New to me Colt in the stable.

[ontarget]

I stopped by my favorite LGS yesterday to see if they had anything that I couldn't live without. Turns out that they did.
It's a 1960 Colt model 3-5-7, from what I can tell through my research. SN is 24xxx.
Tag said it was a Trooper but it doesn't say that on the gun, Just says Colt 357.
Anyway, it's got the Colt lock up and super smooth DA trigger.
This one is FILTHY! Looks like it wasn't cleaned since the Nixon Administration was in the White House.
Screw heads are very crisp, grips are nice, but show a few scratches.
So this is only my second Colt revolver and I'm just learning as I go. I've always been a S&W fan, so it's a whole new world of models and history and values and such.
I got this one for $450. OTD. How'd I do?

 

[shoebox1.1]

I think you did pretty well. Congrats. I’m no expert but those are solid guns. No sintered metal fire control groups like the later troopers iirc

 

[Rock185]

That's probably a good price for a functional 3-5-7 model. I have one used by an old lawman, and used to have one of the old V-Spring Troopers from the same era. I'm a S&W guy, but still like these old Colts.

 

[vanfunk]

Love it! Those have beautiful actions and are very accurate. What’s the serial number range? Florida State Patrol ordered some in nickel but they were in the 12k serial number range. Only about 25k were made in total so yours is late production. That’s a reasonably rare gun if it’s factory nickel. Very nice find IMO.

 

[ontarget]

Love it! Those have beautiful actions and are very accurate. What’s the serial number range? Florida State Patrol ordered some in nickel but they were in the 12k serial number range. Only about 25k were made in total so yours is late production. That’s a reasonably rare gun if it’s factory nickel. Very nice find IMO.

SN is 24xxx. How can I tell if it's factory nickel on a Colt?
The finish on this one is satiny but where it was rubbing on a holster is very shiny.

 

[megatronrules]

Sweet man I love revolvers Colt revolvers especially. Great gun enjoy it.

 

[shoebox1.1]

Their nickel was called something special. Folks with more knowledge might chime in. Cool nickel process

 

[James K2020]

Should post it on the Colt Forum. I have read that the forcing cone can have issues-tend to crack but I'm no expert, only what others have said. The price sure seems right. Enjoy!

 

[UncleEd]

If it is the same finish that I had on a Python, a bit of polishing with
Flitz will turn into a bright nickel specimen. Not saying that should
be done. Best leave it in factory trim.

But for the barrels, always thought of those models as Pythons
in disguise.

 

[Yamifrk]

I’m a smith guy as well, that being said I don’t think I would have walked away from that one, nice score @ontarget

 

[Walkalong]

I got this one for $450. OTD. How'd I do?

Looks like a cool gun and a great pickup for that. I'd do it in a flash.

 

[dfariswheel]

The finish is not a Colt factory finish.
Best guess is that it's hard chrome, which while not original, is about the best gun finish there is, it's a true lifetime finish.
Any type of nickel that looks like that is probably an electroless nickel.
If so it will likely have a slight amber tint common to nickel metal.

The grips are Italian made look-alikes, widely sold in the 1970's and early 80's and not factory.

The Colt 357 was intended to be Colt's top of the line holster revolver, and was until the Python was introduced.
The Python was really the 357 with the Python barrel, more tuning of the action, and a Royal Blue finish.
Since it's virtually the same gun as a Python, the 357 is often called "A poor man's Python".

$450 for a fine revolver like the 357 is armed robbery, and you were the one armed.
These typically sell for about twice that most places.

Here's some basic info on the 357.............

The Colt 357 I Frame Revolver - Colt Fever

Colt developed a totally new concept: a .357 magnum revolver built on a medium frame. Visit Colt Fever for details. Learn more.

coltfever.com

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Their nickel was called something special. Folks with more knowledge might chime in. Cool nickel process

Coltguard was their proprietary satin nickel- it was a kludge to get around their lack of skilled polishers due to labor troubles.

That gun predates Coltguard, so its either hard chrome or electroless nickel. Definitely not factory finish or grips.

Still, $450 is a good price for a cosmetically challenged, but mechanically sound .357/ Trooper.

You did fine on a "shooter-grade" gun. You'll probably enjoy it alot, I love mine.

 

[shoebox1.1]

Man I’m good! I was going to say Coltguard but I didn’t want to be wrong and too lazy to look it up BUT I did remember Coltguard!

 

[Pudge]

$450.00 for any American made .357, is a good deal. I wouldn't sell any of mine for $450.00, and certainly not a Colt 357.

If you shoot it and like it, congrats, if you shoot it and it's not for you, I bet you can put it towards something you will like and come out $ ahead. But I really like that Colt.

 

[Pudge]

I meant what I said, but didn't need to say it twice.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

IIRC Colt introduced the .357 in 1953, along with the Trooper in 22LR and 38 Special, the Python in 1955. In 1961 they dropped the 22LR and 38 Special, the 357 was renamed the Trooper. Had my 4" since 1972. That Colt frame hold up better shooting 357s, that's why S&W introduced the L frame.

 

[CajunBass]

I like to say I'm a Smith and Wesson guy, with a minor in Colt, and that one is a beauty. As the others have said that's not an original finish or stocks, but who cares? You paid $450.00 for it. You still got a good deal on a great 357. Enjoy it.

 

[ontarget]

The finish is not a Colt factory finish.
Best guess is that it's hard chrome, which while not original, is about the best gun finish there is, it's a true lifetime finish.
Any type of nickel that looks like that is probably an electroless nickel.
If so it will likely have a slight amber tint common to nickel metal.

The grips are Italian made look-alikes, widely sold in the 1970's and early 80's and not factory.

The Colt 357 was intended to be Colt's top of the line holster revolver, and was until the Python was introduced.
The Python was really the 357 with the Python barrel, more tuning of the action, and a Royal Blue finish.
Since it's virtually the same gun as a Python, the 357 is often called "A poor man's Python".

$450 for a fine revolver like the 357 is armed robbery, and you were the one armed.
These typically sell for about twice that most places.

Here's some basic info on the 357.............

The Colt 357 I Frame Revolver - Colt Fever

Colt developed a totally new concept: a .357 magnum revolver built on a medium frame. Visit Colt Fever for details. Learn more.

coltfever.com

Thanks, that link was very informative. I even spent some time reading through the rest of the site too. Lots of info. Thanks again!