Shooting Colt's Trooper .357

[duelist1954]

I like Colt revolvers, single actions and double actions. In this video I'll be shooting what I consider to be one of the last classic double action revolvers that Colt introduced...the Trooper .357 magnum. This is not to be confused with the Trooper MK III, which has a completely different action, and frame.

The classic Trooper .357 had the same action as the more expensive Colt Python, but without the lugged barrel and high cost Royal Blue finish. The Trooper .357 was made to be a working sixgun for police and outdoorsmen, an area where it still excels.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlQiYiHjeh0

 

[DPris]

You've ALMOST convinced me to shoot my un-shot '66 four-incher.
Denis

 

[duelist1954]

Denis, You've got to do it...life is short.

 

[pendennis]

I own a nickel, 4" made in 1966, and it's one of my favorite shooters.

 

[243winxb]

That video is going to give me nightmares. Short story- Barrel cracked from heat. Colt put on new defective barrel. Damaged frame and sight. Nice trigger went to 8 lbs. Free 2nd new barrel, cold blued frame damage, left dings, and heavy trigger. Gun smith lightened trigger. Hammer/sear are surfaced hardened, cant file them. Sold cheap to just get it out of my sight. Buy new S&W.

 

[22-rimfire]

I have a couple of the 22LR versions, have not shot them. None are NIB, so shooting them won't hurt 'em.

I do shoot my Trooper Mark III in 357 mag. It's my fav.

 

[DPris]

Mike,
You're right, getting shorter every day.
Just got in a few pounds of gas-checked 180-grain lead, need to start working it into a good load.
And not just for the Colt.
Denis

 

[Jaymo]

Sure, Mike. First the Python video, now this.
Keep making me jealous, why dontcha?
You know I like your videos. Keep 'em coming.

 

[Paul7]

Great video, I've got a 1965 Trooper whose action is as good as if not better than my Python. There are other differences besides finish, the Python has that little hand that holds the cylinder completely still at firing, the Trooper does not.

 

[DPris]

The Python & Trooper (THAT Trooper) have the same internal action, same hand.
Denis

 

[Leadbutt]

Those are a fabulous piece of shooting steel, I still have my six inch model that I carried for a few years on the street, wish I still had the Bern's&Martin holster for it

 

[Paul7]

The Python & Trooper (THAT Trooper) have the same internal action, same hand.
Denis

I don't think that is true, when I press the trigger back on my Trooper, there is slight cylinder movement (like a S&W), unlike my Python. It doesn't mean there is anything wrong with the Trooper and S&W, they are just made differently.

 

[DPris]

Paul,
It most certainly is true.
The Python & Trooper .357 use identical guts, and parts (aside from being hand-fitted) are interchangeable.
All Colt DA revolvers use a hand to advance the cylinder.
Not all models use the same hand, but the Python & Trooper .357 do.

In your case, if you have cylinder movement WITH THE HAMMER FULLY FORWARD/DOWN & THE TRIGGER PULLED FULLY TO THE REAR AS FAR AS IT'LL GO, it DOES mean there's something wrong with your Trooper .357.
Denis

 

[Paul7]

Paul,
It most certainly is true.
The Python & Trooper .357 use identical guts, and parts (aside from being hand-fitted) are interchangeable.
All Colt DA revolvers use a hand to advance the cylinder.
Not all models use the same hand, but the Python & Trooper .357 do.

In your case, if you have cylinder movement WITH THE HAMMER FULLY FORWARD/DOWN & THE TRIGGER PULLED FULLY TO THE REAR AS FAR AS IT'LL GO, it DOES mean there's something wrong with your Trooper .357.
Denis

I stand corrected, it is the Trooper MK III and later and King Cobra that are different in that way I believe. BTW, I rechecked my 1965 Trooper and when the trigger is pulled back there is no cylinder movement, there is slight movement when at rest.

 

[jrdolall]

I have a Trooper .357 that was inherited from a family member. I heard he was with the State police in Mississippi in the 60s and that's where he got the gun.

It is a phenomenal shooter and, like all 357s I have shot, very LOUD. Mine has some holster wear but is in very good condition.

 

[DPris]

Paul,
The MKIIIs & later had totally different internals. Still had hands, but the lockup was different.

On the old V-Spring actions of the Trooper .357 the test is as I described. Trigger at rest indicates nothing.
Denis

 

[highpower]

I have both a Python and a Trooper. While the Python is certainly better finished, the Trooper seems to shoot better. I was fortunate enough to be able to find this 1968 vintage Trooper at a LGS the day it came in on consignment from the original owner

 

[Lucky Derby]

Love my 4" Trooper.

 

[M1GarandDeerHunter]

Highpower, I nearly died when I saw your pictures with the post. What a time capsule!