I have a couple of 4 inch pre lock 686's and wondered how the Colt Trooper MK III measures up to the 686. I haven't had the pleasure of firing a Colt, only handled one. I have seen a lot of Smiths sell for around $700 the Colts seem to go north of $800 in good condition. Are they worth the extra dollars?
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S&W 686 or Colt Trooper MK III
- Thread starter Irn-Bru
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I picked up this Colt Lawman MKIII for $800. It was in box near mint with packing grease still on it.
The double action trigger pull is very heavy compared to any S&W that I own. The single action is hard to beat. It is one of the most accurate guns I have.
The double action trigger pull is very heavy compared to any S&W that I own. The single action is hard to beat. It is one of the most accurate guns I have.
Rpg
Member
I'd pay the premium for the Colt.
Apples and oranges.
Apples and oranges.
KnotRight
Member
Had a Trooper that I sold for a Python in 76. I would take the Trooper over the 686. Not knocking the 686 but find the Colt fits my hand better and think that the bluing is better than a blue S&W. BTW I do own a 66 and 686 wishing I had my Trooper, Diamond Back and Python back.
Dennis The B
US Veteran
The MkIII Trooper is a "J" frame, larger than the Python's "I" frame, and closer to the S&W N Frame.
The action is an example of the "S&W v. Colt" argument that's discussed ad infinitum on a number of web sites, and has been around for years.
Colt's "stack" continuously until the sear releases; and S&W's stack up to a point and then stabilize before breaking. Both are acquired tastes, and both have their allies and detractors.
The MkIII guns do have an "Achilles Heel", in that they shouldn't be dry fired without snap caps. Damage can result, and Colt is the only company that can repair them. The actions can be slicked up, but with a serious shortage of spare parts, one should probably proceed with caution.
I have a MkIII built in 1970, and it's a great gun to shoot. Not as smooth as my Pythons, or my pre-MkIII Trooper, but smooth enough.
The action is an example of the "S&W v. Colt" argument that's discussed ad infinitum on a number of web sites, and has been around for years.
Colt's "stack" continuously until the sear releases; and S&W's stack up to a point and then stabilize before breaking. Both are acquired tastes, and both have their allies and detractors.
The MkIII guns do have an "Achilles Heel", in that they shouldn't be dry fired without snap caps. Damage can result, and Colt is the only company that can repair them. The actions can be slicked up, but with a serious shortage of spare parts, one should probably proceed with caution.
I have a MkIII built in 1970, and it's a great gun to shoot. Not as smooth as my Pythons, or my pre-MkIII Trooper, but smooth enough.
Early Colt Trooper.
Your Colt appears to be a Colt Trooper made prior to the introduction of the Mark III.
I picked up this Colt Lawman MKIII for $800. It was in box near mint with packing grease still on it.
The double action trigger pull is very heavy compared to any S&W that I own. The single action is hard to beat. It is one of the most accurate guns I have.
Your Colt appears to be a Colt Trooper made prior to the introduction of the Mark III.
629shooter
Member
I had a Colt Trooper Mark III that I kind of miss. In my opinion, you can't really go with either of them.
But, if I had to choose I'd go with the 686. I prefer the S&W DA. The M686 is still in production and they are a lot easier to find parts if needed.
But, if I had to choose I'd go with the 686. I prefer the S&W DA. The M686 is still in production and they are a lot easier to find parts if needed.
Texas Star
US Veteran
I'd avoid the MK III. They have sintered metal hammers and triggers and Colt had some trouble with those. They were discarded in the later MKV and King Cobra versions.
If you want a gun of this ilk, a stainless King Cobra is the answer, I think.
But the long take-up on the DA trigger and the short, hard action and the very long SA cocking stroke, plus the lack of repair parts and facilities put me off Colt. I've owned pre-MK III Troopers and a couple of Pythons, and cylinder timing wore much faster than on S&W and Ruger guns. They were no more accurate, either, although as good.
If you want a gun similar to a M-686, try Ruger's GP-100.
If you want a gun of this ilk, a stainless King Cobra is the answer, I think.
But the long take-up on the DA trigger and the short, hard action and the very long SA cocking stroke, plus the lack of repair parts and facilities put me off Colt. I've owned pre-MK III Troopers and a couple of Pythons, and cylinder timing wore much faster than on S&W and Ruger guns. They were no more accurate, either, although as good.
If you want a gun similar to a M-686, try Ruger's GP-100.
kbm6893
SWCA Member
I must be one of the only ones who think Colt's are ugly. The shape of the butt seems wrong to me, I don't like the backwards cylinder release or the fact that the cylinder turns in the opposite direction than smiths or rugers, and the ribbed barrel on the pythons does nothing for me.
Don't get me wrong, I wish I had a python. With the prices they are going for, I'd sell it, but 2 mint smith's, and pocket the sizable change.
Don't get me wrong, I wish I had a python. With the prices they are going for, I'd sell it, but 2 mint smith's, and pocket the sizable change.
Goblin
Member
I have King Cobras, but no MkIII, but I've shot those troopers, and the action is the same, except for the metal used. If a well-tuned K/L double action is a 10. I'd say you'll never make a MkIII better than a 6. However, based on my 14 Colts and 10 Smiths, the single action is a toss-up. Since I think everyone should shoot a lot of double action, I'd recommend the 686. If you're going to shoot mostly single action, choose the one that's calling your name. Not everyone likes the lines of every gun equally, nor the feel. Since I already have a large variety, I'd add either of those guns to my collection at the right price, and IMO you can't go wrong with either.
one eye joe
US Veteran
IMHO, THE PRICE OF ALL OF THE COLT D/A REVOLVERS ARE DRIVEN UP BY THE FACT THAT THEY ARE NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. I AM A LONG TIME COLT REVOLVER FAN, WHO STILL OWNS PYTHONS AND DIAMONDBACKS. THE 686 TRIGGER COMPARES FAVORABLY TO THE PYTHON, WITH A VERY SLIGHT EDGE (PERHAPS PSYCHOLOGICAL) GIVEN TO THE COLT…..
THE PYTHON IS A STEP ABOVE THE COLT TROOPER MK III, WHICH IS STILL A NICE REVOLVER. UNLIKE THE PYTHON, THE COLT TROOPER MARK III USES COIL SPRINGS, LIKE A RUGER, SINTERED METAL RATHER THAN FORGED PARTS, AND IS NOT HAND FITTED. I WOULD EXPECT THAT A PRE IL AND MIM 686 WOULD BE A CUT ABOVE THE TROOPER MK III. THE COLT WILL CONTINUE TO APPRECIATE AT A FASTER RATE THAN THE 686, I WOULD SURMISE. LIKE OCEANFRONT PROPERTY---THEY AIN'T MAKIN' ANY MORE………….
AveragEd
Member
Along with a lot of Smith & Wesson revolvers, I once owned Pythons in every barrel length and finish offered as well as Trooper MKIIIs with 4" and 6" barrels. Pythons are Pythons and nothing else is but the Troopers felt "clubby" to me compared to my S&Ws. At the time, I thought that made them more durable than an S&W but I learned from more experienced revolver collectors that the opposite is true.
Given the scarcity of Colt parts and people who can work on them competently, I sold mine when the market for them spiked.
Ed
Given the scarcity of Colt parts and people who can work on them competently, I sold mine when the market for them spiked.
Ed
If I needed a .357 to defend my life, and all I could get was a Mark III Lawman or Trooper, I would accept it gratefully and it would do a fine job. Would I want one as a regular shooter, no.
BTW, Macinaw's gun is a Lawman MK III.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
BTW, Macinaw's gun is a Lawman MK III.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
grip frame
Member
I have had them all (colts). I would take the 686 over them every time.
buck460XVR
Member
IMHO, They are only worth it if you are one of those that needs the Colt to fill your collection or to satisfy your ego by being able to claim you own a Colt revolver. The MKIII is not regarded by most as a "holy Grail" of revolvers like the Python and was not that heralded by Colt aficionado's when it was being produced. Legitimate or not, the outrageous prices demanded for Pythons has influenced the prices asked for all Colt revolvers.
That's definitely a Lawman MKIII. I've got one that's a boat anchor right now. It's about 99% on the outside. But it's locked up tighter than Dick's hat band. You can't dry fire MKIII's, ESPECIALLY without snap caps. I didn't know this a few years ago, and, even with snap caps, something broke. The trigger won't pull back, the hammer won't pull back. It wasn't ever a carry gun so I haven't bothered sending it to Colt to get it fixed, if they would even fix it given their problems right now, and no gunsmith that I've found yet does Colt revolvers.
I think the problems with dry firing and firing pins breaking might have made my mind up. I'd be more concerned about the owner before me doing this, and damaging it somehow. My first choice would be a Python, but finding one in good condition for under $2000 is impossible.
I started my pistol collection with the Colt Trooper, then got a Python followed by a Lawman. Then came my Smiths, Models 19, 686, 686 Plus & 586. The Python was a great gun to shoot. Extremely smooth and beautiful deep bluing. The Lawman and Trooper no so much. All in all I ended up always carrying and shooting the Smiths to the point that I sold all the Colts. My Smith's are extremely accurate, super smooth triggers, very much like the Python.
But it all boils down to which one "grabs" you!
But it all boils down to which one "grabs" you!
one eye joe
US Veteran
SHARP EYE, Kaaskop49 ! ! !
