Colt Trooper

[45Wheelgun]

I came across a Colt Trooper. It is minty in a box, comes with a two piece box, papers, and a test target dated 1971. It is a 6" in .357

I was thinking it would be fun to compare and contrast it with my M27 and my M19.

What is the general opinion of the Trooper, and is $500 a fair price for what I describe?

 

[gend1]

I had one in the 80's my wife could hit x ring with it everytime....really put me to shame back then.

 

[Andy Taylor]

If it was made in 1971 it is a Trooper MKIII not a Trooper. Very different gun. The original Trooper is the same gun as a Python without the full lug/vent rib barrel and without the high polish. (Think M28 to a M27) It does have the same hand fit action. It ended production in 1969. The Trooper MKIII has a completely different action that does not require the same amount of hand fitting and was made so Colt could be more competitive with S&W and Ruger on a price basis.
MKIII's are good guns. I prefer a S&W, or an original Trooper, but have nothing against the MKIII. I would jump on one like you describe at that price, and most likely end up selling or trading for a profit down the road.

 

[Richard Simmons]

Go for it. I made almost the exact same purchase back in Sept of this year, "4 inch gun from 1978" for $50 more.

 

[TSQUARED]

The Colt Trooper is an excellent gun. The S&W revolvers always had a better DA trigger pull than the Colt's. In the mid to late 1950's the Colts were prefered for their SA triger pull in bullseye pistol matches.

 

[pred]

It is funny what one will pick up over the years,
It sounds like a good price, And you may never find another at that price! But, Why do you want it?
I picked up this 1956 Colt trooper which is in 38 special, Not sure why I got it, But I believe I paid 265 a year ago.
It is nice to shoot, Increadible DA trigger.
But at times I still wonder why I have it.

Peter.

 

[feralmerril]

The old model trooper is a fine gun. Really one of my favorites and I carried a .357 on my job many yeras. Really, a poor mans pyton. I still have two, one in .38 special and one in .22 LR.
To me they were colt equivlent to the model 19. I found my colts to be slightly more accuarte then my smiths. One other thing I never seen in print, but when I used to reload a lot more, if I got sloppy with my cases, they might not fit the colt but would go in smiths larger chambers. Conversly, the colt would shoot higher primers where the smiths were more finnicky. They were the poor mans python, no rib, lower finish but same guts.

 

[animalmother]

The Trooper is a good gun. I like the King Cobra better, but would buy a Trooper if I ran across a good deal on one.

 

[45Wheelgun]

Oh well...snooozed and lost. I went back on my lunch hour and it was sold.

Thanks for the advise and counsel guys.

 

[mulehide9]

Hey Wheelgun.......I have done that in the past and the only way out of it is to read,read, read. Study up on your favorites. Like me you love Colts and Smith's.You really put yourself at a dis advantage when you go into a shop and see someyhing you just don't know about. It happened to me and sometimes it still does.

 

[redlevel]

Originally posted by pred:
It is funny what one will pick up over the years,
It sounds like a fair price, Why do you want it?
I picked up this 1956 Colt trooper which is in 38 special, Not sure why I got it, But I believe I paid 265 a year ago.
It is nice to shoot, Increadible DA trigger.
But at times I still wonder why I have it.

Peter.

You are right, you have absolutely no need for it. Ship it to me and I'll send you your $265 plus $15 for shipping and your trouble.

 

[johns961]

I have a Trooper MkIII. I bought it because I thought it looked cool. Nice deep blueing. A 4" barrel. A business gun all the way. I take it out when I want to shoot something different. It has a nice double action on it.

John!

 

[b.guggenmos]

I also have a Trooper Mark III in 6" .357. Very nice shooting gun. Really smooth action. My ex father law gave it to me with all the cool accessories like a full belt, holster, 2 speed loaders and holders and then the belt also has the loops for several shells.
I divorced the daughter but I will keep the gun forever. Brian

 

[2152hq]

Trooper MkIII's have a nice smooth action and are remarkably maint. free from what I've seen. I've replaced a broken trigger spring in a couple that have fired many thousands of rounds each, but can't recall any other problems other than just plain wear.
>
The old Trooper with it's V spring action is the same frame and action as the Python (and the Official Police).
>
Another is the Colt Model '357'. Production overlapped the Python for a short time, then was discontinued.
It had a 6" barrel, high polish finish, target sites and target walnut grips. I bought a very nice one last year for $200 at a show, then resold it. Beautifully smooth action & the timing was still good on it

.

 

[kdm2]

I paid $400 for this NIB Trooper MK III last year at auction. I haven't been willing to fire the first shot yet.

 

[Andy Taylor]

Originally posted by 2152hq:
Trooper MkIII's have a nice smooth action and are remarkably maint. free from what I've seen. I've replaced a broken trigger spring in a couple that have fired many thousands of rounds each, but can't recall any other problems other than just plain wear.
>
The old Trooper with it's V spring action is the same frame and action as the Python (and the Official Police).
>
Another is the Colt Model '357'. Production overlapped the Python for a short time, then was discontinued.
It had a 6" barrel, high polish finish, target sites and target walnut grips. I bought a very nice one last year for $200 at a show, then resold it. Beautifully smooth action & the timing was still good on it

.

You paid $200 for a Colt 357 a year ago.

You should be arrested for theft.