Colt Trooper

[788Ham]

Guy's, I found a Colt Trooper .38 spl. lying on a pawn shop shelf, just waiting to go home! The pawn is about 10 miles from home, I frequent the place, just to browse, get ideas, you know! $425 OTD, even had the original box and small screwdriver they came with, tag on box marked with "Wide spur hammer- target style grips." This piece is about 96%, some slight holster wear on the muzzle and edges of the cylinder, otherwise near perfect. The bore is pristine, lockup is Colt vault like, not a shimmer of movement. This was made in 1961, per Colts website. Hopefully I can get some range time this weekend, will let you know how it acts! Don't know how to upload pics, I am not that savvy guys, hope you understand! I've already informed Guillermo ! Ha

 

[22-rimfire]

Very good choice. I would be hard pressed to not buy that gun if I found it at that price. I'm more of a 22 Trooper fan, but I wouldn't let it slide by without giving it a new home.

 

[skidder]

They are nice shooters and that sounds like a fair price. Grab it!
You are correct about the lockup, never seen anything like it.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

It would be at my house by now.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

If that is a dedicated .38 Special (cylinder won't accept .357 Magnum, stamped .38 Spl. on the barrel), would that not be rare? I've never heard of any generation of Trooper in anything but .357.

 

[4v50 Gary]

From page 265 of James Serven's book, Colt Firearms (From 1836):

The original Colt Trooper was released in 1953 in calibers 22 LR and 38 Special. The 22 LR version was discontinued in 1963.

One year after the Trooper was introduced, the Colt .357 Magnum Revolver was released in 1954. This was later renamed the Colt Trooper.

 

[788Ham]

It is stamped ".38 Special" on the heavy barrel. I did check on the Colt web, it was made in 1961. Thanks for your input, its resting in the stable with the other 2 Colts.

Thanks for your input 4v50 Gary, I'm learning more all the time about these, was amazed it was still there.

 

[bikemutt]

Range report needed when you've had an opportunity to shoot it.

I'm thinking one of these would compliment my S&W model 14 and 15 guns, and keep them on their best behavior

Congrats and good deal, BTW.

 

[Guillermo]

I've already informed Guillermo ! Ha

Yes

he already rubbed my nose in the fact that he saw it before me :banghead:


JK
It is a great gun at a VERY GOOD price.

I am glad it found a good home.

Waiting impatiently for pics and a range report



788HAM,

BTW, my last two revolver purchases have been S&Ws

(both from the 50s. Both gifts. Model 10 & K22)

 

[Checkman]

1961 was the last year that Colt made the .38 Spl Trooper and the .357 Magnum (which was also a Trooper, but with a deep glossy blue job and in .357 Magnum). Starting in 1962 the Trooper was available in either .38 Spl or .357 Magnum. I also own a 4" Colt Trooper in .38 Special. It was also manufactured in 1961. Mine has the target hammer on it. Very nice revolver. If you haven't already I would grab it. I paid $375 for mine last November. I could pay cash so the dealer came down from $400.00, but prices do seem to be creeping on even the .38 Troopers. For many years they could be had for almost nothing, but that seems to be changing.

 

[Starter52]

Congratulations on your find. I have original Troopers in .22 and .357, but I've never seen one marked .38 Special. I don't think all that many were made.

One question, if I may - Did your gun come with the smaller service grips or the larger target grips?

 

[dfariswheel]

Colt made a LOT of .38 Special Troopers.
It was a favorite of many sheriff's departments and police departments who didn't want the .357 but wanted an adjustable sighted revolver.

Introduced in 1953 the Trooper was discontinued in 1969. I'd guess most Troopers made after 1961 were .357's but still, a lot of .38's were sold up until the end of production in '69.

Throughout production, the Trooper was available with the customers choice of any combination of Target hammer, Target grips, Service hammer, or Service grips.

 

[788Ham]

Starter52, Mine came with the wide target hammer and the target grips.

Guillermo, Checkman's piece looks identical to mine, other than mine has a smidgen of wear on each side of the muzzle, and just a touch on the muzzle side of the cylinder, course, grips are originals.
I took that bad boy to the range today, whew! what a shooter. I set the target up at 15 yards, shot off hand first 12 rounds, all on the paper, a tad high, but thats probably me, all shots approx. 1:00 o'clock, 3" high of the bull. I changed targets and shot again, this time sandbagged, I was holding the bulls eye on top of the frnt sight, all 18 rds were within a 4" circle @ 15 yards, most holes were several bullets into the same holes. I was more than happy for the first time shooting this revolver. So smoooooth, the action on these pieces are amazing, the trigger break was like glass, crisp, really fun time today. This was all fact. ammo, I'm in the process of getting some loaded at my bench, but couldn't wait to bust a few loose. I am going to have my wife help me get some pics downloaded, I promise! Thanks dfaris for the info, appreciate everything you've written.

Jim

 

[Remllez]

Ham, the V-Spring Colts of that era were some of the finest the factory ever produced and it shows up in fit, finish and on the range. Congratulations and happy shooting!

 

[Checkman]

The .38 Trooper is a very nice shooter. A target model. Love it.