Colt Trooper .38
- Thread starter hAkron
- Start date
Mike Irwin
Staff
Oddly enough, most Colt revolver prices don't seem to be keeping pace with their similar S&W counterparts.
In the past couple of years I've bought 3 Colt revolvers, an Official Police in .38, made in 1968, a Colt Police Positive in .32 Colt New Police (.32 S&W Long), and a Police Positive Special in .32-20. In all three cases I paid under $400 for guns with good to excellent bluing and excellent lockup.
There are still a lot of deals to be had on Colt revolvers.
The drawback, though, is that if one, especially an older one, gets out of whack, there are few spare parts and even fewer gunsmiths who know their way around the inside of a Colt these days.
In the past couple of years I've bought 3 Colt revolvers, an Official Police in .38, made in 1968, a Colt Police Positive in .32 Colt New Police (.32 S&W Long), and a Police Positive Special in .32-20. In all three cases I paid under $400 for guns with good to excellent bluing and excellent lockup.
There are still a lot of deals to be had on Colt revolvers.
The drawback, though, is that if one, especially an older one, gets out of whack, there are few spare parts and even fewer gunsmiths who know their way around the inside of a Colt these days.
aarondhgraham
New member
There's a nickel plated .357 Trooper at The Evil Pawn Shop,,,
That's a darned sexy revolver my friend.
There's a nickel plated .357 Trooper at The Evil Pawn Shop,,,
If I were a bigger fan of the prancing ponies,,,
I would snag that beauty for my own.
Personally, I would rather have it than the Python,,,
It's approaching blasphemy but I have never liked the looks of the Python.
Ribbed barrels belong on shotguns,,,
Not on revolvers.
Aarond
.
That's a darned sexy revolver my friend.
There's a nickel plated .357 Trooper at The Evil Pawn Shop,,,
If I were a bigger fan of the prancing ponies,,,
I would snag that beauty for my own.
Personally, I would rather have it than the Python,,,
It's approaching blasphemy but I have never liked the looks of the Python.
Ribbed barrels belong on shotguns,,,
Not on revolvers.
Aarond
.
aarondhgraham
New member
Hello Mike,,,
Do you think this is because people are leery of buying Colts as shooters?
I know that every time I take my Trooper Mk-III to the range,,,
I wonder if this is the time something will break,,,
And I won't be able to get it repaired.
Aarond
.
Do you think this is because people are leery of buying Colts as shooters?
I know that every time I take my Trooper Mk-III to the range,,,
I wonder if this is the time something will break,,,
And I won't be able to get it repaired.
Aarond
.
Skirmisher
New member
Nice find.
Isn't it interesting that there's always someone who wants to pee in your Cheerios?
Isn't it interesting that there's always someone who wants to pee in your Cheerios?
Mike Irwin
Staff
I don't know why prices aren't keeping up, Aaron. I doubt if it's any sense of leeryness (sp?) because I suspect that most shooters aren't aware of that fact. I wasn't until I started buying Colts a couple of years ago.
That's not going to stop me buying Colts, I'm just going to take a lot more time examining them before I put the money down.
Obviously, some of them are keeping up in price, such as the New Service and the Python and especially the Diamondback, but your general Colt work-a-day revolvers aren't commanding the prices that Smiths are.
The later Colts, too, the ones that have a lockwork that's more S&W like, are bringing higher prices more on par with S&Ws. Maybe that's the answer...
And I agree with you on the looks of the Python. Ribbed barrel? Not interested.
Who's peeing in your Cheerios, Skirmisher? I'm not seeing anyone do that in this thread.
That's not going to stop me buying Colts, I'm just going to take a lot more time examining them before I put the money down.
Obviously, some of them are keeping up in price, such as the New Service and the Python and especially the Diamondback, but your general Colt work-a-day revolvers aren't commanding the prices that Smiths are.
The later Colts, too, the ones that have a lockwork that's more S&W like, are bringing higher prices more on par with S&Ws. Maybe that's the answer...
And I agree with you on the looks of the Python. Ribbed barrel? Not interested.
Who's peeing in your Cheerios, Skirmisher? I'm not seeing anyone do that in this thread.
I'm not worried about throwing this gun out of time with my 158gr target loads, if I do cross that bridge when I get to it. The nice thing is that this gun was under $400, and it's in the kind of shape where it's rough enough that I can shoot it without worrying about it, but it's not such a beater that I'm embarrassed to claim it. It's right where I like my used guns to be.
22-rimfire
New member
HAkron, were you being sacastic about the "rough finish" or is it in fact a refinished revolver? Looks great here.
The original Troopers were very good revolvers and were often overlooked for years. Then people started wising up. They have the same action as a Python, just not as pretty.
The original Troopers were very good revolvers and were often overlooked for years. Then people started wising up. They have the same action as a Python, just not as pretty.
The nickel is flaking off in a few places. The trigger, front sight, and on the 'hump' by the side plate screw.
Also, the pony isn't stamped in very deep, so it is a possible refinish. Also, on the bottom of the grip frame, somebody scratched in a serial number or possibly a case number with a nail or screw driver.
Also, the pony isn't stamped in very deep, so it is a possible refinish. Also, on the bottom of the grip frame, somebody scratched in a serial number or possibly a case number with a nail or screw driver.
22-rimfire
New member
I have a mint or near mint Cobra 22 that the original owner scratched his initials on the bottom strap. Messed up a beautiful revolver. This was one of my "gunshow misses" years ago as I didn't see the initials before I bought it and took it home. Relative to prices these days, the price wasn't much, like $250. Tis life.
22-rimfire
New member
Jeff, that is a pretty typical Trooper with the holster wear and cylinder drag ring. Ofcourse the stocks are not original. Shoot it and enjoy it as you aren't likely to hurt it anymore unless you abuse it. You got a good buy on that revolver.