Colt Trooper questions

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Thompson9494

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For my 21st birthday here in a little over a year, I've been looking at picking up a revolver of some sort. I've looked at several companies, S&W, Ruger, etc, but started looking at some of the classic Colts, I decided if I can only have one revolver, I'd like it to be a Colt. I'd love to buy a Python but I don't for see myself having over $2000 on the low end to buy one with, so I looked at the less expensive alternative, the Colt Trooper which can be found in good condition for $750-900 on gunbroker

I don't know much about them, though, so I have a few questions.

What is the 'best' or most desirable variant of the Trooper?
What is the trigger like on a Trooper?
How does the Trooper stack up against a modern S&W 686 or S&W 586?

Thanks in advance!


 
The early Troopers (not MKIII) have the same lockwork as a Python. When they were new they came with a signed target attesting to their accuracy. They may not have the hand finished fit and finish of a Python, but they are very nice revolvers nonetheless.

The MKIII and the later MKV have different internals than the earlier Troopers/Pythons, and are very robust guns in their own right. You are right, they can be had for a fraction of the cost of a Python and if you get a good one, it will no doubt last you for the rest of your life.

While there is some truth to the stories that Pythons will go out of time with enough use, there Is also anecdotal stories of people shooting them for years with no issues. I don't know enough about the MKIII and V models to be able to say how long they will last, but I would venture to say that if don't constantly abuse them with harsh loads, you will be OK.

I have had an earlier Trooper (1968) for a few years and I greatly enjoy shooting it.
 
There are in fact FOUR Colt "Troopers".

The first model was made from 1953 to 1961. This was an "E" frame revolver (firing pin mounted on the hammer) and had the same action as the later Python.
It was available in .22 LR and .38 Special.

The second version was made from 1961 to 1969. This was the Colt "I" frame (Firing pin mounted in the frame), and had the same action as the Python.
It was available in .38 Special and .357 Magnum.

The Colt Trooper Mark III was an entirely new design using a transfer bar safety/ignition. It was made from 1969 to 1983. This was the Colt "J" frame. It has nothing at all in common with the Trooper/Python.
It was available in .22LR, .22 Magnum, and .357 Magnum.

The Trooper Mark V was Colt's "V" frame and was made from 1982 to 1986.
It was available in .357 Magnum. It was a slightly improved version of the Mark III.
In 1986 Colt changed the Mark V to stainless steel, later in blue, with a full length shrouded barrel as the King Cobra.

The first two Troopers have the same frame and action as the Python, only without the higher level of tuning and the brilliant Python finish and barrel.

The Trooper Mark III and Trooper Mark V were specifically designed for unlimited use with full charge .357 Magnum ammo without the need for the more often maintenance needed by the Trooper and Python models.
The Trooper/Python actions feel nothing like the Trooper Mark III/Mark V.
 
I don't claim to know the technical info or history of any of these. I do have a Colt Trooper MK III. I purchased it new in 1979 or so and have had it ever since. It is a well made firearm, along the lines of a Model 27 Smith. Some maybe won't like that comparison. The trigger is so-so. I have always wanted to have the trigger redone but have not got around to it.

Every so often I see them priced decently. I almost picked one up at Tulsa but I wondered why I needed two of them. They are very solid firearms.
 
Don't get me wrong, a good Colt is a work of art, like an expensive watch, or a European sports car, but I don't think they are worth the substantial premium over a mid/late 20th century Smith & Wesson, or Dan Wesson revolver. If nobody told me how much 'better' a Colt was than a 686, then I would have never figured it out on my own either.

I don't own a python, but I have a Trooper (original trooper) and a Colt Official Police so I do have some basis for comparison -- but again, just one man's personal opinion, your mileage may vary.
 
I'm sure you will be happy with witchever Trooper model you get. I have 3, a MK3 I that was bought when in college and 2 other old model Troopers that where picked up in the last 40 years.

Trooper3.jpg
[/IMG]
 
There is only one problem with the Troopers,,,

There is only one problem with the Troopers,,,
If they do need maintenance parts are somewhat scarce,,,
And finding a qualified gunsmith who knows Colts is getting more difficult.

I own a 4" Trooper Mk-III in .357 magnum,,,
It's a wonderful shooting handgun.

I also own a 6" Trooper Mk-III in .22 LR,,,
It too is a wonderful shooting handgun.

There isn't any appreciable increase in performance,,,
Over my comparable S&W revolvers.

The action of my S&W 686,,,
Is every bit as nice as the .357 Trooper.

The action of my S&W 18,,,
Is actually much better than the .22 Trooper.

If only for the availability of parts,,,
I would not buy a Colt as my only revolver.

Other than that,,,
Troopers are fine firearms.

Aarond

.
 
My experience agrees with that above. The early Troopers with the Python internals are nearly imposible to find in any reasonable condition. The Mark IIIs are available, though their shooting is rather ordinary. I believe S&Ws to be superior shooters, but there is a certain flair in the manner in which the Trooper is machined that gives it the look of what a revolver would like to look like if it had a choice. I hope to find the right deal on another one some day, but that prancing pony sure makes the price go up.
 
Thanks for your replies so far!

Steve C, those are some beautiful Troopers you got there!

I think if I do decide to pick up a Colt Trooper in the future it'll probably end up being one of the MK III versions because of their reputation for robustness with the more powerful .357s.
 
When the Mk III was introduced in 1969 there was a definite ripple in the handgun community that went in a couple of different directions;

1. there were the Colt fans who wailed and gnashed their teeth at the final abandonment of the Colt "Python" v spring hand fitted action,

2. and there were more than a few fully informed writers who proclaimed the strongest .357 frame produced in the world (N frame be damned).

I definitely see what both sides meant, the action isn't the same. If however you can live with a GP-100 you have nothing to bitch about in a Trooper Mk III.

I fully believe though that the strength crown resting on the Ruger GP-100 is a fallacy, and there is no finer pistol (Colt world class forged metallurgy) for a constant diet of full house magnums to be found even today. The real competitors would be the Dan Wessons, Redhawks and Freedom Arms level .357's.

The Achilles heel is the frame mounted firing pin. The only press suited to replace these resides in Conn. at the Colt factory. Break one and that's where your revolver is going.

There are those that share stories of suspect batches of 'pins that may not have had correct heat treating. Those that truly appreciate Mk III's simply never dry fire without snap caps (good ones, A-Zoom for me). Observe this and your grandchildren will be shooting their crop of full house .357.

The Mk V is beyond my means due to Colt collector speculation, but it is a shortened Mk III action. Best of both worlds? That is probably a bit strong but a highly desired revolver, no doubt.
 
I have had a trooper MkIII completely apart and I have had an older colt (army special) apart, and will tell you from my experience between the two guns that I much prefer the simplicity of the MkIII's action as far as reassembly. I know the older colt action is much easier to tune though.
 
I have a Colt Trooper, 4" made in '62, 38 spl. The action on this revolver is almost a nice as the 6" Python I also own, same actions, both superb. Too bad Colt couldn't have seen what was happening.
 
I like the Trooper Mark III's. I have them in 357, 22LR, and 22 WMR. My 6" 357 is my favorite 357 that I shoot and it is in quite nice condition. Yes, I have the orginal Troopers also in 22LR.

My question is that are you looking for a shooter or are you looking for something to collect?

Condition or buying near mint is not as important with a shooter as compared to one you intend to collect. If collecting is your objective, buy the highest quality you can afford and don't shoot it.

Most of the original Troopers are in the ~95% condition area (90-96%) with the dominant wear being from holster wear. They are good shooters, but at that condition, it will likely take a lot of years before they are significant collectors.

My sense is that you are buying to shoot, but you'd like it to look nearly new. That generally means about 98% condition and the Mark III's are pretty easy to find in that condition. The same applies to the Mark V versions, but are less common as they didn't make them very long. So, many people have purchased them to collect.

I consider the Mark III's to be equal to the S&W 586/686 and certainly more robust than a Model 19.
 
22-rimfire said:
I like the Trooper Mark III's. I have them in 357, 22LR, and 22 WMR. My 6" 357 is my favorite 357 that I shoot and it is in quite nice condition. Yes, I have the orginal Troopers also in 22LR.

My question is that are you looking for a shooter or are you looking for something to collect?

Condition or buying near mint is not as important with a shooter as compared to one you intend to collect. If collecting is your objective, buy the highest quality you can afford and don't shoot it.

Most of the original Troopers are in the ~95% condition area (90-96%) with the dominant wear being from holster wear. They are good shooters, but at that condition, it will likely take a lot of years before they are significant collectors.

My sense is that you are buying to shoot, but you'd like it to look nearly new. That generally means about 98% condition and the Mark III's are pretty easy to find in that condition. The same applies to the Mark V versions, but are less common as they didn't make them very long. So, many people have purchased them to collect.

I consider the Mark III's to be equal to the S&W 586/686 and certainly more robust than a Model 19.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info and the revolver I buy is going to be one I plan on taking to the shooting range, so a VG condition Mark III would be great. Everywhere I've checked I can find a good-looking Mark III in the ballpark of $700-1000 which is an amount I would be comfortable spending on one.
 
Huskerguy said:
I do have a Colt Trooper MK III.... The trigger is so-so. I have always wanted to have the trigger redone but have not got around to it.
Click to expand...

Not a good idea, if I recall correctly. The MkIII had sintered parts (soft plated metal). attempting to work on them would go through the plating and ruin them.
The Mk V / King Cobra had standard parts.

dfariswheel should be able to clarify that matter.
 
I like this writeup;

http://www.coltfever.com/Mark_III.html

Thank you.

The later Colt's like the Mark III/Mark V all had case hardened, sintered steel (molded) internal parts.
The Mark III hammer and trigger were also sintered, the Mark V and later Colt's used cast steel hammers and triggers.

The sintered steel internal parts were case hardened with a very thin layer or "crust" of glass hard steel.
Polishing or stoning these parts will break through the coating, exposing soft inner metal and ruining the part.

Since the internal parts are molded, there are no machine marks to be polished out, and the parts are already as smooth as will do any good.
In these later Colt's a "trigger job" is to install a spring kit including a lighter trigger return spring and lighter mainspring, and apply a little grease on the hammer and trigger interfaces.
 
Today I bought a MK III in around 95% condition for $499. If you must have a revolver today, then prices will be what they will be, but if you can live with searching and a bit of waiting, deals pop up here and there.
 
The big thing with Mark III's is that you don't dry fire them like you might a Ruger. You may well break it.
 
I bought a 4 digit Trooper MKIII back in 1970. It had recessed cylinder like a Smith. Wish I had kept that one. Don't know when they went to the non recessed but the one I bought in 1976 had the flush cylinder.
 
MKIII is a robust firearm

colt advertised that prototype testing was with 20,000 rounds and 250,000 dry snaps. I met a corporate pilot that flew for Colt around the 1969 period and stated he help some of the factory workers in the basement of the factory fire off cases of ammo and he stated the ammo he was firing was .357. Colt also advertised the new MKIII actions as having perma-timing. I have never seen or owned a MKIII that the timing was off. About the only tuning one can do on these is replace the standard springs with Wolf springs to lighten the action if one desires. I am running standard springs as they are fine for me. I have 4 MKIII Colts.
 
The coil spring action in the mk iii and mk v does not lend itself to tuning like a.s&w would. Imho, owning both mk iii and mk v colts and s&w's, the colt and s&w are both very nice actions, but different feeling. I would have no hesitation shouting full magnums in either mk iii or mk v. My king cobra trigger is superb to any other revolver I own. I am always looking for mkiii and mkv colts.
 
Chisos said:
I bought a 4 digit Trooper MKIII back in 1970. It had recessed cylinder like a Smith. Wish I had kept that one. Don't know when they went to the non recessed but the one I bought in 1976 had the flush cylinder.
Click to expand...
It's my understanding, and I could be wrong, that the recessed cylinders were only made for less than 1 year.
 
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