Refinishing a Colt Trooper?

[spazzymcgee]

I have a 1958 Colt Trooper .38 on the way, and the finish is in pretty rough shape. There is very, very minor pitting (I think?) on the left side of the gun. I have the means to sandblast it, and refinish it pretty well with Norrell's Moly Resin (gloss black), and was wondering how the value would be affected. I was relatively sure it would devalue it. but I was checking if it was any different when pitting was involved. I plan on reselling, (If I can detach myself from it), and wanted to keep it easy to sell, and not lose any money on it. Thanks for the help, and move this thread if it's in the wrong place, please. Here's a picture.

 

[dfariswheel]

One of the gun coatings will absolutely trash the value.
Sort of like brushing on a coat of Rustoleum on a finish-worn Ferrari.

A smarter/better option would be to send it in to Colt and have it factory re-blued.
Even pitting can often be removed, depending on how bad it is. Colt can surprise you with what they can do.

The gun will come back looking like brand new.
Colt may not be taking any new bluing work until early September due to work load.

If you're going to resell it, don't do anything. There a much better market for a gun in that shape than one butchered with bead blasting and some coating.
A buyer could send in the gun and have it factory refinished and have a really nice gun.
If you bead blast, the gun is ruined for all time.

 

[rondog]

Colt is the only place I'd even consider sending it for refinish. And I'd never dream of doing ANY kind of refinishing myself! Spend the money and have it done right, it will still be looking good long after all of us are gone.

 

[rcmodel]

Doesn't look all that bad to me.

You might be surprised what a little elbow grease with 0000 Steel Wool & oil will do for it!!

rc

 

[spazzymcgee]

Thanks, guys. I was about 90% sure that it wouldn't be worth it, but just wanted to make sure. I think I'll just keep it the way it is. I only planned on enjoying for a little while, and then selling it. While I'm asking questions, what kind of value would you put on this gun? (in its current state) I got it for $375, and was happy with that because around here, if you can even find them, they sell for a lot more than that. I don't expect to lose money. What are your opinions?

 

[Jaymo]

I'd send it to Colt for refinish.
Then, I'd keep it forever.
I'd be buried with it.

What the hell is up with all the gun-flippers on the forums, these days?

 

[spazzymcgee]

I'd send it to Colt for refinish.
Then, I'd keep it forever.
I'd be buried with it.

What the hell is up with all the gun-flippers on the forums, these days?

The only reason I'm not keeping it is that it was an impulse purchase that I couldn't afford in the first place. I'm 17 years old, and don't have any bills, but can't be blowing money like that "permanently". I'll have fun with it for a while, and then sell it to get my money back.

 

[aarondhgraham]

Do not refinish it yourself,,,

Do not refinish it yourself,,,
You will absolutely destroy any value it has.

Like rcmodel said,,,
Get some 0000 steel wool and gun oil,,,
A half-hour rubbing it down while watching TV will do wonders.

After you have cleaned it up,,,
You should easily get $450 for it.

Colt DA/SA revolvers are like real estate,,,
It's like Will Rogers said, "They ain't makin' any more of it."

Don't destroy it's collectability by doing a kitchen sink refinish.

Aarond

.

 

[bannockburn]

Another vote for having Colt refinish it if you do plan on keeping it for awhile. If not then you should try cleaning it up as best you can (I would try a little bit of Flitz on any of the rusted areas), and put it up for sale on one of the gun auction sites.

 

[Jaymo]

How did you (legally) buy a handgun at 17 years of age?
By law, you cannot buy a pistol until 21 years of age.


Sorry for my previous tone.
I thought you were one of the myriad of gun-flippers who get a good deal on a gun, and then go to the forums to find out just how much they can screw another enthusiast on the price.
It's an unfortunately common practice, now.

You may want to hang on to that one, because Colt DA revolvers are very nice guns, and will only get more expensive to replace.
I've been kicking myself for the past 20 years for selling a sweet Ruger Speed Six that I bought when I turned 21.

 

[spazzymcgee]

How did you (legally) buy a handgun at 17 years of age?
By law, you cannot buy a pistol until 21 years of age.


Sorry for my previous tone.
I thought you were one of the myriad of gun-flippers who get a good deal on a gun, and then go to the forums to find out just how much they can screw another enthusiast on the price.
It's an unfortunately common practice, now.

You may want to hang on to that one, because Colt DA revolvers are very nice guns, and will only get more expensive to replace.
I've been kicking myself for the past 20 years for selling a sweet Ruger Speed Six that I bought when I turned 21.

My parents buy on my behalf. The sellers are always informed of this, and it's not a straw purchase in the case that it's a parent buying it for you. I took no offense to your previous tone, by the way. I know exactly the type of people you're talking about, and I just wanted to clear my name of a title like that. Keeping this Colt is on the top of my list of wishes, but I don't think I can afford it at the moment, and my Mother wouldn't be very happy. It would probably be a good investment though, and I am getting more and more hours at work. I'll think about it for a while.

 

[dfariswheel]

Ever think that you might like to own a Colt Python some day???

The original Trooper is the same frame and action as the Python and is sometimes known as a "poor man's Python".

You did okay on the price.

 

[Jaymo]

Did I mention that I'd get Colt to refinish it, and then I'd be buried with it?

Seriously, you could have done a LOT worse than to be stuck with that revolver.

I'm actually a little envious. But, I'm happy that you got such a nice revolver.
Nothing against S&W, but I'm a Colt fan-first, last, and always. Just don't tell my J-frame Smith.

To be honest, it may be easier for you to shoot/enjoy it if you don't get it refinished.
The first scratch always hurts the worst, and all that.

Were it mine, I'd put Pachmayr Grippers on it, just because I like them so much.
But, there's nothing at all wrong with those Pachmayr Presentation grips it has.
And they do look closer to the originals than Grippers, if that matters.

I truly do understand cash crunches and buyer's remorse.
I get buyer's remorse before I even hand over the money.
And, I had to sell my Speed Six, to fund a transmission rebuild/clutch replacement, when I was in tech school.
It hurt then, and it hurts now.
If I could track it down, I would buy it back in a heartbeat.

If you can keep it, I think you'll find that you really like it. If I lived near you, I'd buy it from you.
I've always wanted a Python/Trooper/3 5 7.
Fantastic revolvers.
Alas, DE is too far from GA for me to drive to buy it.

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

+1 on the 0000 & oil clean up. It's finish puts the gun in the 'shooter' class, so keep the total spent on the gun vs. possible re-sale value in mind when deciding on a re-finish.

Are the roll markings and VP marking crisp?

The hammer appears to have been blued.
Take a good look at both the roll and VP markings for possible evidence of re-finish.
You might also look at the cylinder notches to see if there is blueing on the tapered leads where there should be wear.

My .02, JT

 

[Jimfern]

A light polishing with Flitz polish after you get the rust off will help too.

 

[spazzymcgee]

Did I mention that I'd get Colt to refinish it, and then I'd be buried with it?

Seriously, you could have done a LOT worse than to be stuck with that revolver.

I'm actually a little envious. But, I'm happy that you got such a nice revolver.
Nothing against S&W, but I'm a Colt fan-first, last, and always. Just don't tell my J-frame Smith.

To be honest, it may be easier for you to shoot/enjoy it if you don't get it refinished.
The first scratch always hurts the worst, and all that.

Were it mine, I'd put Pachmayr Grippers on it, just because I like them so much.
But, there's nothing at all wrong with those Pachmayr Presentation grips it has.
And they do look closer to the originals than Grippers, if that matters.

I truly do understand cash crunches and buyer's remorse.
I get buyer's remorse before I even hand over the money.
And, I had to sell my Speed Six, to fund a transmission rebuild/clutch replacement, when I was in tech school.
It hurt then, and it hurts now.
If I could track it down, I would buy it back in a heartbeat.

If you can keep it, I think you'll find that you really like it. If I lived near you, I'd buy it from you.
I've always wanted a Python/Trooper/3 5 7.
Fantastic revolvers.
Alas, DE is too far from GA for me to drive to buy it.

Thanks, I've come to be a huge fan of Colt DA revolvers myself. There's a lot to be said for incredible actions and triggers out of the box, and constantly appreciating value. I was converted to the church of Colt when I first felt the lockup on a Police Positive made in 1920. I bought a similar model that had been cut down, plus 500 rounds of Remington .38 S&W for $200 total. It had almost perfect black rubber grips, with a serial number only a few thousand off. I know I'll love this gun though, because I've fired a python and couple Troopers before. If I find a good deal on some nice wood grips, it would be great. I might put some grippers on there though.

 

[Blue Brick]

A smarter/better option would be to send it in to Colt and have it factory re-blued.

+ 1

 

[Blue Brick]

By law, you cannot buy a pistol until 21 years of age.

Not always true, AZ is 18 for PP sales.

 

[W.E.G.]

If you don't want it, sell it as-is.

Lots of folks like old guns with "character."
Almost nobody will pay you premium prices for a refinished old gun.

The owner can always "re-finish" it.
Once its refinished, nobody can ever "un-refinish" it.

 

[rondog]

Well Spazzy, I can tell you that when you're young like you are and you score a nice gun (or anything else) for a great deal like that, you tend to believe that "hey, no problem. I got this one for a good price, I can do it again and get another one later for a similar price".

Unfortunately, that is rarely the case. If you got that Trooper for a good price, I'd suggest you hang onto it for as long as you can and think long and hard about selling it. The chances of finding another one like it for a similar price are mighty slim.

Just the opinion of an old man who's been there and done that. There's guns (and Harleys, and cars, and cameras, etc.) in my past that I still grieve over selling. And many others that I grieve over not buying when I had the chance.

 

[788Ham]

I've got a Colt Trooper 4", made in 1962, I bought it a couple of years ago. I've been at the range practicing with it, I've had fantastic results with accuracy with it ! I shoot a light Win 231 load, with 158 gr. SWC bullets, @ 10 yards, it chews the center right out of the bull, fantastic revolver. Don't bugger it up and then try to sell it, you might not be able to give it away if you hose it up. Leave the finish alone, it adds character to a gun not made any longer, none made since '94 ! If you lived closer, I'd give you $375 cash right now!

 

[Jaymo]

Federal law says 21 for handgun sales.

Yeah, there is something about revolvers that actually have good triggers out of the box and don't have to be shot to hell to smooth up.