.38 spl. Colt Trooper--parts and gunsmith

[tbeb]

I have a post in the revolver forum to help me decide if I should buy a .38 special S&W Model 10-8, or a .38 spl. Colt Trooper, manufactured in 1957. Both are in excellent mechanical condion with excellent bores. I like both guns. My concern is that if the old Colt someday needs repair work, will it be fairly easy to find someone who can fix it, even if it needs a part? Thanks.

 

[Jim K]

Both are excellent guns. My personal preference is for the S&W. It is true that gunsmiths who can work on Colts are becoming thin on the ground, but I don' t think there is a real problem as long as Colt itself is still around. Most parts are plentiful.

In other words, buy whichever you like. Check your choice out good, using the tips in the "float" above. One point, though. Due to the way the guns work, a Colt cylinder will rarely lock up fully if the hammer is cocked and the cylinder held back. Some newbies consider this a big problem, but in actual operation, the guns will lock up before the round fires.

Jim

 

[dfariswheel]

Since the old model Trooper has essentially the same action as the Colt Python, Official Police, Officer's Model Match, and other mid-frame older Colt's, spare parts will be available for many years.

Gun Parts Corporation, Jack First Gun Parts, Brownell's, and Colt have parts, and will for some time, especially as Colt still makes the Python.

For repairs, Colt, Cylinder & Slide, and Pittsburgh Handgun Headquarters will continue to repair the older Colt's for many years.

The old Model Trooper can be seen as a "poor man's Python", since the Python is really just a Trooper with a different barrel, a better blue job, and a hand-tuned action.

As a side note: There are two versions of the old Trooper.38 Special guns. The early model had a firing pin mounted on the hammer, the later versions had the pin mounted in the frame, like the Python.

 

[tbeb]

"This is a nice revolver that shows some honest wear. I would rate the finish at about 85% with some flecking. Has original checkered grips. Timing is right on; lock up is tight, action is very smooth. Fully adjustable rear sight. Wide target hammer; grooved trigger; tapered barrel. These were made in the 50s-60s. Wonderful balance. Excellent bore. Appears to have been carried more than shot. Serial # 9188XX. This is a solid piece in fine condition finish wise and excellent mechanically."

Above is seller's description of Colt Trooper. He compared Colt trigger to a S&W Model 15 that he has, and said Colt's is better. I can get it for $225 shipped (Model 10-8 is $190). All I have is a picture--I'd be buying sight unseen because it's on an online auction. (Owner of this gun has sold or bought 216 items, and every person who bought from him or sold to him has nothing but positive comments. Granted, every item was not a gun.)


Whichever gun I buy is for my son and his wife. Wifey is 5'-2" and petite. Will the Colt grip with original grips that don't cover the backstrap, fit most hands like the S&W Model 10 with stock grips does? I'm talking about the grips that start at the top of the grip frame, and fill the space behind the trigger guard. If it doesn't then I can forget Colt.

 

[JoeHatley]

Colt I frame and S&W K frame grips are very similar. The Colt is just a bit deeper at the very bottom. My wife is also 5'2" and she has no problem with the grip size on either one.

Good Luck...

Joe

 

[dfariswheel]

A Trooper #9188XX is a 1957 vintage.

It PROBABLY has the firing pin on the hammer.

$225.00 is about right.

An original 1958 factory target hammer-target stock Trooper should have the original-type fully checkered grips. These grips alone, bring $100-$150 on Ebay.

If you have problems with these larger grips, I recommend Hogue's rubber or wood Mono-grip. These fit smaller hands very well.

 

[tbeb]

This trooper has wide target hammer, grooved trigger, and adjustable sights. Grips are those which cover the whole grip frame, and fill the space behind the trigger guard. My bad... Gun will cost me $245 (225 + 20 transfer). Are these the grips that fit your wife, Joe?

 

[Old Fuff]

All grips made for the Python will fit this particualr Trooper. Numrich/The Parts Corp. has smaller frame-sized grips (used) for about $8.00. If you like the gun I wouldn't worry about the grips. If there is a problem it will be an easy fix.