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January 17, 2005, 05:21 PM | #1 |
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Colt Trooper Mark III: Opinion's please?
Since some has called the Colt Trooper Mark III, the "Ugly child" of colt, I'd like to get your overall opinions(The Good, Bad, or Ugly?)about these revolvers? Not just in the appearance-but, everything about these guns? Including, how "Desireable" that you think these guns are(To own, to collect, or whatever?)? I know where a NIB Colt Trooper Mark III is-but, I wouldn't want to buy it, if the majority on this forum, would think of these revolvers, as just being a "Dud" to own? Although the final choice is mine(To buy?)but, I want to hear what all of you, might have to say?
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January 17, 2005, 05:29 PM | #2 |
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My father has one and it's the gun I pretty much learned to shoot handguns with. Love it. He did have the action worked on/polished when he first bought it. Never had any issues with it and I find it very comfortable and accurate to shoot.
It gets my vote as a good gun and one I'd own. |
January 17, 2005, 06:26 PM | #3 |
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I have a couple. Great actions. To shoot and shoot and shoot some more they are great. I feel that is why they are superior to Pythons. Their only drawback is the factory only firing pin replacement. Mine are good for just about everything, hunting with 6" barrel and adjustable sights, CCW and BBQ revolver in 4" nickel and both are excellent target revolvers. I find them to be desirable and Colt really should make a few thousand more in stainless. Collectible? Not for another 50 years. Too many still out there.
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January 17, 2005, 07:31 PM | #4 |
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Colt Trooper Mark III
I just purchased my first Colt Trooper Mark III configured with a four inch barrel that is chambered in 22 cal. I enjoy it very much. It feels good in my hand. Right now, I plan to sell my Smith & Wesson Model 17-6 because who needs more than one 22 cal when money is tight. The Colt is a wonderful practice revolver. As far as additional wheel guns go, I own a Model 67 S&W, a Model 686P S&W, a Ruger Security Six, and a Ruger Red Hawk. One of my best friends has a Colt Trooper Mark III chambered in 357 Magnum that he most always takes a field when hunting deer.
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January 17, 2005, 07:47 PM | #5 |
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COlt Trooper MKIII
I have one, bought it about 3 and a half years ago. I like it a lot. Its my first, and only (currently) wheel gun. It is accurate too, though mine has a 4 inch barrel, the six would be even more accurate. My brother in law has a Dan Wesson 6 inch barrel .357, and you can tell the difference in accuracy, his gives tighter groups, that said it is a lot of fun to shoot, and more accurate than I am. I don't have any qualms about owing it. Would I buy another, only if it was a 6 inch version, or was rediculously low priced (I paid 200 bucks for mine, so lower than that.) II thought it was cool to own a Colt wheelgun, so I bought it. called Colt and they told me mine was manufactured in 1976.
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January 17, 2005, 07:48 PM | #6 |
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Considering that the Trooper Mark III was Colt's "Budget" Magnum holster gun, the quality is astounding, especially when compared to today's guns.
The Colt bluing makes modern pistols look really bad, and this was Colt's STANDARD blue, not the Python Royal blue. The Trooper Mark III is a tank, and Master Gunsmith Jerry Kuhnhausen thought it was the strongest mid-frame revolver ever made. The same general action, slightly upgraded was used on the King Cobra and the Anaconda. I've had a number of Trooper Mark III's in .357 and .22LR. They've been uniformly high quality firearms. Like all discontinued Colt's, a new in the box Trooper Mark III WILL be a collectible in coming years, especially as the number of NIB guns falls due to people shooting them. As a shooter, you can do a WHOLE lot worse than a Trooper III, plus you have a better quality, better blued gun than any currently made. |
January 17, 2005, 08:00 PM | #7 |
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I have a Mark III in .357. For the price range, I think its an excellent value. I tend to prefer S&Ws so I use a 586 a lot...but the Colt has a trigger pull of about 2.5 pounds, about a pound less the the 586. In fairness, I shoot the 586 more than my Python, too.
The only negative I've ever heard (not experienced) is that the cylinder rod can begin to back out of the threads so that you can't open the cylinder. Fix is to turn the pin back in which could require a padded plyers. |
January 17, 2005, 08:14 PM | #8 |
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In the store I worked in we couldnt give them away
And I never understood why, yes you could get a 357 in a different make cheeper. Rugers and S&W 19 we could sell by the dozen, but it it wasnt a python then the trooper must be a cheep gun. That seem to be the thought. I too have been amazed at the quality of the trooper and have one my self in a 4 inch.
No its no python, but no one else is ether, but it sure is close. |
January 17, 2005, 10:15 PM | #9 |
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Colt Trooper MKIII
I carried one as my primary weapon on the locay PD for about 5 years. It was an excellent firearm. I got some custon grips that were a little slimmer as my little finger was a bit too short to get the best grip. Very accurate, good balance and comfortable to shoot. Maybe not of collector style yet but a great gun to shoot. Finish better than a S&W model 28 when I owned mine.
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January 17, 2005, 11:00 PM | #10 |
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Colt Trooper MK III
I owned one of these for a while in the mid 70's and it was an excellent gun. Mine was a 6" Colt Trooper Mk III and completely stock. Trigger pull was excellent and accuracy rivaled the Python. The Colt blue was rich and deep and put even the period S&W's to shame. I had only two gripes with it which is why I sold it. First the grip was just a tad too big for my hand, forcing me ot adapt my hold. Second was that the 6" barrel was uncomfortable in a duty holster sitting in a car for an 8 hour shift.
I bought the Trooper for $185.50 and sold it for $200 with holster a year later, using that money to buy a S&W Model 58 for $125 and the rest went to ammo and reloading for the .41 Mag. I got a 4" revolver that rode well in the car and was a Smith & Wesson hand-cannon to boot! But I still miss the Trooper as one of the most accurate revolvers I ever owned.
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January 18, 2005, 01:05 AM | #11 |
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More opinions please?
Please keep pouring in your opinions(As I'm really soaking this all up-and, I'm learning a great deal!)? I'm really appreciating, all of the input here!!! All of this information is proving to be very helpful to me!
Last edited by boa2; January 18, 2005 at 01:07 AM. Reason: Add Info! |
January 18, 2005, 01:13 AM | #12 |
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Boa,
How much is the asking price for that Trooper MK III? If I saw one, 4" or 6", for under $450, I'd probably snag it if it was really NIB or like-NIB.
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January 18, 2005, 02:59 AM | #13 |
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Well, I have a 22lr CTIII.
Took Jack Huntington to tune, and grip, and make it shoot. Quality? I put it in a local shop for sale, and the owner snapped it up, cheap, without telling me it was him buying the gun. Since it wasn't in the case, I took it out, shot it, and decided to keep it. if it doesn't load: http://www.gunpix.com/gallery/Handgu...olvers/CJH.jpg If it doesnt load: http://www.gunpix.com/gallery/Handgu...lvers/CJH2.jpg Jack did the grips, and, prior to his accurization, at 10 yards, with the right ammo, read fast, and using Paco Kellys Accurizer, it shot thumbnail. Much better now, like one hole... s |
January 18, 2005, 03:15 AM | #14 |
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Price of the Colt Mark III(In Question)!
I can purchase the NIB, Colt Mark III, for $450(Out the door!)? Is this worth it(For a seemingly, unpopular, Colt Revolver?)?
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January 18, 2005, 03:20 AM | #15 |
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If that Trooper MKIII is a 22, get it. Colt 22s are becoming rara avis collector items. Have you seen a Diamondback 22 lately? Troopers, the Colt single action 22s, Diamondbacks and 22 Magnum Officer Models would be what I would buy. 22 Colts are getting pricey.
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January 18, 2005, 03:22 AM | #16 |
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cheapest Diamondback, around here, is 800 bucks.
That's why I was REAL happy to find the colt CT 3 for 400. s |
January 18, 2005, 04:05 AM | #17 |
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What Dfariswheel said.
And When the subject of medium frame .357 revolvers comes up I am often forgetting this. |
January 18, 2005, 04:11 AM | #18 |
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The caliber of the Colt Trooper Mark III!
1)The caliber of this Colt Trooper Mark III, is .357!
2)I do know where there is a Colt Frontier Scout "Commemorative" made sometime in the 1970's! It is some kind of a Kansas centennial, that has a sort of a gold plating look to it(In .22 caliber!)for $400! But, I wasn't sure, if this was a good Colt single-action to buy(Or, not?)? 3)I'm still also, trying to decide upon the Colt "357" versus the Colt OMT(.22LR)but also this Colt Mark III? but, the Colt OMT is expensive at $800(Before fees & tax!)and, the Colt "357" is $575(Before fees and tax!) and, the Colt Mark III is $450(Out the door!)? What is the wisest choice here? Last edited by boa2; January 18, 2005 at 04:12 AM. Reason: Mistake! |
January 18, 2005, 06:27 AM | #19 |
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The problem with the KS Cabtennial single action is it needs EVERYTHING to be collectible and complete. If it has everything and is NIB, I would buy it. In my order I would get the Officers Model Target, KS Centennial, 357 and then the Trooper MKIII.
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January 18, 2005, 12:03 PM | #20 |
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1)Colt Frontier Scout(KS Centennial): What does it take for this gun to be complete? It is in a wood presentation case, but, what else, should be with this gun? I kinda overlooked this gun because the price was only $400(Thinking that if this gun was a fairly valuable Colt-then, the price should be higher?)!
2)Colt OMT(.22): At a price of $800(Before fees & tax!)isn't it likely, that it would take a long time(Before any gains could be realized on this gun?)and, that I should not expect any short term gains? 3)Colt "357"(6-incher): I like this gun-but, I have a concern, whether or not this gun will ever be given "Recognition"(In view of the fact that I have seen these Colt 357's "Languishing" on the various Gun Auctions, without being sold!)? 4)Colt Trooper Mark III: I probably won't live long enough, to entertain this gun, until it becomes "Considered" somewhat of a "Collectible"! However, this gun is interesting because it is NIB(And is "Pristine"!)but(Despite this!)if I don't make a "Shooter" out of this gun, it might be a waste of money? But, I do like "Mint" things! 5)Right now, I could only afford to buy only two of the above guns! This makes my decision very tough? This gets me back to square one(And, is the very reason that I had started this thread!)! Decisions? Decisions? Yikes!! |
January 18, 2005, 01:37 PM | #21 |
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Had Trooper Mk III for a short time. Lockwork jammed when it got hot. They can be had like new for $200-$250 in my area. Nothing special at all. If you find one that runs properly $250 would be my MAX and it better be perfect. Box doesn't mean anything to me, just end up smashed, lost etc. I doubt there will be any shortage of LNIB or NIB Troopers anytime this century.
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January 18, 2005, 05:40 PM | #22 |
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IIRC, the KS Frontier Scout should have a cardboard overbox, the wooden presentation case, a plastic bag, end label from the factory and a narration certificate. At $400.00, I don't see how you can go wrong. The OMT 22s are climbing in price. I see nice ones for $800.00 and up for shooters. A 6" 357 is a bit rare but, if it is a shooter, I would think about it IF, you are collecting generations of the Trooper series. It was the beginning of the series. You would IIRC, need a New Service in 357 Magnum, a 357, the entire MK series and the King Cobra for a complete collection. Barrel lengths would be a sub-category. Sights, actions, hammers, triggers, finishes and even a unpolished "walkout" model could be thrown in. There are Baskins-Robbins choices.
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January 18, 2005, 05:49 PM | #23 |
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Have Trooper prices been moving up? Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me they have. Ditto with S&W m28s.
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January 18, 2005, 08:06 PM | #24 |
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Well, Right or wrong, I bought that NIB Colt Trooper MK III?
For what it's worth, I made the decision today, to buy the NIB("Mint")Colt Trooper Mark III! I don't know, if this will prove to be a "Mistake"(Or, not?)? However, my name is now on the dotted line and the Colt Mark III, is now mine! It was just too nice, to let this gun get away!
I lost alot of sleep(Tossin & turning, all night!)trying to decide whether or not, to buy this Colt Mark III(The "So called" ugly duckling of Colt revolvers!)? I had started out to select between an Colt OMT(.22)for $895(Out the door!)or, an Colt 357(6-incher)for $600(Out the door!)or, the Colt Mark III(.357)with a 4-inch barrel(For $450, out the door!)? I thought that I wanted to obtain a more collectible gun, like the Colt OMT(.22)or the Colt 357(6-incher)? Although the OMT, was in very nice condition, I felt that if I had to spend this much money, in the short term, I would be better off to spend this money, for a Colt Python! And, although the Colt "357" has an interesting history(And certainly is a collectible!)this gun(Although nice!)had some "Flaws" that I didn't like! Also, I already own a nicely "Engraved"(4-inch)Colt "357", that is in better condition(LNIB!)than this Colt ".357"(6-incher)! Then, I got to thinking, that there never is any guarantee(Whenever collecting guns!)that alot of money will be made, upon selling them? In fact, maybe I wouldn't live long enough to collect on any of these guns(Especially, if it would take many more years, for them to rise up enough in value, to make it worthwhile?)? So, I took the "Cheap" way out, and bought the Colt Trooper Mark III! Mostly, because it was so "Pristine" and, getting guns in "Perfect" condition, is always important to me! But(Of course!)the ideal situation, would have been to have obtained a really good collectible revolver, in "perfect" condition, and, at a definate "Bargain"! But, this does not always happen to be the case! I also concluded, that in view of the excessively high gun prices here in CA(The PRK!)dabbling in the expensive(Highly collectible guns!)and, high fees(Plus taxes!)would only make it that much harder to ever realize any gain, on any guns like these? I also took into account what everybody had already said(Which was very helpful to me! However, I thought long and hard, about what "Dfariswheel" had reported about the Colt Mark III's-and, since he is highly respected on this forum, and, because he is highly qualified, regarding Colt's, I felt that this stood heavily in favor of the Colt Mark III, being a better revolver, than these guns have been given credit for, in the past! So, this, along with all of the other Colt Mark III(Owner's positive reports!)this made me decide to buy the Colt Mark III! I hope I did good, in making my choice(All things being considered!)? Now that I plunked down my money on this "Ugly" Colt child(So to speak!)I'd like to hear any new comments from the forum members(Pro or Con?)? Thanks! |
January 18, 2005, 08:16 PM | #25 |
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You are happy. In the end, that is all that matters. Congratulations on your purchase.
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