686 vs colt trooper

[Jim Watson]

Apparently unusually, I own and shoot both.
I got a 6" Python for a heavier than K, smaller than N gun for PPC before the L frames came out. It was the marvel of the age with its Colt Custom Shop Tedford action.
But when I traded a foreign automatic for a 4" Python to have tuned by Reeves Jungkind and shoot IDPA SSR with, there was a large element of nostalgia. S&W action work had largely caught up with Colt customization at half the price.

Nowadays, for shooting, it is Smith all the way. If somebody offers me crazy money for my Colts, I will fix him up.

In the meanwhile, my next shooting project will be to compare K, L, N, and Colt in IDPA drills. Got to get that M67 tuned up.

 

[AveragEd]

I did the same thing. When I found my Model 19's cylinder chambers distorted from hot loads the second time, I sold it after S&W kindly replaced the cylinder again and replaced it with a Python.

I then bought Pythons in every barrel length and finish but only ever shot that first one, a blued 6" for which I still have a Safariland basketweave holster (why?). Boy, do I ever wish I had them to sell today!

Ed

 

[sw282]

l am fondling in my hand now a jewel of a revolver,new toy..1930 Colt Police Positive in 32 NP. As New and a true work of art. The difference in the feel of this Colt and my Performance Center 442 makes the action on the J frame feel like a box of rocks.. The 32 Colt cost me $350 because the last guy left his name scratched on the butt. The PC442 was $800

 

[Diablo982]

Although it appears to be a fine weapon, I cannot speak with firsthand experience on the virtues of the Colt Trooper. I do have intimate knowledge of the 686 having owned one for the past 24 years. I can sum up my experience in three words: BEST...GUN...EVER.

 

[Jhamblen86]

Although it appears to be a fine weapon, I cannot speak with firsthand experience on the virtues of the Colt Trooper. I do have intimate knowledge of the 686 having owned one for the past 24 years. I can sum up my experience in three words: BEST...GUN...EVER.

You are very convincing I must say. Maybe it's not a work of art I'm in need of. Maybe I need a refined and perfect work horse. Something that looks and feels good in the hand yet isn't so "delicate" it'll eventually work itself out of time. Definitely gives me another perspective to consider.

 

[Brasky]

I find the 586/686s to be the perfect balance of robust and good looks.
If you want something you can beat the snot out of, you may consider the GP100s or SP100s

 

[BAM-BAM]

If you can try the double action on both...... they are very different in their feel and it will be a matter of personal preference......

For me I like the S&W action and a 4" 686 is my go to SHTF .357...... a 3" 66 is my carry revolver as I tend to avoid shootouts on a daily basis!

 

[Decker]

If it's to add another Safe Queen, the Trooper gets the nod.

If it's to use as a "working gun", then the 586/686 would be the way to go.

Yes, Colt still works on their revolvers, but the S&W is a currently manufactured product that will get good service from the company for a very long time.

No Troopers here, but I do have 3 Pythons and a couple 686's.
Two of the three Pythons may get shot occasionally for fun, but for working carry on my property, I would grab a 686 every time.

 

[imakmst]

I own three 686's. I've owned one Colt Trooper MKIII. Notice the tensed of "own".

Actually, the Colt was a little big in my hand for shooting, while the L frame fits me better. Plus I like SST.

 

[Jhamblen86]

I find the 586/686s to be the perfect balance of robust and good looks.
If you want something you can beat the snot out of, you may consider the GP100s or SP100s

Actually I have tried the SP and loved it. Just hard to find a 3" in my area. I could order it online and have it delivered to my ffl but this has been a rough year. Looking at layaway for this piece.

 

[DR505]

I've never been a fan of Colt revolvers. For me, this sums up my experience, and current buying habits:

Semi-Auto = Colt
DA Revolver = S&W
SA Revolver = Ruger

 

[DD357]

I much prefer any S&W K,L, or N over a Colt revolver. The trigger in the Smith's are better. I you really want to use it as carry gun I'll second the idea of a 13 or a 65.

 

[lrrifleman]

@OP

You need to clarify which variant Trooper you are referring to. I own a MKIII, and I know that the 'smith that sold it to me tried like the dickens to get me to buy the larger framed "original" Trooper. I have a 4" Trooper MKIII that I bought NOS in the late '90s that was made in 1978 (I think).

In doing recent research, I have finally understood the Achilles heel of the MKIII family. The hammer and trigger are made of compressed sintered metal that has a case hardened shell, through a process referred to as MIM. As such, ANY stoning of the surfaces to improve the trigger pull weakens the parts, exposing them to failure. When I had first heard about the sintered metal in the MKIII's, I had mistakenly thought the cylinder was made of sintered metal. Now that I am considering using my MKIII as a CCW, I have had some reservations, not needing a critical parts failure in a defensive gunfight. I asked Colt if they had spare parts on hand for the MKIII family revolvers, and I was told that when they get a MKIII in for repairs, they order parts from Colt Parts, an independent company.

The MKIII Trooper and a 686 are essentially the same frame size. If you are looking at this being a carry firearm, I would seriously consider the 686 over a MKIII Trooper, because of the hammer/trigger failure potential. That being said, if you don't have a trigger job done on a NOS Trooper MKIII, it may take thousands of rounds for the trigger/hammer to wear through the case hardening and fail. However, if you purchase a used Trooper MKIII, you really don't know what the status of the hammer/trigger really is, and it could fail the next time you squeeze the trigger.

I am not trying to be an alarmist or push you away from the Colt, but this is a serious problem with the MKIII family that a purchaser needs to be aware of.