad
The Trooper is more like a 686 or 19/66 than a 27/28 as far as size and heft. For what Troopers are going for these days that might not be a bad straight trade for similar condition guns. I would treat any Colt DA revolver like how I treat my Model 19’s. Parts are getting hard to replace on any Colt DA revolver just like supplies of combat magnum barrels are drying up. And good luck finding a good gunsmith to work on it for anything. That would be the biggest reasoning for me to sell one off but would also be my biggest issue with buying one. But I bet you could find someone with a decent holster worn 28 that might go for a straight trade.
 
Thanks Bob, good points. By the way, I just found an old thread covering much of this subject. Sorry for the repeat. However, I would be interested in hearing opinions on differences in handling. The MkIII stocks are a little on the large side for my hands and the grip angle is enough different than my K frames that it doesn't point quite as naturally for me.
 
I bought two in 1969-1972 era. The 4" quickly got out of time and spit lead everywhere so that I couldn't use in on a firing line. The 6" was perfect. Extremely accurate with any load...seriously. I wish I still had it. It was a tough revolver and a tack driver. Now I have S&W model 27's with 5", 6", and 8 3/8" barrels. Frankly they are more sturdy than the Colt but, only the 8 3/8" S&W is as accurate as that 6" Colt Mk III was. I'll stick with the pinned barrelled S&W's though.
 
you & that Colt have a lot of history...I think you'd live to regret it...besides, until you have a dozen .357's, you don't have too many (for some guys here on the forum, multiply that by 2 or 3)...

but seriously, I remember reading in the late 80's or early 90's an article by Massad Ayoob where he was praising a Trooper III range gun that had over 250,000 rounds (mostly .38 probably) through it and it was going strong...

I have a Trooper III in Nickel, but I have other revolvers for range duty...

regardless, I think you should keep it...you've got too much time & family invested in it to just trade it off...
 
I bought a Trooper III, 6" blue myself in '72. It was accurate enough but I didn't care for it's design nor the way it felt in my hand compared to the S&W Model 27's. I sold it in '74 and never regreted the sale.
 
Most true Colt lovers aren't particularly enamored with the Mk III models. You gun has family history but a S&W from the 1970s would have more class than a Mk III Colt.
 
Most true Colt lovers aren't particularly enamored with the Mk III models. You gun has family history but a S&W from the 1970s would have more class than a Mk III Colt.
Click to expand...

personally, I'd rate a Model 27 in equal condition as higher class...but not a Model 28...

a really clean Model 19 about the same, but admittedly I'm talking class - not trigger pull & inherant shootability...

nonetheless, I can't dispute SaxonP's assessment above about the Trooper III & Colt collector's...but it is a 70's Colt, that factory's last good decade...
 
Consider it all.

You have gotten expert advice on the merits of both the Colt and the Smith & Wesson from very knowlegeable forum members, but perhaps there are other things you should consider. If you were at a gun show and located the Colt that you previously owned, and that had been owned by your deceased brother, would you buy it if you had the money? I think I know the answer. Fortunately, you already have the gun, the history, and the memories associated with it. Maybe you should keep them and acquire another Smith & Wesson when you have the funds and a burning desire that eclipses the history of your Colt.
 
If it were me I'd keep it, if for nothing more than sentimental value!
I had one for a short time, a friend was short on cash so I helped him out only after swearing that I wouldn't sell it as he wanted to buy it back.
3 years later he did and yes I did shoot it. It struck me as a beefy sixgun that was very smooth and accurate. So yeah I'd keep it. Dale
 
This being a S&W Forum you're not going to get much in the form of an arguement for keeping the Colt for reasons other than sentimental.

In it's own right the Trooper of that era isn't a bad gun to shoot and own. A good pistol smith should be able to do some trigger work to improve the feel. I have shot one that a friend owns from the same time frame and must admit I much prefer the S&W trigger pull, especially in double action. Not all that different in single action. I own both 27's and 28 and prefer them over pal's trooper.

I'm one of those that would feel sentimental attachment to the Colt after all these years and the family connection. If money is not an issue, I'd probably just buy another gun and hold on to the Trooper.
 
Thank folks, I'll probably hang onto the Colt unless someone comes along dangling a deal in front of me that I cannot refuse. I have a couple of other guns that have more of my brother's "finger prints" on them than does this one and I have other significant momentoes of his. For reasons that should remain personal, the memories attached to the Colt aren't entirely warm and fuzzy. So, the gun's primary value to me is as a shooter. It does shoot well, but doesn't have the magic feel to it that my two K frame Smiths have.

I am more of a shooter than a collector and have a little difficulty buying additional guns of the same caliber when there are other calibers I have yet to acquire. The main issue is whether or not it is worth some extra money put into going to a Smith and gain a little more feel in a gun that I only shoot occasionally. Its sentimental value only serves to push the tipping point on a decision a little further out. I figured that I would get a pro Smith reaction on this board just as I am likely to get a pro Colt response on one of their boards, but I was hoping to get some feedback from someone who has hands on experience with both. I got that from some of you folks and I appreciate it. I always welcome everyone's opinions.

Funny thing, I had bought a Ruger Security Six that I used during the period my brother had the Colt. I couldn't hit the ground with that Ruger! When I got the Colt back and started shooting it, I realized that the problem was with the Ruger, not me. I traded it for a set of new motorcycle tires and never regretted it. By the way, I own a couple of Rugers that are very, very good to me, so my beef was with that Security Six, not the company.

Thanks again!
 
Last edited:
I say hold on to it, but if you want to sell let me know. I own 3 Colt Trooper MK III's in 4" and 6" both blued and nickel. Love to shoot them as well as the Smith's that I own. Each has its own feel and character.
 
I think everyone is different, but I have found no other gun that feels as good in my hands as an N frame Smith& Wesson. A 5 inch barrel highlights this feel.

Wingmaster
 
I bought a Trooper for $200 from a co-worker who needed the money. I shot it and liked it okay but prefer S&W triggers over Colts. After a couple years I traded it on a S&W Model 25 and got much more in trade than the 200. It had no sentimental value to me and I traded off a couple more Colts after that too.
Guy that sold it to me came back last year wanting it back as he missed it. He was a little miffed when I told him I traded if off and I had to mention I made a little profit off it. It's okay as he didn't like me before much.
 
A 6' blue Mark III made in 1976 was my first revolver purchase, and I am still in love with it. The action is not as nice an N Frame Smith, but it is bull strong, beautifully finished and points extraordinarily well for me. I would never part with mine. I did replace the original grips for some larger smooth target grips which make it feel even better in my hand. I've never shot a 27, but compared to my 29 and 57 the Trooper has a totally different feel in the hand. The N's seem to sit more on top of the hand while the Trooper is more like an extension.

mkIIIp1.jpg
 
Last edited:
yet another consideration...there is a segment of colt collectors that consider the mark 3's as "sleepers"meaning they are affordable at this point but...they are very nice guns with a good potentile to go up in value...i have my 4" from 1976...has never given me a problem..
 
The Trooper Mk III feels like the Model 19 to me especially in size.

The Model 27/28 is a much larger gun with larger target grips as well.

The Colt has a unique feel and a much different trigger and grip angle,
I would probably choose a S&W 27 over a trooper III if I had to choose just one.
Thankfully I do not have to and My vote is keep both.

On a side note I would choose a Colt version of the AR15 over the S&W .
 
I had a tricked out Python, it was a beautiful revolver and quite frankly it was the pistol of my dreams until---until I tried a S&W M29. With .44 Specials I could shoot circles around my Python, so I sold it and got a M29.
The Python had a lot of memories (it had been my duty gun for a long time) but I'm not a collector. If I have a firearm it must perform and be enjoyable to shoot, and accurate guns are enjoyable to shoot IMHO.
My current Colt is an ol' slabsides 1911;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
New Python vs. Model 27-9
2
Replies
28
Views
3K
Fishinfool
Fishinfool
ddeanjohnson
  • Locked
WITHDRAWN -- Collection reduction: 40 guns (15 S&W + Colts, etc.)
2
Replies
26
Views
10K
ddeanjohnson
ddeanjohnson
B
  • Locked
Spring Cleaning Grips, parts, accessories
Replies
6
Views
1K
Buford57
B
ddeanjohnson
  • Locked
WITHDRAWN. WTS: Collector downsizing-- 26 collector handguns
Replies
10
Views
6K
ddeanjohnson
ddeanjohnson
ddeanjohnson
  • Locked
WITHDRAWN --WTS- GUN BOOKS -- MAKE AN OFFER
2 3
Replies
45
Views
8K
ddeanjohnson
ddeanjohnson

Latest posts

Back
Top