Had Trooper Mk III for a short time. Lockwork jammed when it got hot. They can be had like new for $200-$250 in my area. Nothing special at all. If you find one that runs properly $250 would be my MAX and it better be perfect. Box doesn't mean anything to me, just end up smashed, lost etc. I doubt there will be any shortage of LNIB or NIB Troopers anytime this century.
Colt Trooper Mark III: Opinion's please?
- Thread starter boa2
- Start date
Sir William
New member
IIRC, the KS Frontier Scout should have a cardboard overbox, the wooden presentation case, a plastic bag, end label from the factory and a narration certificate. At $400.00, I don't see how you can go wrong. The OMT 22s are climbing in price. I see nice ones for $800.00 and up for shooters. A 6" 357 is a bit rare but, if it is a shooter, I would think about it IF, you are collecting generations of the Trooper series. It was the beginning of the series. You would IIRC, need a New Service in 357 Magnum, a 357, the entire MK series and the King Cobra for a complete collection. Barrel lengths would be a sub-category. Sights, actions, hammers, triggers, finishes and even a unpolished "walkout" model could be thrown in. There are Baskins-Robbins choices.
Well, Right or wrong, I bought that NIB Colt Trooper MK III?
For what it's worth, I made the decision today, to buy the NIB("Mint")Colt Trooper Mark III! I don't know, if this will prove to be a "Mistake"(Or, not?)? However, my name is now on the dotted line and the Colt Mark III, is now mine! It was just too nice, to let this gun get away!
I lost alot of sleep(Tossin & turning, all night!)trying to decide whether or not, to buy this Colt Mark III(The "So called" ugly duckling of Colt revolvers!)?
I had started out to select between an Colt OMT(.22)for $895(Out the door!)or, an Colt 357(6-incher)for $600(Out the door!)or, the Colt Mark III(.357)with a 4-inch barrel(For $450, out the door!)?
I thought that I wanted to obtain a more collectible gun, like the Colt OMT(.22)or the Colt 357(6-incher)? Although the OMT, was in very nice condition, I felt that if I had to spend this much money, in the short term, I would be better off to spend this money, for a Colt Python! And, although the Colt "357" has an interesting history(And certainly is a collectible!)this gun(Although nice!)had some "Flaws" that I didn't like! Also, I already own a nicely "Engraved"(4-inch)Colt "357", that is in better condition(LNIB!)than this Colt ".357"(6-incher)! Then, I got to thinking, that there never is any guarantee(Whenever collecting guns!)that alot of money will be made, upon selling them? In fact, maybe I wouldn't live long enough to collect on any of these guns(Especially, if it would take many more years, for them to rise up enough in value, to make it worthwhile?)? So, I took the "Cheap" way out, and bought the Colt Trooper Mark III! Mostly, because it was so "Pristine" and, getting guns in "Perfect" condition, is always important to me! But(Of course!)the ideal situation, would have been to have obtained a really good collectible revolver, in "perfect" condition, and, at a definate "Bargain"! But, this does not always happen to be the case! I also concluded, that in view of the excessively high gun prices here in CA(The PRK!)dabbling in the expensive(Highly collectible guns!)and, high fees(Plus taxes!)would only make it that much harder to ever realize any gain, on any guns like these?
I also took into account what everybody had already said(Which was very helpful to me! However, I thought long and hard, about what "Dfariswheel" had reported about the Colt Mark III's-and, since he is highly respected on this forum, and, because he is highly qualified, regarding Colt's, I felt that this stood heavily in favor of the Colt Mark III, being a better revolver, than these guns have been given credit for, in the past! So, this, along with all of the other Colt Mark III(Owner's positive reports!)this made me decide to buy the Colt Mark III! I hope I did good, in making my choice(All things being considered!)?
Now that I plunked down my money on this "Ugly" Colt child(So to speak!)I'd like to hear any new comments from the forum members(Pro or Con?)? Thanks!
For what it's worth, I made the decision today, to buy the NIB("Mint")Colt Trooper Mark III! I don't know, if this will prove to be a "Mistake"(Or, not?)? However, my name is now on the dotted line and the Colt Mark III, is now mine! It was just too nice, to let this gun get away!
I lost alot of sleep(Tossin & turning, all night!)trying to decide whether or not, to buy this Colt Mark III(The "So called" ugly duckling of Colt revolvers!)?
I had started out to select between an Colt OMT(.22)for $895(Out the door!)or, an Colt 357(6-incher)for $600(Out the door!)or, the Colt Mark III(.357)with a 4-inch barrel(For $450, out the door!)?
I thought that I wanted to obtain a more collectible gun, like the Colt OMT(.22)or the Colt 357(6-incher)? Although the OMT, was in very nice condition, I felt that if I had to spend this much money, in the short term, I would be better off to spend this money, for a Colt Python! And, although the Colt "357" has an interesting history(And certainly is a collectible!)this gun(Although nice!)had some "Flaws" that I didn't like! Also, I already own a nicely "Engraved"(4-inch)Colt "357", that is in better condition(LNIB!)than this Colt ".357"(6-incher)! Then, I got to thinking, that there never is any guarantee(Whenever collecting guns!)that alot of money will be made, upon selling them? In fact, maybe I wouldn't live long enough to collect on any of these guns(Especially, if it would take many more years, for them to rise up enough in value, to make it worthwhile?)? So, I took the "Cheap" way out, and bought the Colt Trooper Mark III! Mostly, because it was so "Pristine" and, getting guns in "Perfect" condition, is always important to me! But(Of course!)the ideal situation, would have been to have obtained a really good collectible revolver, in "perfect" condition, and, at a definate "Bargain"! But, this does not always happen to be the case! I also concluded, that in view of the excessively high gun prices here in CA(The PRK!)dabbling in the expensive(Highly collectible guns!)and, high fees(Plus taxes!)would only make it that much harder to ever realize any gain, on any guns like these?
I also took into account what everybody had already said(Which was very helpful to me! However, I thought long and hard, about what "Dfariswheel" had reported about the Colt Mark III's-and, since he is highly respected on this forum, and, because he is highly qualified, regarding Colt's, I felt that this stood heavily in favor of the Colt Mark III, being a better revolver, than these guns have been given credit for, in the past! So, this, along with all of the other Colt Mark III(Owner's positive reports!)this made me decide to buy the Colt Mark III! I hope I did good, in making my choice(All things being considered!)?
Now that I plunked down my money on this "Ugly" Colt child(So to speak!)I'd like to hear any new comments from the forum members(Pro or Con?)? Thanks!
Sir William
New member
You are happy. In the end, that is all that matters. Congratulations on your purchase.
Dfariswheel
New member
You FOOL, you bought the WRONG gun.
I'm really a 12 year-old kid in New York City, and I've never actually handled a "real" gun.
Actually you've just bought a NIB Classic Colt revolver.
The Trooper Mark III was made from 1969 to 1984.
Give us the the serial number in the format: 1234XX and we can give you a production year.
Here's a post I did on the history of Colt's "J" frame revolvers from another forum:
A brief history of the Trooper Mark III line.
In 1969 Colt finally admitted that they could no longer compete with their old model revolvers.
The old guns like the Trooper, Official Police, Python and Officer's Model Match, simply required too much hand fitting.
Even the "budget" Official Police required a significant amount of highly skilled hand fitting simply to work.
The big cost in gun making is labor charges.
ANY hand work costs money, and the kind of people capable of fitting an old style Colt revolver don't work cheap.
The amount of fitting required ran the cost up above what the market was willing to pay, so something had to change.
So, in 1969 Colt discontinued all the mid-frame revolvers except the Python, and introduced a totally new design.
The new series was based on a new "J" frame, and named the Mark III line.
The "J" frame was, as usual for Colt, an industry "first" in many ways.
The new gun was the world's first revolver designed to be "machine fitted" and would require very little expensive hand fitting.
The new series was the first revolver to make use of "sintered steel".
This is a process similar to the current "MIM" molded steel process.
In this process, powdered steel mixed with a binder is injected into a mold, and heated until the steel melts and fills the mold.
When the part is removed, you have a nearly finished part.
The sintered parts are given a thin case hardened coating.
The "J" guns were the first revolver in which worn parts could not be re-fitted. Worn parts would simply be replaced with new parts.
The case hardened coating is very thin, and any attempt at stoning or even heavy polishing will break through the coating, ruining the part.
The "J" series were the first modern revolver to use the transfer bar safety/ignition system. This was so effective, every revolver designed since uses Colt's design virtually unchanged.
The first in the series was the Trooper Mark III, followed by a range of revolvers using the same action.
The other guns in this series were:
The Lawman, a fixed sight .357 with a non-shrouded 4" barrel. It was also available in a 2" round butt version, in which the later versions had a shrouded Detective Special-type barrel.
The Metropolitan Police, basically a Lawman but in .38 Special only, and 4" only.
The Official Police Mark III, basically the Metro Police, only with the "skinny" Official Police-type barrel, in 4" 5" and 6".
The Officer's Model Match Mark III, basically a Trooper Mark III in .38 Special, and sold as a target model. Only 500 were made.
Customer complaints about the DA trigger of the "J" guns led Colt to redesign the gun, and the new gun was the "V" frame.
This series was limited to the Trooper Mark V, the Lawman V, and a "budget" flat black version known as The Peacekeeper.
To improve the trigger action, Colt altered the gun to Colt's first "short action", redesigned the mainspring assembly, and altered the frame's butt to a round butt design.
Other, cosmetic changes, included a vented barrel.
Later, Colt again changed the revolver to a new "AA" frame. This gun was known as The King Cobra. This was nothing more than the "V" frame made in stainless steel, and fitted with a heavy shrouded barrel. Later the KC was also available in blue.
The "J" frame is a deceptively simple design, with large, sturdy parts.
Master gunsmith Jerry Kuhnhausen believed the Colt "J", "V", and "AA" frame guns are the strongest mid-frame revolvers ever built, due to Colt's forged frames and cylinders, and Colt's superior heat treating.
About the only "weakness" in this series, is the possibility of a firing pin with too hard a heat treat. If dry fired, there's a possibility a hard firing pin could break, in which case the gun MUST be sent back to Colt for a replacement.
This breakage is not that common, but possible.
Factory-only replacement is due to the fact that replacement requires special factory jigs and support fixtures to remove and re-install the pin, without damaging the frame.
So, to prevent any possible problem, the gun should be dry fired with snap caps in place.
The Trooper Mark III, was available in bright blue, bright nickel, and satin Electroless nickel, also known for a time as "Coltguard".
Calibers were .357/.38, 22LR, and 22 Magnum.
Barrel lengths were 4" 6", and later 8".
Early grips were square butt checkered walnut.
Later grips had an odd rounded design with a round shape to the front and bottom of the grip.
Later in production, "hardwood" grips appeared, which were supposed to be used only on the Lawman/Metro guns, but which were also put on the Trooper. These grips have an odd light "orange" color with no figure.
The older Colt guns, like the Python, use an action renowned for accuracy. This is due to the design that forces the cylinder into a tightly locked, perfect alignment with the bore, at the instant of firing. This design depends on a action in perfect adjustment to work.
The "J" series uses a system similar to all other revolver designs, in which the cylinder is allowed a slight amount of freedom to rotate at firing. This allows the cylinder to align itself with the bore.
While not as accurate as the Python, the Trooper III is almost always a very accurate revolver, due in part to the quality and rifling twist of Colt's barrels.
The best source of mechanical info on the Trooper Mark series, including how to disassemble for spring replacement, is Jerry Kuhnhausen's book, "The Colt Double Action Revolvers, A Shop Manual: Vol Two".
This should be a part of every Colt Mark series owner's gear.
By the standards of 1969 the Trooper Mark III was a "budget" gun, but by today's standard it would be considered a top of the line deluxe model.
I'm really a 12 year-old kid in New York City, and I've never actually handled a "real" gun.
Actually you've just bought a NIB Classic Colt revolver.
The Trooper Mark III was made from 1969 to 1984.
Give us the the serial number in the format: 1234XX and we can give you a production year.
Here's a post I did on the history of Colt's "J" frame revolvers from another forum:
A brief history of the Trooper Mark III line.
In 1969 Colt finally admitted that they could no longer compete with their old model revolvers.
The old guns like the Trooper, Official Police, Python and Officer's Model Match, simply required too much hand fitting.
Even the "budget" Official Police required a significant amount of highly skilled hand fitting simply to work.
The big cost in gun making is labor charges.
ANY hand work costs money, and the kind of people capable of fitting an old style Colt revolver don't work cheap.
The amount of fitting required ran the cost up above what the market was willing to pay, so something had to change.
So, in 1969 Colt discontinued all the mid-frame revolvers except the Python, and introduced a totally new design.
The new series was based on a new "J" frame, and named the Mark III line.
The "J" frame was, as usual for Colt, an industry "first" in many ways.
The new gun was the world's first revolver designed to be "machine fitted" and would require very little expensive hand fitting.
The new series was the first revolver to make use of "sintered steel".
This is a process similar to the current "MIM" molded steel process.
In this process, powdered steel mixed with a binder is injected into a mold, and heated until the steel melts and fills the mold.
When the part is removed, you have a nearly finished part.
The sintered parts are given a thin case hardened coating.
The "J" guns were the first revolver in which worn parts could not be re-fitted. Worn parts would simply be replaced with new parts.
The case hardened coating is very thin, and any attempt at stoning or even heavy polishing will break through the coating, ruining the part.
The "J" series were the first modern revolver to use the transfer bar safety/ignition system. This was so effective, every revolver designed since uses Colt's design virtually unchanged.
The first in the series was the Trooper Mark III, followed by a range of revolvers using the same action.
The other guns in this series were:
The Lawman, a fixed sight .357 with a non-shrouded 4" barrel. It was also available in a 2" round butt version, in which the later versions had a shrouded Detective Special-type barrel.
The Metropolitan Police, basically a Lawman but in .38 Special only, and 4" only.
The Official Police Mark III, basically the Metro Police, only with the "skinny" Official Police-type barrel, in 4" 5" and 6".
The Officer's Model Match Mark III, basically a Trooper Mark III in .38 Special, and sold as a target model. Only 500 were made.
Customer complaints about the DA trigger of the "J" guns led Colt to redesign the gun, and the new gun was the "V" frame.
This series was limited to the Trooper Mark V, the Lawman V, and a "budget" flat black version known as The Peacekeeper.
To improve the trigger action, Colt altered the gun to Colt's first "short action", redesigned the mainspring assembly, and altered the frame's butt to a round butt design.
Other, cosmetic changes, included a vented barrel.
Later, Colt again changed the revolver to a new "AA" frame. This gun was known as The King Cobra. This was nothing more than the "V" frame made in stainless steel, and fitted with a heavy shrouded barrel. Later the KC was also available in blue.
The "J" frame is a deceptively simple design, with large, sturdy parts.
Master gunsmith Jerry Kuhnhausen believed the Colt "J", "V", and "AA" frame guns are the strongest mid-frame revolvers ever built, due to Colt's forged frames and cylinders, and Colt's superior heat treating.
About the only "weakness" in this series, is the possibility of a firing pin with too hard a heat treat. If dry fired, there's a possibility a hard firing pin could break, in which case the gun MUST be sent back to Colt for a replacement.
This breakage is not that common, but possible.
Factory-only replacement is due to the fact that replacement requires special factory jigs and support fixtures to remove and re-install the pin, without damaging the frame.
So, to prevent any possible problem, the gun should be dry fired with snap caps in place.
The Trooper Mark III, was available in bright blue, bright nickel, and satin Electroless nickel, also known for a time as "Coltguard".
Calibers were .357/.38, 22LR, and 22 Magnum.
Barrel lengths were 4" 6", and later 8".
Early grips were square butt checkered walnut.
Later grips had an odd rounded design with a round shape to the front and bottom of the grip.
Later in production, "hardwood" grips appeared, which were supposed to be used only on the Lawman/Metro guns, but which were also put on the Trooper. These grips have an odd light "orange" color with no figure.
The older Colt guns, like the Python, use an action renowned for accuracy. This is due to the design that forces the cylinder into a tightly locked, perfect alignment with the bore, at the instant of firing. This design depends on a action in perfect adjustment to work.
The "J" series uses a system similar to all other revolver designs, in which the cylinder is allowed a slight amount of freedom to rotate at firing. This allows the cylinder to align itself with the bore.
While not as accurate as the Python, the Trooper III is almost always a very accurate revolver, due in part to the quality and rifling twist of Colt's barrels.
The best source of mechanical info on the Trooper Mark series, including how to disassemble for spring replacement, is Jerry Kuhnhausen's book, "The Colt Double Action Revolvers, A Shop Manual: Vol Two".
This should be a part of every Colt Mark series owner's gear.
By the standards of 1969 the Trooper Mark III was a "budget" gun, but by today's standard it would be considered a top of the line deluxe model.
BILLCA:
Thanks, and your congratulating my purchase of the Trooper Mark III, makes me feel better already! It was only a hard decision for me(To pick the Trooper MK III)because I was trying to get the most collectible Colt! However, most of these older guns, are not always in 100% condition(And you still have to pay a high price for them)! Since I also live in Kalifornia(Unfortunately!)I felt very "Lucky" to have found a NIB Trooper MK III! I decided to go for "Condition"(Rather than ultimate collectibility(And save the extra $$$)! I've never owned a Trooper before! But, I thought that my new Trooper Mark III, would look good, next to my 1960 vintage(4-inch)"engraved" Colt ".357"!!
What part of Kalifornia, do you live in?
Thanks, and your congratulating my purchase of the Trooper Mark III, makes me feel better already! It was only a hard decision for me(To pick the Trooper MK III)because I was trying to get the most collectible Colt! However, most of these older guns, are not always in 100% condition(And you still have to pay a high price for them)! Since I also live in Kalifornia(Unfortunately!)I felt very "Lucky" to have found a NIB Trooper MK III! I decided to go for "Condition"(Rather than ultimate collectibility(And save the extra $$$)! I've never owned a Trooper before! But, I thought that my new Trooper Mark III, would look good, next to my 1960 vintage(4-inch)"engraved" Colt ".357"!!
What part of Kalifornia, do you live in?
larryf1952
New member
Congratulations on your excellent gun buy! Even if your gun was made in 1984, I think that finding a NIB revolver that's over 20 years old is pretty remarkable.
I own both a 1978 vintage Python and a Trooper MKIII. I bought the MKIII brand new in 1980...I actually swapped a Mauser Parabellum for it straight across. The Mauser may be worth more today in excellent shape, but I wanted something that I wouldn't be afraid to shoot. And, what's all this talk about the MKIII being Colt's ugly duckling?
It may not be as elegant as a Python, but I think the MKIII is far from being ugly. As Dfariswheel said, the blue is exquisite, and I think the gun is quite a looker. Mine is a 6" .357, and I fitted it with a pair of Herrett's Shooting Star wooden stocks. The fact that I've kept the gun for almost 25 years, and not sold it, must mean something.
Dfariswheel, the number on my MKIII is 6051XX...is this a 1980 #? Thanks!
I own both a 1978 vintage Python and a Trooper MKIII. I bought the MKIII brand new in 1980...I actually swapped a Mauser Parabellum for it straight across. The Mauser may be worth more today in excellent shape, but I wanted something that I wouldn't be afraid to shoot. And, what's all this talk about the MKIII being Colt's ugly duckling?
It may not be as elegant as a Python, but I think the MKIII is far from being ugly. As Dfariswheel said, the blue is exquisite, and I think the gun is quite a looker. Mine is a 6" .357, and I fitted it with a pair of Herrett's Shooting Star wooden stocks. The fact that I've kept the gun for almost 25 years, and not sold it, must mean something. Dfariswheel, the number on my MKIII is 6051XX...is this a 1980 #? Thanks!
Dfariswheel
New member
There should be a letter in in there, either at the beginning, or the end, larryf1952.
larryf1952
New member
That letter would be an "L", at the end of the string. Thanks again!
Colt Trooper Mark III, Ugly?
Larryf1952:
Thanks for your nice comments! I was hoping that enough people might come forward, with enough "Praise" for the Colt Trooper Mark III's, to erase all of the "So called" bad problems with broken triggers(And, other parts!)? Just my guess, but it would seem that possibly these "Rare" problems, would most likely, have occured in the very early Mark III production? Maybe, this was due to not yet, "Perfecting" the powdered sintered metal, "Technique" in the initial stages of producing these revolvers?
No, I don't think that the Colt Trooper Mark III, is an "Ugly Duckling"! I said this to test the waters(So to speak!)to see if most Colt lovers would really find these Colt's to be, in fact "Ugly"? I'm glad to find out, that you do not think so! There was someone(On one of the Gun Forums)that stated that he felt that the Colt Trooper Mark III's were "The "Ugly Child" of Colt's! I thought that this was inappropriate, as was applied to these nice revolvers! I think that the reason, so many people might make such a statement, is because of the "Existence" of the "Python"! And, in turn, they have been "Blinded" by this!
Myself, I have always liked the beauty of short shrouded barrel's! And, I don't care to own a fully shrouded barrel, as these do not look as good to me on most revolvers(Except for the Colt Diamondback and the Python!)! I liked the early Pre-Trooper's and the Trooper(Without the barrel shroud)! But, I also like the shrouded barrel on the Trooper Mark III! It looks nice(As well as very business like!)! I'm very impressed, with finding one of these revolvers, in NIB condition! It hasn't happened very often(Only when I recently found a Colt "Viper", that I also bought!)!
Larryf1952:
Thanks for your nice comments! I was hoping that enough people might come forward, with enough "Praise" for the Colt Trooper Mark III's, to erase all of the "So called" bad problems with broken triggers(And, other parts!)? Just my guess, but it would seem that possibly these "Rare" problems, would most likely, have occured in the very early Mark III production? Maybe, this was due to not yet, "Perfecting" the powdered sintered metal, "Technique" in the initial stages of producing these revolvers?
No, I don't think that the Colt Trooper Mark III, is an "Ugly Duckling"! I said this to test the waters(So to speak!)to see if most Colt lovers would really find these Colt's to be, in fact "Ugly"? I'm glad to find out, that you do not think so! There was someone(On one of the Gun Forums)that stated that he felt that the Colt Trooper Mark III's were "The "Ugly Child" of Colt's! I thought that this was inappropriate, as was applied to these nice revolvers! I think that the reason, so many people might make such a statement, is because of the "Existence" of the "Python"! And, in turn, they have been "Blinded" by this!
Myself, I have always liked the beauty of short shrouded barrel's! And, I don't care to own a fully shrouded barrel, as these do not look as good to me on most revolvers(Except for the Colt Diamondback and the Python!)! I liked the early Pre-Trooper's and the Trooper(Without the barrel shroud)! But, I also like the shrouded barrel on the Trooper Mark III! It looks nice(As well as very business like!)! I'm very impressed, with finding one of these revolvers, in NIB condition! It hasn't happened very often(Only when I recently found a Colt "Viper", that I also bought!)!
Dfariswheel
New member
Boa2:
#219xxU was made in 1981.
The "U" series began that year with 0001U, and ended around 31289U
larryf1952
6051XL was made in 1980.
The "L" series that year ran from 55766L to 80698L.
#219xxU was made in 1981.
The "U" series began that year with 0001U, and ended around 31289U
larryf1952
6051XL was made in 1980.
The "L" series that year ran from 55766L to 80698L.
alouie7498
Inactive
Another Trooper MK iii .22 wmr
Nice Gun! I picked one up from a Neighbor needing cash ($450), a few years back. Knowing they were a bit rare, I figured it was worthwhile. It's a 6" Nickle, S/N# Y24472, w/Pachmayr Gold Colt Medallion Grips. The 50% Blue Book Premium was (Good) news to me. What I've read on these were a less than friendly Action, weight and (High) cost limited their popularity with Police. For me, it's a great Varmint gun and a Fav of my 15 yr old Son. I'd be interested to know of estimated Values.
Nice Gun! I picked one up from a Neighbor needing cash ($450), a few years back. Knowing they were a bit rare, I figured it was worthwhile. It's a 6" Nickle, S/N# Y24472, w/Pachmayr Gold Colt Medallion Grips. The 50% Blue Book Premium was (Good) news to me. What I've read on these were a less than friendly Action, weight and (High) cost limited their popularity with Police. For me, it's a great Varmint gun and a Fav of my 15 yr old Son. I'd be interested to know of estimated Values.
I would like to know who considers the Trooper MkIII unpopular? To be honest though I would have gotten the 357 over the MkIII. Now they are really nice shooters and one day their prices will go thru the roof. They have tuned actions and not a lot of them were made.
Last edited:
Awesome trigger action, like all Colt double-actions
My great uncle has one. It is ugly compared to other Colts. But if you're used to modern DA triggers, the trigger on it is divine.
As a point of reference, I just polished the action of my new SP-101 and installed reduced-power springs. It still doesn't hold a candle to the smoothness of the stock Colt trigger. (both single & double action pulls)
In another thread of mine, someone mentioned this is because it has the longest hammer arc, and so the springs don't need to be as stout. I suspect the lockwork was designed for smoothness above all else, which is why they're known for smoothness and lack of durability.
Long story short, buy it if you don't intend to shoot a lot of magnums through it.
My great uncle has one. It is ugly compared to other Colts. But if you're used to modern DA triggers, the trigger on it is divine.
As a point of reference, I just polished the action of my new SP-101 and installed reduced-power springs. It still doesn't hold a candle to the smoothness of the stock Colt trigger. (both single & double action pulls)
In another thread of mine, someone mentioned this is because it has the longest hammer arc, and so the springs don't need to be as stout. I suspect the lockwork was designed for smoothness above all else, which is why they're known for smoothness and lack of durability.
Long story short, buy it if you don't intend to shoot a lot of magnums through it.
dandypoint
Inactive
Trooper MK III
Can anyone decode the serial number for a Trooper MK III
It is 74947L.
Can anyone decode the serial number for a Trooper MK III
It is 74947L.
I bought mine new in about 1969 or 1970 (J series) and have reloaded more rounds than I can count or remember and fired them in this revolver. It is still as accurate and tight as when new. The only change is that the trigger is smoother than most Pythons i have tried though it is slighter longer in pull. I also must have put 15 to 20 boxes of 110 gr Super vel ammo through it.'
It is a GREAT revolver!
It is a GREAT revolver!