Trooper Vs. Highway Patrolman

[Retired W4]

This was a faceoff between two of the Titans of police duty .357 magnum revolvers of the 1960's. In one corner is the Colt Trooper 357 with a 4" barrel from 1968, wearing target grips and sporting the wide target hammer. This gun must have spent most of its life in a time capsule with an extremely low round count, as it appears to be practically new. In the other corner is the S&W 28-2, 4" Highway Patrolman from 1965, which is also like new, albeit wearing aftermarket, Magna type grips. Both guns were fed Black Hills 125 grain JHP's and Appalachian Ammunition 125 grain XTP-HP Emancipator. Both brands of ammo use new Starline brass, and what appears to be the same 125 grain bullet. The Colt's trigger pull was a little heavier at 10.5/3.5, Vs. the S&W's 9.75/3. Both triggers were very consistent. The Smith's trigger felt smoother than the Colt's, which might be chalked up to the Colt action not being fully broken in. Time and more rounds will tell if the Colt smooths out. As far as accuracy, I must report that it was a virtual tie. That's a little hard to tell though, as I was shooting without a rest, and my Benign Essential Tremors make for poor marksmanship. Taking that into account I still have to say they shoot about the same. All in all I had a great time shooting these classic 60's .357 revolvers.

 

[CQB27]

Great looking War Horses! I like'm both but I must admit I have a soft spot for the Highway Patrolman!

 

[Retired W4]

Yea, the 28-2 is one of my favorite revolvers.

 

[wnc wheelgun]

Shot my 28 2 hours ago at lunchtime using Federal 158gr SJSP and it is accurate, controllable and makes everyone take notice!

 

[redbos]

I have two Colt Troopers( one 4 and one 6) and several 28-2's. I find that my 28-2's( for me) are a bit more accurate and have finer trigger pulls. Having said that, I really like my 4 inch Trooper, it can shoot better than me! I think they are both fine guns, but I do have a S&W "thing"

 

[Timber Wolf]

Nice, two great guns. I must admit, I like S&W and Colt revolvers and would not want to have to choose between them. I wonder what street price and availability was on each back in the day?

 

[roaddog28]

There both legends in there time. Its hard to determine which one is better. To me both are head and shoulders better than any revolver that is currently produce.
Regards,
Howard

 

[jimmyj]

I have carried both as service revolver back in the 1960-1970 era.
I liked both but preferred the Colt Trooper.

 

[JWNathan]

Excuse the noob question; is the Colt built on their .44 size frame? Great looking pieces for sure! Thanks.
-Jesse

 

[PHB]

I will have to stay with the S/W

 

[sgt.207]

I find my trooper to be more accurate but the hp is smoother.

 

[j38]

Sounds like you had a lot of fun. Did one of them balance better for you than the other?

Jerry

 

[DodgeCity1951]

The Trooper was built on Colt's medium frame, same size as the Official Police and later Python.

 

[JWNathan]

Thanks Dodge city!
-Jesse

 

[lhump1961]

I have not shot either one of those but always liked the Smith "look" better. I have owned a Python...beautiful 6", barely shot with bluing that was gorgeous! As far as shooting the Python it was not for me. The action was the famous "butter" smooth to cock it to single action but it was a long reach to the trigger with the stock grips and could not get used to the way it stacked in double action. Long gone with no regrets.

Didn't mean to hijack the thread to a Python but it is the only Colt I ever owned to compare to a Smith.

 

[Retired W4]

Sounds like you had a lot of fun. Did one of them balance better for you than the other?

Jerry

Actually the Trooper felt better in my hand in battery, but the grip size might have something to do with that. Otherwise they were very similar, outside the pull weight.

 

[Engine49guy]

Great idea for a comparo but I.M.O. the original Trooper might be closer to the Model 15 in size than the Model 28,

The Trooper III was more like the Model 19 both having shrouded ejector rods with heavy barrels,
Both were also offered as .22 lr trainers as well unlike the Model 28 which was not.

 

[Stu1205]

I'll choose the 28-2 every time. That is why I have three of them, and no Colt Troopers.

 

[PATRONE]

I have a Trooper Mk III, love it.

 

[CajunBass]

I don't have a Trooper, but I do have an Official Police Mk III. Good shooting gun.

Colt or Smith & Wesson? I don't know. I like them both.

 

[Horseless Trooper]

I have a 28-2 and a Colt Three Fifty Seven that were both my fathers duty weapons at one time. Although I like the 28 I find the Colt to be a little better handling and easier on the hip for me. I carry the Colt occassionaly at work and it is the gun I throw in the car if I am just CCing a mouse gun.

 

[feralmerril]

I have/had both. I packed the trooper on my job many years and prefer it. It`s lighter. The troopers real competitor is the model 19 or 66. The 28 and 29 are fine but overbuilt to be carrying on the job in comparison to the 19 or trooper. I also own a 4" python and feel the same way about it, I would rather pack the trooper for the same reason-, weight.

 

[Frank46]

I've fired a model 19 and my colt trooper III, and having cataracts does pose problems for me with typical revolver sights. I actually shot better with the trooper III. I took the front sight blade off the trooper and removed the horizontal lines and had a buddy blue it in a matte finish. Worked out well for me. Frank

 

[kennyb]

i have both...i carried a trooper as a duty weapon for several years...both are fine weapons

 

[armsmaster270]

I carried the Trooper, Trooper MkIII, M&P 38, Model 19 and issued Mod 15. I rue the day I sold my Trooper MkIII. I prefer S&W with the exception of the MkIII.

 

[ikor]

Have carried both in my day as well as the Python and M27. Between these two I would always go for the M28...seen several take everything LE could throw at them and keep running just fine. Must be why I own 3 now.

 

[Andy Taylor]

I have owned a few M28s over the years, ended up selling them all. Good reliable guns, and good shooters, just to heavy for me. I carry my 1969 4" Trooper .357.It is fantastic. Accurate and smooth. I liked it so much I bought an identical one from 1967 to keep it company. It gets shot some to, but mostly sits in the safe.

 

[DFrame]

Excuse the noob question; is the Colt built on their .44 size frame? Great looking pieces for sure! Thanks.
-Jesse

The Colt in the pic shares its I frame with the Python (Based on an earlier 41 frame). This one's a toss up as far as I'm concerned though I'd give a slight edge to the colt in terms of accuracy.

 

[Dennis The B]

The Trooper was built on Colt's medium frame, same size as the Official Police and later Python.

The Colt Trooper Mk III, in 1970, was built on the Colt J frame. The J is larger than the Colt I frame (Python, Officer's Model), and is about the size of the S&W L frame. The Colt I frame is also larger than the S&W K frame.

I believe that you're correct on the pre-1970 Trooper's frame size.

 

[bnz43]

The S&W Model 28 would be the winner. For an automatic pistol I prefer a Colt 1911A1 but for a revolver the S&W is my choice. No logic to the decision just personal preference.