Colt Trooper MK III vs. Colt Python

C

Cliff

New member
I own a Colt Trooper MK III .357 6" that I bought back in the late 70's.

What I REALLY wanted was a Python (who didn't?) but at the time I simply couldn't afford it. So... I 'settled' for the Trooper. Paid a little less than $300 for it as I recall, and the Pythons' were over $500.

The thing is, I really love my Trooper. What started out as the 'second asked date to the prom' turned out to be a very pleasant surprise.

And no, I am not generally prone to anthropomorphizing my firearms. :)

BUT... I STILL lust after a Python! Still. The Trooper was MFD'd years ago, while the Python is still a glory gal.

My question (finally) - have any of you fine folk shot both? If so, do you believe the Python to be far superior? If so, why?

Cliff
 
I've owned a Python and a Peacekeeper (parkerized Trooper MKIII w/rubber grip). The fit and finish on the Python were far better, and the Python's trigger was much smoother OOTB, Peacekeeper's trigger smoothed up after 400-500 rnds and was nearly equal to the Python. Accuracy was a toss-up. I felt equally armed carrying either.

Was the Python worth twice as much as the Peacekeeper? Not in my eyes, they were equally capable tools. If you are into the gee-whiz factor and impressing your shooting buds, the Python is for you.



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Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war.
 
The older Troopers were great and had the same internal lockwork and potential for smooth triggers like the Python. I considered forging a Python by mating a Python barrel with a Trooper frame, but the giveaway would have been the Trooper's hammer mounted firing pin. It would have ruined a good Trooper too.
 
Rex, Gary - Thanks for the replies!

I checked out a used SS Python 6" today. The hammer draw was silky smooth and very light. The trigger break felt about right, but no better than my Trooper.

On the downside, the crane to frame fit was less precise than I would expect, and the pistol seemed 'light.' I asked the dealer when it was manufactured - mid '90's. Price was $750.00

I'll stick with my Trooper. :)

Cliff
 
My first gun was a Colt Trooper Mk. III,Blued
with a 6" barrel, bought on the reccomendation of the gun shop owner. It was
an excellent revolver and a good choice for
an introduction to shooting. I know everyone
suggests a .22 for a first gun but shooting
148gr. .38 wadcutters in a big .357 is not at
all intimidating. Traded it for a Hi-Power.
Don't regret the trade but regret not having
the Trooper.
 
I,like you, have wanted a Python for a long time but did not like the trigger or the finish on other Colt sixguns. I finally found the Python that I wanted,a few months ago, and by some miracle had the cash to buy it. It is one made in the late 70's to early 80's by the Custom Shop and appears to be unfired. It is by far the finest handgun I have ever owned. The fit and finish are the best I have ever seen on any handgun. I have heard that the newer Pythons are not a well made as the older ones so maybe look around some more.
Good Luck
 
Greetings Cliff; I have owned several Colt
Trooper MK- III's over the years; along with
at least three Python's, and one Colt MK-V
Trooper. All were good guns, only problem
I encountered was that a firing pin bushing
moved forward in one of the Trooper MK-III's,
causing the cylinder to lock-up. Sent it to
Walter Craig in Selma, AL for repair. When
I got it back, the inside looked like a high
school kid had beat it back in place with
a ball peen hammer. :) Soon traded that one
a short time later. :D

Regards,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Troopers are serviceable weapons that could use a bit more polish in the lockworks. Otherwise, quite a fine using gun. Pythons are silky smooth,and the early 60s Nickel plated one I've shot extensively is one of the finest revolvers ever made.

Upstairs is a first model Trooper, made on the Python frame. It's a 38,with the smooth action but not the cosmetics of the Python. I sued in for some Service Revolver matches and did well. Finding one in a shop could be an option for those on a budget....
 
I bought a new 6" SS Python for $760, so keep walking if you can't pay less for used.

Jim Supica had a 1964 (the glory days) Python a couple months back in unfired for ~$600 (blue only back then), but, alas, its not in the current Old Town Station catalog.

My new one sucked and went back to Colt 4 times.

Consider an older blued that you could hard chrome for durability.
 
Sarco had a 6" blue Python Excellent listed
for $469. If they still have it, it would
be a steal.

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Never do an enemy a minor injury. Machiavelli
"Stay alive with a 45"
 
The Python is, or at any rate was, a fine revolver. I used to hear it referred to as the best revolver in the world. I wouldn't dispute that opinion, but it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the MK III. :) The fit and finish of my MK III (made in the mid-70s) are almost as good as my Python's, although of course the mechanisms are quite different. At one time, almost anything from Colt's was a gun to be proud of.
 
Yeah, that reputation is why I got stuck w/ 3 dogs (and 1 good one, the first one I bought) until I had had it with Colt.
 
B Shipley--sad but true. IMHO Colt's has outlived the legitimacy of its old-time reputation for consistently high quality. Will Colt's quality ever again be something we can depend on? I hope so, but frankly am not optimistic.
 
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