What is the difference between a Colt Trooper and the Trooper Mk-III,,,

[aarondhgraham]

What is the difference between a Colt Trooper and the Colt Trooper MK-III,,,
I own a 4" MK-III in .357 and consider it to be a fine revolver,,,
I have fired it side-by-side with a 4" Python,,,
I can't tell a difference in the triggers.

If my MK-III ever needs repair,,,
Is it easier to get fixed than a python?

Aarond

.

 

[savit260]

The Trooper and the Trooper Mk III are totally different guns, although about the same size.

The Mk III action will be easier to get repaired if ever needed. The Mk III action is pretty robust.

 

[DPris]

Different frames, different internals.

The older Troopers used the same V-Spring actions as the Python, with forged & hand-fitted parts, and a total cylinder lockup with the trigger pulled fully to the rear.

The MKIIIs used a re-designed action with more of a drop-in parts design, and sintered metal (a form of casting) parts, with a stamped hand, and a coil mainspring. S&W-type lockup, leaving some cylinder movement regardless of trigger position.

The MKIII was designed to be cheaper to manufacture & simpler to repair.

Parts & service for the older Troopers are drying up.
Same with the MKIII, but at least the MKIII is more recent, easier for gunsmiths who were not trained on the older guns to work on (IF they can get parts), and Colt MAY have more parts still in stock for in-house repairs than for the older guns.
Denis

 

[tipoc]

Look here for a partial explanation and visuals...

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=730961

The thread is further down the page of this forum and is by Duelist1954. It's called "Shooting the Colt Trooper 357".


tipoc

 

[savit260]

The Trooper in that video is the old style action. The Trooper MK III is a different gun .

 

[Walkalong]

There are more gunsmiths around who can work on the MkIII than the Python. It's newer and simpler.

The Mk III is a pretty simple design.

 

[tipoc]

The Trooper in that video is the old style action. The Trooper MK III is a different gun

Yes, as the video explains.

tipoc

 

[PabloJ]

The Mk III chambered for the .22WRM I looked over today hand horrendously heavy double action trigger pull.
Looking at pic of "guts" shown I would much rather own K or L framed Smith & Wesson. Too many "wire springs" for my taste.

 

[Steve C]

The old model Troopers have the same mechanical parts as a Colt Python with flat springs and hammer block safety with tapered plain barrel and no extraction rod barrel lug cover. The MKIII's have an action operated with coil springs and transfer bar safety with heavy lugged barrel. The picture below shows the top 2 old model Troopers and the bottom is a Trooper MKIII.

Both guns are out of production so repair is dependent upon finding a competent gun smith.

 

[aarondhgraham]

Thanks gentlemen,,,

I've heard that the Trooper has been called,,,
The Poor Man's Python.

I suppose it's kind of like the S&W model 27 versus the Model 28,,,
The Model 27 was a polished work of the gun-makers art,,,
The Model 28 was the same gun just not as finished.

I wasn't aware that the MK-III had completely different workings.

I own a "rugged" 4" MK-III in .357 magnum,,,
And a pristine 6" MK-III in .22 LR.



Both are just a wee bit fat for my K-Frame hands,,,
But I got them for an extremely good price,,,
Even though I don't shoot them much,,,
I do like having them in my collection.

In my will I have them reserved for a friend of mine,,,
They will go to him along with two rifles,,,
H&R Handi-Rifle in .357 Magnum,,,
H&R Sportster in .22 LR.



Every so often I get an E-mail from him,,,
Asking me how I'm feeling.

I just answer back and say,,,
"I'm not extinct yet."

Aarond

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[pendennis]

Here's a pair, made four years apart, nickel 4-inchers. Both are outstanding shooters.

 

[Queen_of_Thunder]

And then there was the Lawman III

 

[ColtPythonElite]

And then there was the Lawman III

Just a fixed sight MK III

 

[tipoc]

there is a worthwhile discussion of the same here...

Drop to post #8 for a useful summary.

http://www.coltforum.com/forums/colt-revolvers/10571-357-vs-trooper.html

This may also help some, schematics...

Python/Trooper

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufacturers/Colt-33188/Revolvers-35751/IFrame-38003/Trooper-36589.htm

Trooper Mark III

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufac...ers-35751/JFrame-38004/TrooperMKIII-36659.htm

tipoc

 

[aarondhgraham]

Thanks for the info gentlemen,,,

Now I know what I own,,,

Usually I research any candidate for purchase before I buy the gun,,,
But in the case of the .357 I was offered such a great deal,,,
I just ponied up the $125.00 and ran with the gun.

All I knew about it at that point was,,,
I had heard the term "Poor Man's Python" used,,,
Now I know it was meant for the original Trooper and not the MK-III.

Later on, I bought the .22 through a gunbroker auction,,,
I love having matching guns in centerfire/rimfire pairs.

Thanks again,,,

Aarond

.

 

[Walkalong]

I just ponied up the $125.00 and ran with the gun.

Well, that was a no brainer.

 

[Dframe]

For $125 you got the deal of the century. The MK III action was used in several models and finishes. It's brute strong and should last almost forever. The have a reputation for accuracy and sturdiness. For their triggers? Not so much. The only proviso is to use snap caps if you dryfire the gun, since it's firing pin can be damaged, and thats a "factory only" repair.

 

[Cosmoline]

The Mk III is a pretty simple design.

In contrast here is the older lockwork:



But you never want to crack the sideplate on those Colts. Because the little men inside will get cold.