Colt Trooper Mk III...opinion?

[rswartsell]

I paid 429.00 on gunbroker a month ago and felt it was a good deal. The Mk III I got was 98% and good trigger. My bet even higher now.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Here is mine, just had to include the picture.

 

[S&W-Keeper]

It is awfully hard to find a Colt under $300 nowdays,you had better get it while you can.It is probably dirty, and need a good cleaning.

 

[bannockburn]

Nowhere Man

Well I just saw a used one today at Gander Mountain. Very clean, but no box or paperwork. Price on it was $999.

 

[Nowhere Man]

Probably the same gun.


Dave

 

[sharpetop]

I purchased one N.I.B. in 1978. Like an idiot, I traded it two or three years ago on something I couldn't live without. I sure wish I had my Trooper back!

Buy it!

 

[Duke of Doubt]

I've never owned a Trooper; my Colts are older. Colt double-action triggers "stack", meaning pull gets heavier through the stroke. Stacking pull made Colts less desirable for double action tactical shooting than Smiths back in the 1950s and 1960s when police agencies switched over from bullseye training. Smith then took the market from Colt. For single action bullseye shooting, Colts beat Smiths hands down.

 

[Walkalong]

Very nice looking Trooper there earlthegoat2. I have 2, I want more.

 

[ironvic]

I spent some quality time with my Colt Trooper last night. Put my laptop on the kitchen table and watched Dawn of the Dead on DVD. There's nothing like cleaning a Trooper while watching the scene with the guys going through the mall gun shop as zombies "browse" outside the doors. Old school heaven!

 

[Steve C]

I've owned this Trooper MKIII since 1975 when I bought it used from a gun store for for around $100 which was a lot of money to a college student in those days. It will shoot a 2.5" group like this one at 25 yds with 158gr LSWC reloads all day.

 

[lsufan1971]

Mkiii

I paid $650 for this one at a gun show in April. I have always been a Smith guy. I have 6 K frames, a model 27 and I have to say I love this gun.

 

[Confederate]

Yep, I would have bought it, too. The Mark IIIs were not known for being a great revolver, though by today's standards it would be a nice gun to have in one's collection. The Mark V was a better designed pistol and was more accurate, plus the grip was a great improvement over that of the Mark III. Why Colt put the grips it did on the Mark III and the Python I'll never know, but they was great if you had a hand like an orangutan!

Just the workmanship alone would be worth the three hundred bucks, and the bluing. A S&W 19 and the Ruger Security-Six were better guns, IMO, but the Mark III was a Colt, and for that reason alone I'd buy it.

 

[22-rimfire]

The Mark III is probably one of the strongest 357 mag revolvers ever made. That includes Ruger. The Ruger Security Six is not in the same league. I consider the Mark III about equal to the Smith Model 19. It just depends if you're a Colt or Smith person as to which one you prefer. I have both.

In case no one noticed, this thread started in 2005. These days a good one will cost you in the $450-$600 range. Pretty good appreciation, huh? Anything less is a steal and anything more ... well it would depend on caliber, condition, finish etc. The 22 WMR is the most desireable of the Mark III caliber offerings. I love my 357.

 

[earlthegoat2]

What about the the model 27 and 28 Smiths. N Frame 6 shot 357s. They have some pretty good stregth too.

Now if you meant stregth to size ratio then yes probably Colt MK IIIs will take it.

 

[BhmBill]

For $300? I'd be all over it.

Even $100 at a gun smith to smooth the trigger out is a good deal.
They're going for $600+ here.

I love mine. One of the best, if not the best double action and single action trigger pulls of any gun i've shot.

I carry a S&W 581, but really prefer the feel of the MKIII.

Great gun.

 

[Blue Brick]

Nothing is stronger than Ruger. Period. Higher quality steel and a better design.