Colt Trooper MkIII: Yea or Nay?

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If I wanted one, I'd buy that one. I would check it out before buying, but I feel sure that it is just fine unless someone has messed with the trigger. My first Trooper Mark III was a 6" 357 and I was and continue to be very pleased with this revolver. The trigger and accuracy is very good on the 6". People mostly compare them to the Python and it is not a Python. It was never intended to be a Python and designed to compete with the S&W line with a comparable trigger as most models of that time period. My focus has always been the rimfire versions which I have a couple. I'd like a few more.
 
I handled a very clean used one at a brand new gunstore recently, and was very impressed with the slickness and smoothness of the action. I think they were asking $650 or so, and I wished I had the bucks to spare !!!
 
I think the first MK III's had sintered metal parts and they could be problematic. Colt straightened it out with later production MK IIIs.

I have a Colt Trooper, but it's an early one with the same lockwork as a Python. Took it shooting for the first time the other day to train my nephews.
 
i bought one about 1980. i wore the timing out 3 times and finally sold it. i still miss that gun.
dennis
 
I brokered a deal on one for my dad. He's killed quite a few close range deer with it and Good knows how many squirrels died of head trauma. His is actually quite well made, decently finished, and dealt accurate with both .38 special and .357 magnum loads. I took it to a local PPC match done years ago and shot a 600, 58X on the combat 600 course of fire. My suggestion is not to buy one sight unseen though.
 
It is my understanding that the sintered parts could not be polished down much as the hardening was very thin, so if someone got after it, the part was ruined and would wear badly. Maybe they had some growing pains with sintered parts like they did with MIM. I don't know though.
 
Picked my MK III up in around 1980. Solid handgun. Not as smooth as my smiths. I get it out a few times a year but not my favorite to shoot. Definitely worth picking up for a decent price. Cant touch them around here in nice shape for under 600, most closer to 700.
 
I can’t speak to the Mark 3, but earlier this year I paid $500 for a Mark 5. It shot real nice, smooth trigger and very accurate. I wanted to keep it but I found a nice S&W that I like better and traded it off.
 
I like the trooper mkIII's. I have a 4" and 6". I paid $400 for the 4" with a little wear, sight unseen off an auction with good pictures and $500 was the asking price for the 6" in nicer shape in a trade I made with a pm40 at a local show.
The triggers on both of mine are pretty good, smooth without stacking but a just little heavy for my tastes.
I've had one apart completely for cleaning and its a pretty simple action to get back together.
The only thing I dont like about them is the press out firing pin assembly that must be replaced at the factory if it ever breaks, and I don't know if they have firing pins anymore for that action.
 
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I've been a Smith fan for more than 20 years. I picked a trooper mk lll a few months ago and couldn't be happier with it. I wanted to cut back on 357 mags loads in my k frames . I've owned a 28-2 with a 6" barrel and always thought the N frame was overly big for the 357 caliber.
Around here 700 is about right if they have factory grips.
Mine is a 6" nickel but I plan on adding a blue if the right deal comes along.
 
No, but only because I already have some S&W Model-19's and -686's. If I needed a service-carry type revolver, then yes, I'd buy a Trooper in a minute.
 
I bought a Colt Trooper, made in '64, at a pawn shop, .38 Spl. w/box, got it for $300 OTD. Carried a lot, not shot much, got this 2 years ago. Best deal on a used revolver, smooth action and shoots like a dream..... until I found a Smith 14, 6" about 3 months ago, $400 from a friend, Mmm, almost as good as the Colt.
 
The trigger on a MkIII can't be modified. It's a "get what you get" proposition. Some are pretty rough, others can actually be quite good. The cast pieces (MIM) can't be smoothed out because the hardened surfaces are very thin. I have a MkIII that has a reasonably good trigger and it has proven to be a great, and very accurate shooter. The entire MkIII line has a reputation for being very rugged guns. I also own a few of the older models: Including a Model 3-5-7 and an Officer's Match. The MkIII triggers simply can't be compared with the older hand-fitted guns. You might be able to find an early Trooper or Officer's Model fairly close to your price range. I don't know what they're trading for lately. Pythons are priced in the stratosphere. The key to buying a MkIII is being able to inspect the gun. As has been mentioned, DO NOT dry fire without snap caps. Happy hunting.
 
Bought my first, a 4" in 75. It's trigger was rough. Sold when I left law enforcement. Bought a 6" about 5 years ago from a dealer at a gun show. It is immaculate, the dealer bought it for his collection. Then he decided he didn't like the cylinder ring, which was the only worn blue. Sold it as a shooter. This one has a smooth trigger, it is one of the later guns.
 
I once owned - sadly let it get away from me - a 4" and fired others on the range and came to one conclusion: it's a brute strong revolver with a lousy dbl pull trigger (but nice single action), handles very well, has excellent sights and is as accurate as a revolver can possibly be....like one (1) hole at 25 yards. Wish I still had one. :banghead:
 
As others have stated, a bull-strong, accurately rifled revolver.

Triggers were hit / miss. More miss then hit. There is little one can do to a MKIII trigger.

To check the timing: thumb back the hammer as slow as you possibly can. Then see if the cylinder is completely locked.

The (somewhat rare) MKV is a much better gun. The lock works are different. It's a much smoother action, and has a cool fluted barrel (aka Python-style).
 
I am always on the look out for reasonably priced revolvers. If I saw a nice MkIII I would buy it in a heartbeat. Many years ago I had one and it was rugged and accurate. I was young and foolish and I sold it to fund a Ruger SBH. After a half a box of .44 mags, I hated the Ruger and longed to get my Colt back.

It took almost thirty years for me to find a suitable replacement in this 1968 Trooper. I have a Python also, but at what they are bringing these days, I prefer to leave it in the safe.

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I'm assuming those $500-$600 prices that you are seeing are for the .357 version ? I would be surprised if you find the .22 version that cheap. If you do, jump on it. They are only going to increase in value.
 
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