Colt Trooper Mark III versus S&Ws .357s??

[Redcoat3340]

Fella wants to trade a Colt Trooper Mark III for a Sig I ain't carrying or shooting.
What do folks think of these Colts? I have one Colt, a 1917 .45acp, and I don't mind having another.
I get the feeling these would compare to an L frame, not the Ns of a 27 or 28, although Colt seemed to have brought them out to compete with the 28s.
They get pretty much good reviews; anything to be particularly careful of with these? (I'll be checking over at the Colt forum, but I thought I'd ask here...I ain't never got a bum steer from the people here).

 

[1911haulic]

I have one I bought in 1975 for $185 like new. They have gone up in value, but not like the Python. I can't imagine anything shooting better than mine does. In like new condition probably worth $1000, just guessing. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Injunbro]

MKIII are excellent guns, presuming good condition. As far as a trade it depends on which model Sig you have.

 

[hco]

don't dry fire

Don't dry fire the colt, I think the firing pins are MIM, if you break one you have a real problem, I think it is a factory repair issue

 

[lrrifleman]

Redcoat, I have a 4" MkIII that I bought NOS in the late '90s. I personally enjoy mine very much. A point that you must keep in mind is that the hammer and trigger are pretty much first generation MIM parts made of sintered metal. The outer shell is thinly hardened and doesn't react well to stoning, so you can't do an action job. Personally, I would consider any MkIII suspect if purchased used, since you wouldn't know if Bubba had tried to do an action job until the trigger or hammer fail. Colt no longer stocks hammers and triggers for the MkIII, they purchase the parts from a subcontractor.

I would say that the Trooper MkIII was designed to compete more with the Model 19, the Lawman MkIII competing with the Model 13, and the Metropolitan MkIII competing with the Model 10! The MkIIIs were beefier than the S&W K frames, and would compare more to the L frames.

While you may see Trooper MkIIIs selling on GB in the vicinity of a grand, I wouldn't trade a Sig even up for a Trooper MkIII!

 

[Rock185]

Somewhere around '73 I bought a new 6" MKIII. It was an excellent gun, except for a VERY heavy DA trigger pull. Mine never gave any trouble, but how well they may have held up over the years, I don't know...

 

[Safestuffer]

Have them both, prefer the S&W's
The Trooper has locked up on me before, don't know why but it required the side plate to be removed and a disassembly/reassembly to remedy.
The fact that the new Python, which is based on the same lockwork as far as I know, has had similar locking issues, leads me to believe its not an isolated event.
I've never had a S&W do the same.

Other than that, the two Troopers I have have had both had comparable triggers to my most of my S&W's, with a few of my Smiths being slightly superior. The troopers weren't noticeably more or less accurate, and other than the locking issue were fine shooters.

The firing pin issue with the Trooper is disconcerting, especially considering its a factory fix, and I don't know if Colt even has the tooling or parts to fix. It requires a new firing pin and bushing to be pressed into the frame, and I've read that Colt no longer has the jigs to support the frame or the firing pins and bushings to replace...maybe that's changed since the new Python has gone into production.

 

[6string]

The only Colts I would even consider owning would be original 1st or 2nd generation Single Action Army or 1911.
These have become timeless classics with the ability to keep them running thanks to the support of extensive aftermarket parts and service.
Colt has a long standing and poor record for not supporting their own products once they relegate them to obsolescence.

 

[chief38]

Colt's are very good Revolvers. Most are more finely finished and have better bluing than a similar or equivalent S&W. If you are not shooting your plastic Sig I see no reason at all not to trade! IMHO you would be getting the bigger end of the stick! They are also quite accurate, reliable and just beautiful Revolver's. You don't mention the DOM but if it is a vintage model and in descent condition you can't go wrong IMHO.

 

[Fishinfool]

My Take? Values on these guns is high these days, and value wise, it would be a good trade, unless your SIG is some high dollar variant.

As far as the gun itself, I own a MKlll Lawman, and the fit, finish, and accuracy is just as nice, or better than the typical K or L frame Smith. Very smooth DA trigger pull, but it stacks. Its a nice gun. I don't shoot mine much at all because I don't care for the grip angle, or the DA feel compared to my S&W's, and the fact its about in mint shape, so why devalue it when I have plenty of Smiths to play with.

As far as reliability, I have never heard of any serious issues, though parts are harder to find than say a K frame Smith. I wouldn't swear to it, but I think enough of the MKlll's were made over the years that parts can be found if needed, and it shouldn't be brain surgery to repair one if need be, though it may be more difficult than a common K frame.

Bottom line, if you like it, I would get it. If you are looking for a revolver for serious, heavy use, then I would probably lean in the direction of an L frame Smith.

Larry

 

[2152hq]

Most of the internal parts of the MkIII Colt are sintered mfg (early MIM).
There were early on problems of cracked and broken hammers and some triggers. Colt replaced them of course while the guns were in production and shortly after discontinued.
I haven't heard of the problem for quite a while on a MkIII. Maybe the problem pieces have been weeded out though use and time. Maybe a bad lot was in play?

If I remember right, he MkIII trigger.sear engagement was factory set by the assembler with a simple gauge. There should be a set screw behind the trigger on the trigger guard. IIRC that was turned in while the gauge was in place and then 'set' with thread lok.
Something like that....

The springs are all coil or tortion.
The trigger return springs break occasionally. A wire tortion spring but replacements are around. Wolff used to make a spring pac for the MkIII inclu the trigger spring. IIRC you could get a slightly reduced power trigger return spring to for a lighter trigger pull.
You can't go too light on the trigger return spring in search of a better pull as that spring also powers the transfer bar. Too light and the bar drags and the trigger won't return all the way forward.

Some owners/reloaders reported oversized cylinder throats and tight bore dimensions on some guns.
I've never bothered or had the interest to check for that, so I'll take them at their word.
The ones I've shot both .22lr and .357 all seemed to satisfy my pistolero abilities and normal ranges.
Many had very smooth DA actions though another person would complain of 'stacking' in the same pistol,,,go figure.

The MkIII's used to be around for great prices and were great, if heavy revolvers.
The short cuts in mfg were attempts to bring Colt out of their labor & market issues at that time (long labor strike and poor sales).

Vibratory mass polishing of parts, sintered parts, coil springs, ease of assembly with no hand fitting,,all pretty much accepted now,,but at the time it was a big deal and somewhat of a tough sell to people used to otherwise.
The revolver was on the way out as a LE tool at the same time that it was intro'd. That was it's biggest market aim. It did get L/E and security use and with some large agencys as well. But the semi-auto quickly passed it by.

Prices now are crazy IMO for what the gun is. A short cut for production item to take the place of the v-spring actioned earlier Colt.
Not that they aren't a nice revolver, I just don't think they are on the same page as some other revolvers in the same price range.

 

[Grayfox]

I picked up this 6" Trooper MK III used several years ago. As a test I shot it in a direct comparison against a 6" Model 19 off the bench at 25 yards. The Colt was the clear winner shooting considerably smaller groups.
I've been quite happy with the gun and have never let the fabled concerns over sintered or unobtainable parts bother me one bit. I believe this gun will easily outlast me.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

The Trooper Mark III was designed by Karl R. Lewes who also designed the Dan Wesson and the Browning Lever Rifle.

 

[BearBio]

Had a Colt "357" for years (trading back and forth with my Bro for a OM Blackhawk in 41 mag. Good gun. Was stolen by nieces boyfriend and recovered pretty well trashed. Youngest brother was in gunsmith school and he restored/customized it as a school project.

Had a couple of Model 28s. Loved the 4", the 6" not so much! Also a Model 19 snubby= not comfortable to carry.

Always ended up with my OM Blackhawn in 45 Colt when in the fields and a "j"frame 38 for carry.

Now carry a G27 modified to 357 Sig.

 

[bummer]

I owned a Mark III a long time ago purchased from my brother. I was shooting it and the trigger broke off at the pivot pin. I purchased a trigger from Numrich ,installed it and promptly traded it for a Model 19. If I had not lost confidence in the gun I would have kept it

 

[Babysitr]

I have a 6" MK 3 1977 IIRC..beautiful revolver!....mostly a safe queen...my advice is why not?...love my Colts too...yes, comparable to a 586

 

[Texas Star]

David W. Arnold was a gun writer and editor who liked Colts.

As I recall, he told me that he replaced the MK III action parts with MK V non-sintered parts.


Personally, I wouldn't buy a MK. III.

 

[Buford57]

I own and carried a Lawman Mk III 2" as primary or BUG for about 10 years, after which it was my bedside gun for another 15 or so. It never failed me. I was not aware of any problems until the Internet came along.

 

[Muley Gil]

My lieutenant at the sheriff's office had one. The hammer spur broke on his. One day the high sheriff asked to see the LT's revolver. When he drew the MKIII from the holster, the front sight fell off.

I didn't like the grip angle either and felt the action was heavy.

I would pass myself. If you really want a Colt DA revolver, look for one with the older lock work. I'm a big fan of the New Service and have a 5" Official Police in .32-20 that is a joy to shoot. Even the smaller Police Positive Special, in .32-20 or .38 special is a better handgun than a MK III.

 

[oysterer]

I would not trade any kind of sig for any kind of colt.