Anyone here own a Colt 357?

T

Tommy gunn

New member
It is an older model that Colt mfg don't make anymore. I think it predates the Python.

It has a heavy barrel, no shroud but with a notch cut into the bottom of the barrel to make room for the ejector rod.
 
The Colt 357 was made from 1954 to 1961, with a total production of around 15,000 guns.

It was available in blue or bright nickel, 4" or 6" barrel, and choice of either target stocks and hammer, or smaller "Service" grips and hammer.

The 357 was a VERY innovative gun.
It was the world's first mid-frame .357 Magnum revolver. Before this all .357's were large frame models like the Colt New Service, or S&W's "N" frame.

The 357 was the first modern center-fire revolver to use a frame-mounted firing pin, and the first to use Colt's now-famous target grips and hammer.

The 357 was intended to be Colt's premium holster revolver, and for people and police departments on a budget, the "budget" Colt Trooper in .38 Special and .22LR were offered.

In 1955 Colt introduced the "Super Premium" Colt Python, and things got complicated at Colt.

The only real difference between the 357 and the Trooper, was the Trooper has a lesser quality finish, and a firing pin mounted on the hammer, instead of in the frame.

The difference between the 357 and the Python was the Python's much better finish, and the heavy, lugged and vent rib barrel.

As it happened, people and police departments wanting a good, adjustable sight holster revolver bought the Trooper, and people wanting the best, bought the Python.

This left the 357 as "odd man out", so in 1961 Colt discontinued the 357.

At this time, Colt added the .357 Magnum caliber to the Trooper line, the hammer-mounted firing pin was discontinued, and the pin was moved to the Trooper frame.

From then until the Trooper was discontinued in 1969, it was available in .357 Mag, .38 Special, and 22LR.

Since the 357 and the Python are the same gun other than for cosmetics and more hand fitting of the action, the 357 is viewed as a "poor man's Python".

These are extremely high-quality pistols, and a bit of a "sleeper" as most people have never heard of the 357 model, and pass over them, mistaking them for the look-alike Trooper.
 
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Well written, Dfariswheel - -

I was mentally composing my reply, but you've hit about every single point I would have made! ;)

I have a four-inch ".357" and really like it. On the rare occasion I carry a revolver in that caliber, it rides well on my hip, and is noticibly lighter than my Pre-M27 S&W. At the same time, it seems to handle full power 158 gr. magnum loads more comfortably than the S&W M19.

guy sajer - -Excellent image of the six-inch version, complete with exactly the proper factory stocks. Lotta people dont know the difference in those and the Python stocks. My four-inch wears the smaller, "service" style panels, with a Pachmayr grip adaptor. The previous owner sanded off all the checking from the factory stocks, so I installed some old ones from an Official Police. Makes it a bit more compact. Personal preference, of course.

Best,
Johnny
 
I have an extra 4" .357 , with service hammer and stocks and some holster bluing wear. It has no end shake,carries up when very slowly cocked, locks perfectly tight, shoots 2" at 25 yards. $350 + shipping to your FFL. I got a new in box 4" with target hammer for $400 the other day, such a deal I couldn't turn it down. The one I'm selling has a 6lb double action pull and has fired at least 500 mag loads for me with no miss fires. The one I just bought has a 9lb pull but sure looks nice :D Good to be back BTW. I think I had over 1000 posts under another handle which I don't remember :confused:
 
I have a first year 6 incher. She aint the prettiest gurl at the dance, but she is tight and can shoot with the best of em.
 
mine's a 6" Colt Peacemaker. It's basically a Colt Trooper with a matt finish. It was Colt's attempt at a "budget" revolver, though other than the finish I can't tell the difference. Man, is it sweet!!!! :D
 
norm143
Actually we're talking a different gun than your "Peacemaker" actually the Peacekeeper.

We're talking about an early 1950's "I" frame revolver with the same frame as the Colt Python, and known as the Colt 357 Model. This was both the caliber AND the name.

Your Peacekeeper is the Mid-80's Colt Trooper Mark V with a black finish, which is an entirely different revolver.

In the Mid-80's the Colt strike was on hot and heavy, and Colt didn't have enough workers to do the polishing required of blued guns. What people they had were put on the premium guns like the Python.

In order to keep selling guns, Colt introduced a series of revolvers with rough, black finishes.
These guns were simple standard models, without the fine polishing and bluing, and sold for less money than the more expensive to make premium guns.

In this series there were:
The Peacekeeper version of the Trooper Mark V.
The Commando version of the Detective Special, (not to be confused with the WWII Commando version of the Official Police).
Oddly, Colt called the black finish Cobra, the Cobra??? and the black Agent the Agent?????
 
Funny I should read this today. Every Memorial Day my son and I take to the range with the firearms of those who went before us. I fired my dad's Trooper that he started in law enforcement with (1965) and it still shoots as well as the day he bought it.

Denny
 
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