Python vs Trooper Mk III

[Shrevy]

I have admired the Colt Python, but have never shot one. I do have a Trooper Mk III that I enjoy a lot. What is the difference between the two guns? Is the Python twice as good as the Trooper (the price is certainly 2X)? I've heard that the hand fitting and overall fit and finish is of higher quality with the Python. The trigger is supposed to be better too. Anything I am missing? Tell why I should buy one!

Thanks.

 

[batmann]

I'm not going to tell you to buy one, but they are super nice. The action on a Python is older and more refined than is on your Trooper. The Python use a leaf spring and the Trooper uses, I think, a coil spring.
FYI, the Trooper and the Anaconda are of the same family tree.

 

[9mmepiphany]

the Trooper was built to a price point to compete for LE contracts, whereas the Python was built to be the flagship of the Colt line.

the finish on the Python is on a whole different level from the Trooper. there is more hand fitting that goes into te Pythons leaf spring action and it is reknown for it's accuracy

you're the only one who can decide if the Python is twice as "good as the Trooper Mk III.

i will say that i would rather have a well used Python before a new Trooper.

 

[22-rimfire]

I agree that you are the only one that can decide if a Python is worth 2-times the price of a Trooper Mark III.

I've owned Colt Pythons. They are great revolvers. Don't own one now. Why? I bought a Colt Trooper Mark III in 357 mag and shoot it better. So the Pythons eventually got sold off. This is way out of character for me and I collect Colts.... so why sell a Python? Because I'm a 22 guy. I turned the last Python into two Colt 22 revolvers. Everything is not just about money.

 

[dfariswheel]

The Colt Python uses the original type of Colt action invented back in the 1890's.
It was basically a hand fitted, hand tuned, hand polished semi-custom revolver.

The Trooper Mark III was the first new Colt action design and is a totally different action.
It was a more or less "machine fitted" design that didn't need much hand assembly work.
It was about a step above its competition in quality.
It an extremely strong gun.

Bottom line, the Python was a Ferrari, the Mark III was a good Mercedes.

 

[zt77]

trigger-wise, the python is smoooooooooth. I don't know if it has a leaf spring or not. The trooper mk III uses a coil, that stacks, like a ruger security six or a taurus.

pythons have outstanding quality.

they are hand fit pieces that require a lot of maintenance and have relatively short round counts before breakages, in my opinion at least...compared to it's competition.

I've heard the older troopers have the same internals as the python, just different finishes.

My trooper is a fine gun, I don't like the double action trigger though.
My dad sold his python. He got it ten or so years ago from a neighbor, NIB....timing went out....it was a nice profit and not a huge loss to him.

 

[Walkalong]

I have them both. One Python and 4 Trooper Mk III's. I really like the Mk III. No, the Python is not twice as good, IMHO, but it is very, very nice. The single action on the trigger on a Mk III can be made very nice by a smith. Stock they are nice enough. Double action they are OK, but a bit stout. The Python really has the advantage there.

 

[Seabee CO]

Don't know if this is a good reason or how vain you might be...people stop at the range to look at someone's Python, Troopers rarely get a glance. Then again, a Diamondback is a whole different story...

 

[Shrevy]

Thanks for the help so far. I was being a bit facetious about it being twice as good as the Trooper. I was just trying to highlight the price difference.

I had not heard the part about increased maintenance for a Python. Is this common? What extra maintenance is required?

I'm not vain enough to buy a revolver because it will get looks at the range...my Garand gets plenty when I take it

 

[Confederate]

Every revolver is different and we can only speak in generalities, but the Python is going to give you a smoother action and most likely better accuracy.

Both revolvers are big and durable. The Python has a poor grip configuration and a small pawl, or hand, that wears quickly and throws the gun out of time more often than other magnums. The Trooper III is probably more durable, but was known for having sloppy tolerances. The Trooper Mark Vs were said to have been an enormous step up and that's the one I'd try to find. The grips and tolerances were greatly improved.

If I found a Python with a great bluing job (where the body and latch matched), I'd probably get it and just keep it in the safe. You can have the pawl hard chromed to increase its wear if you want to shoot it.

The Trooper III was not known for its great accuracy and generally lagged behind the Smiths and Rugers. You can check your individual gun by dropping a 125gr bullet into each of the chambers. If they drop through without stopping or sticking, the throats are oversized (this can happen with any .38/.357, though). My Rugers and Smith 686 all catch, but I saw a number of Trooper IIIs where the bullets just sailed on through.

I would love to have the Mark V in nickel. Can't afford the Python, but might trade for one. The bluing was astounding.

 

[DickM]

I've heard the older troopers have the same internals as the python, just different finishes.

Yes, but not the older Trooper Mark IIIs. In the mid-1950s, Colt introduced the original Trooper (in .38 Special) and its upscale version, the 357 (in .357 Mag, 'natch), both based on their Officers Model Match revolver. Very shortly after that they came out with the ultra-upscale Python. All shared the same basic design and hand-fitted lockwork. The original .38 Special Trooper was discontinued shortly thereafter and the 357 was renamed the Trooper.

"Original" Troopers were produced until 1969 - they are very sweet guns, essentially the functional equivalent of a Python without the fancy bells and whistles. The Trooper Mark III is a completely different thing, though still a very nicely made firearm (I have a couple of them, along with a Python and a 357, and they're both accurate and fun to shoot), and shares only the name.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Lockwork is what distinguishes the Python from the Trooper III. The first Troopers' lockwork is identical to the Python. However, the care in finishing was not as attentive and the barrel of course was different. As mentioned above, the Trooper III departed from the original Troopers by introducing a simplified lockwork that functioned much like the modern S&W does. It was less labor intensive to get it to work right than the Python.

 

[Landpimp]

I LOVE my 1965 Trooper, outside its rather rough, but man that action is so sweet and this is from a died in the wool S&W guy

also have a latter Trooper MkIII, nice gun but the action is just so so

when you cant decided.....just get a Smolt


""Original" Troopers were produced until 1969 - they are very sweet guns, essentially the functional equivalent of a Python without the fancy bells and whistles. The Trooper Mark III is a completely different thing, though still a very nicely made firearm (I have a couple of them, along with a Python and a 357, and they're both accurate and fun to shoot), and shares only the name. "

 

[Walkalong]

The Trooper Mark Vs were said to have been an enormous step up and that's the one I'd try to find. The grips and tolerances were greatly improved.

I bought a Mk III & a Mk V to see which one I liked. I traded the Mk V for a 25-5 and have never regretted it. I don't think the double action, which was supposedly improved on the Mk V, is any better than the Mk III. I like the grip on the Mk III and the Python better than the Mk V, but maybe I am not the norm.

 

[GUNKWAZY]

The heck with the Frankengun Smolt.
If you're confused and not sure, just get yourself a Python MKIII.




Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

 

[4v50 Gary]

Landpimp - I remember the Smolt. That came out of the Davis Gun Company in Emeryville and Sacramento.

 

[Confederate]

I bought a Mk III & a Mk V to see which one I liked. I traded the Mk V for a 25-5 and have never regretted it...I like the grip on the Mk III and the Python better than the Mk V, but maybe I am not the norm.

Can't argue with you on that -- everyone has their own preferences. The grips on the Python/Trooper III are wide at the bottom, where the hand is smaller, and smaller at the top, where the hand is larger. The Mark V addresses this and is generally regarded to be better designed. The tolerances also were tightened on the Mark Vs, resulting in a generally more accurate revolver. The key word here is "generally," and no two revolvers will be the same.

 

[armsmaster270]

Davis & Co. was actually in The City of West Sacramento. I bought 4 - 586 Sacto P.D. Commemoratives there and got the Davis Combat Tune on two of them. I remember their Smolts. Bill Davis was quite a shooter and gunsmith. I had a Trooper MKIII s/n J2880 wish I had never sold it it had a sweet action

 

[Walkalong]

My so so accurate Mk III.

Not bad for old eyes and a less than steady hand these days.

I know, a world class shooter would have em all in one wallowed out hole at 7 yards (and I can do that on occasion), but hey, I'm just an old shooter who likes to plink.

 

[22-rimfire]

If you shoot a Python a lot, you eventually will have to have the timing adjusted. What's "a lot"? That will vary with the revolver, but I feel the average shooter could shoot a Python for many years and never have a timing issue.

I like the Trooper Mark III. I didn't when they were available retail. I liked the Python and Diamondback better, so that is what I bought. BUT, Pythons cost so much that shooting a Trooper Mark III makes sense for me. My trigger is very smooth on my one and only 357 Trooper Mark III. I have no need for another 357, but that has not stopped me from buying a Smith Model 19 and Ruger GP100. I shoot the Trooper the most and the Smith the least.