Finally got a .357 ...

[blarby]

Wife decided to go on a gun buying spree today, and this is what I ended up with.

Very accurate Colt Trooper MK III, showing honest to goodness holster wear from what I assume to be a service lifes' carry.

Bright shiny bore, timed perfectly, shoots like a champ.

Never thought I'd like a "smaller" revolver ( does a J frame count as small ? ) but I needed something I could begin to carry, and this certainly fits the bill.

I do have the original wood grips, but it came with the pacs, and since the wood grips appeared to be unused, I switched to the pacs immediately, and like them just as much.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Nothing wrong with that...

 

[kilibreaux]

The Trooper III never got the credit it deserved because everyone was salivating over the Python.
However, the Trooper is a very fine revolver that is actually superior to the Python when it comes to lock-work.
The Trooper was Colt's last foray into the police revolver arena and so is OVERBUILT for the task.
Bear in mind that Colt's cylinders rotate to the right which means the hand is pushing the cylinder into the frame...even if the cylinder release failed, the cylinder cannot pop out. Having said that, Colt's cylinders lock "forward" and so cannot fail under recoil.
You have a very nice revolver that will shoot whatever you choose to shoot.

 

[rswartsell]

Superior to the Python in Lockwork? Wow.

The Colt Trooper Mk III is a very good revolver, no doubt. I bought my first brand new in '77. It's strength is just that, strength (of frame). The PREDOMINATE reason for the change evidenced by the Mk III series in '69 was reduction of cost of production. The WEAKNESS was the "lockwork" or the action. That is why there was a Mk V.

I'm a fan, so I'm not saying it was (is) in any way a bad revolver, but anyone claiming superiority of lockwork over a Python doesn't understand either revolver. Oh and BTW, the 2" Lawman is quite a handful for CCW. The 4" Trooper was a duty weapon.

While it conceivably can be concealed that is in no way what it was designed for.

Congrats on a fine revolver. Endeavor to understand what you have and let it play to it's strengths and it will likely outlast you.

 

[Ky Larry]

Looks like a lifetime of good shooting.

 

[blarby]

Looks like a lifetime of good shooting.

Thats the hope !

 

[aarondhgraham]

Mine is a fine shooter,,,

Her name is Raquel,,,
She was a rancher's everyday carry for many years.



You made a fine purchase my friend,,,
Now get thee to a range.

Aarond

.

 

[SwampWolf]

The beefy frame helps make the Trooper MK III a very sturdy and strong revolver. Looks like you got a very nice one. I'm sure you'll like yours as well as I like mine-a lot!

 

[cfoodeat]

Congratulations on a nice revolver.

 

[Hometeached1]

Nice Colt!
Now as aarondhgraham said.

You made a fine purchase my friend,,,
Now get thee to a range.

 

[greenmtnguy]

Nice! As others have pointed out, these are great revolvers - you will enjoy it!

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Wow...nice find and welcome to the .357 club and party.

The more I shoot and the more guns I own, the more I play with my .357 revolvers. They are my comfort food.

VooDoo

 

[Coffee357]

What a beautiful gun ! The ONLY negative I seem to remember about the Troopers was the concern over the sinstered metal used in the hammers (cant remember if it was the MkIII or the V). That being said, I never saw one that had failed. Think this could be compared to the more recent MIM debates :-j ...

 

[Walkalong]

concern over the sinstered metal

As long as no one polishes/grinds through the hardened surface, there is no need to worry.

blarby made a fine choice for a first .357 magnum.

I haven't named mine.

 

[blarby]

Thanks walkalong !

Just waiting on my .358 sizer so I can shoot it more !

 

[Lucky Derby]

Congrats. That's a great revolver.

 

[bannockburn]

blarby

A Colt Trooper Mk.III was my first .357, though it was many years ago. Built like a tank it was one great shooting revolver. Foolishly traded it in for a new semi-auto.

One thing you want to watch is the rolled cross pin that holds the rear sight in place. When it broke I replaced it with a solid pin.

 

[HexHead]

Superior to the Python in Lockwork? Wow.

Yeah, that's just nuts.

 

[RealGun]

Just waiting on my .358 sizer so I can shoot it more !

What is that exactly? Is it like my 38 Cowboy die set...maybe an M die...what? Where does one buy it?

 

[USSR]

Quote:
Just waiting on my .358 sizer so I can shoot it more !

What is that exactly? Is it like my 38 Cowboy die set...maybe an M die...what? Where does one buy it?

I'm assuming he is talking about a sizer to size cast lead bullets to .358".

Don

 

[RealGun]

I'm assuming he is talking about a sizer to size cast lead bullets to .358".

I got that part but know of no such product (as a single die) except maybe special order, which I don't believe you can currently do. However, I am aware that the Redding Dual Ring Sizer (for serious money) will give similar results. I don't know that one is yet offered in 38 caliber. I am interested mainly in the source that is able to supply such things for the lead bullet loader.

 

[USSR]

RealGun,

He is not talking about dies. He is talking about the very common sizers used in Lyman and RCBS Lubrisizers to size cast lead bullets to the proper .358" size for use in .38 Special and .357 Magnum revolvers.

Don

 

[blarby]

Don for the win !

 

[tom327]

As much as I like Trooper Mark IIIs, what really impresses me is "Wife decided to go on a gun buying spree today..."

You are a very lucky man!

 

[RealGun]

RealGun,

He is not talking about dies. He is talking about the very common sizers used in Lyman and RCBS Lubrisizers to size cast lead bullets to the proper .358" size for use in .38 Special and .357 Magnum revolvers.

Got it.

I wonder though about the word sizer without qualification, such as bullet sizer. What blew right past me is due to recent heavy involvement in sizing dies (for cases).