Old Colt stacking trigger pulls

[elktrout]

For many years, I did not understand the "stacking" in the trigger pulls of the old Colt D.A. revolvers. In 1973, as a new LEO, I purchased a Colt Trooper .357 revolver with 6 inch barrel which had the old O.P. type action with stacking trigger pull. Being young and dumb, I thought the stacking was an indication of poor workmanship and eventually sold the gun. What an idiot I was. How I wish I had that gun today, especially after I learned (several years later from a State Police firearms instructor) why the action was built that way.

Now, I have a keen interest in obtaining a Colt DA revolver with one of those old O.P. type actions. However, I have seen many posts by shooters who criticize them as somewhat fragile - quickly going out of time, not properly cycling the cylinder, etc.

I am and old dude with a special affection for a Colt with that cylinder that revolves clockwise, not counter clockwise. If I find a Python or Diamondback or Official Police and shoot only standard 38s out of it (less than 1000 rounds per year), do I really have to worry that it will have mechanical problems in just a few thousand rounds?

Thanks for your replies. Good shooting.

 

[Rock185]

I don't know, it may be a crap shoot. Back in the '70s I bought a pre MKIII Trooper with the older V-Spring type action. Gun appeared to be in excellent condition, but it soon went out of time. Back then parts were available, so I was able to repair it. Within the last couple years I bought similar Colt 3 5 7 model, with the same type action. This one remains in time.

Some report mega thousands of rounds fired in these older Colts with no issues. I enjoy my old gun, but I would not trust it over a few thousand rounds to stay in time as much as I would, say a S&W or Ruger revolver....ymmv

 

[PzGren]

I had bought a Python that was pre-owned but looked unfired in 1985 and shot about 15,000 rounds through it. I had also let a good friend borrow it for a few years and he used it in UIT competitions. The gun still works but if you are so concerned with the gun getting out of time, treat yourself to a Korth. It looks much like a Python but is a real solid workhorse. Post 1969 Korths also have a small bearing that can be changed to have different stacking in D/A.

I gave the Colt to my youngest son when he graduated DPD academy and continue enjoying my Korths. I have no Colt left and keep the S&W revolvers mostly out of sentimental reasons.

 

[Outpost75]

The late Bob Collins of Alexandria, VA could set up an S&W N-frame PPC gun to stack like a Colt. Mine had a 1 in 10 inch twist 9mm barrel and 6 degree included angle forcing cone and was the most accurate wadcutter gun I ever had, being capable of firing 146 DEWCs with full charge loads of 3.5 grains of Bullseye, producing 880 fps from a 6-inch barrel and fine grouping which remained proportional to distance at 3 MOA to beyond 100 yards.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

For many years, I did not understand the "stacking" in the trigger pulls of the old Colt D.A. revolvers. In 1973, as a new LEO, I purchased a Colt Trooper .357 revolver with 6 inch barrel which had the old O.P. type action with stacking trigger pull. Being young and dumb, I thought the stacking was an indication of poor workmanship and eventually sold the gun. What an idiot I was. How I wish I had that gun today, especially after I learned (several years later from a State Police firearms instructor) why the action was built that way.

Now, I have a keen interest in obtaining a Colt DA revolver with one of those old O.P. type actions. However, I have seen many posts by shooters who criticize them as somewhat fragile - quickly going out of time, not properly cycling the cylinder, etc.

I am and old dude with a special affection for a Colt with that cylinder that revolves clockwise, not counter clockwise. If I find a Python or Diamondback or Official Police and shoot only standard 38s out of it (less than 1000 rounds per year), do I really have to worry that it will have mechanical problems in just a few thousand rounds?

Thanks for your replies. Good shooting.

I have had and still have a fairly large collection of D-, I- and J-frame .38Spl and .38NP Colts. Not one has ever gone out of time. I feed them handloads which mimic the older .38/44 and .38 Super Police loads for hunting, tame WC loads for targets, and basic 158gr. RN or SWC loads for everything else. The "bank vault" action is strong enough for a steady diet of SAAMI-spec' .38Spls and then some. Have it checked out first to make sure some home hobbyist didn't do some "action work" to try and make their Colt feel more like a Smith. I've seen a lot of really bad and just plain stupid things done to good revolvers by home "gunsmiths" in my time.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I had bought a Python that was pre-owned but looked unfired in 1985 and shot about 15,000 rounds through it. I had also let a good friend borrow it for a few years and he used it in UIT competitions. The gun still works but if you are so concerned with the gun getting out of time, treat yourself to a Korth. It looks much like a Python but is a real solid workhorse. Post 1969 Korths also have a small bearing that can be changed to have different stacking in D/A.

I gave the Colt to my youngest son when he graduated DPD academy and continue enjoying my Korths. I have no Colt left and keep the S&W revolvers mostly out of sentimental reasons.

View attachment 992670

What's the price differential between an Official Police and a Korth?

 

[PzGren]

What's the price differential between an Official Police and a Korth?

The price difference can be found easily on the internet and depends on the model, vintage, version and calibre. While the price difference is substantial, so is the difference in quality.