Which revolver is considered the best DA Colt?
- Thread starter croyance
- Start date
Sir William
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I would say the Colt J frames. 357, Trooper, Lawman, up through the MK V. A friend thinks the inexpensive Colt Metropolitan is great. I like my Colt Trooper MKIII 357 Magnum with 4" barrel and nickel finish. If I ever find a holster I like, I intend to CCW my Colt Lawman 357 Magnum with 2" barrel and blue finish. I have Colt revolvers from a 1894 DA 38 6" and Police Positives or Police Positive Specials but, I really enjoy the Colt J frames in 357 Magnum. I do own a S&W M19 and a Dan Wesson M15-2V in 357 Magnum. The Colt J frame Trooper MKIII simply is more accurate and soaks up recoil.
This hardly answers the question but after the short action S&W revolvers were introduced, someone at the time starting claiming the older long action revolvers were much smoother or otherwise better. This naturally created a sudden demand for the older revolvers.
There was a minor market for tuning up revolvers even before WWII and it sometimes included alteration of the frames, like removing the front of the trigger guard, something that is now long out of fashion. Colt's representative Fitzgerald was apparently a proponent of tuned up Colt revolvers. One method of achieving a smoother trigger pull at the time was to try different components in the hope of finding a combination that worked well but that is something that could only be done with a basketfull of spare parts.
There was a minor market for tuning up revolvers even before WWII and it sometimes included alteration of the frames, like removing the front of the trigger guard, something that is now long out of fashion. Colt's representative Fitzgerald was apparently a proponent of tuned up Colt revolvers. One method of achieving a smoother trigger pull at the time was to try different components in the hope of finding a combination that worked well but that is something that could only be done with a basketfull of spare parts.
22-rimfire
New member
The best Colt is the Python. I had gotten away from 357's for awhile and recently purchased a Trooper Mark III (6" blue) 357. I frankly can tell little difference between the Mark III and the Python for fit, finish, trigger, and accuracy. These also tend to be one of the less expensive Colt 357's. I recommend it hightly. The only reported weakness of the Mark III is that you should resist dry firing it due to possible firing pin damage.
The Trooper Mark III was revised into the Trooper Mark V. Have not shot one of these, but the main purpose was to allow quicker double action fire. The King Cobra, Lawman, Metropolatin, etc are all variations of the Mark V action. Have not shot any of these, but I would assume they are consistant with Colt's standards.
The Trooper 357 or the 357 Magnum models were introduced just prior to the Python being introduced. It is said that the hand fitting and overall performance of these guns are consistant with the Python. They are good ones to acquire. I have the 22 variations, but not the 357's or 38spls.
The Trooper Mark III was revised into the Trooper Mark V. Have not shot one of these, but the main purpose was to allow quicker double action fire. The King Cobra, Lawman, Metropolatin, etc are all variations of the Mark V action. Have not shot any of these, but I would assume they are consistant with Colt's standards.
The Trooper 357 or the 357 Magnum models were introduced just prior to the Python being introduced. It is said that the hand fitting and overall performance of these guns are consistant with the Python. They are good ones to acquire. I have the 22 variations, but not the 357's or 38spls.
Person of Interest
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The Python. As Jeff Cooper once observed: "The Python is expensive and it should be."
Pistolenschutze
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OK, here I go being contrary again. I think the best revolver Colt ever built was the old Dick Special. Unlike the Python, it's actually small enough to use for something useful. ::::quickly ducking into concrete bunker before P of I starts the artillery barrage::::: 
My vote is for the fifties vintage Officer Model Match/Special series of revolvers. My, what shooters they were (are). The postwar forties, the fifties and into the sixties was an era that produced some of the finest Colt (and Smith&Wesson) target revolvers ever. Then somebody had the "bright" idea of sticking a lint and moisture collecting ventilated rib on top of a perfectly good Officers Model Match...go figure.