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Old July 18, 2022, 10:35 AM   #1
oregon loader
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Colt Trooper MK3 Single Action Too Sensative

I have a 357 Magnum Colt Trooper MK3. Manufacture date is 1978. It has a target trigger and hammer. Using the gun double action, I'm guessing the trigger pull is around 4 pounds +/- (I haven't put a scale on it). Using the gun single action, after cocking the hammer back, A stiff breeze on the trigger sets it off (yes, that's an exaggeration). Honestly though, the slightest touch to the trigger sets it off, and if you push "very" lightly on the hammer after cocking the gun, it goes off.
Is anyone familiar with this gun? Is this normal?
I removed the side plate, and can't see any evidence of a broken trigger or hammer.
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Old July 18, 2022, 11:02 AM   #2
44caliberkid
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Most definitely not normal. Get it to a gunsmith.
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Old July 18, 2022, 11:26 AM   #3
44 AMP
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welcome to TFL

A gun with an extremely light trigger pull CAN be mechanically safe. A gun where the hammer can be pushed off full cock and fires IS NOT MECHANICALLY SAFE!!

Get the gun to a gunsmith and get it REPAIRED!!. it IS broken. Its not broken to the point of non-function, it is broken /Worn to the point of no longer being safe.

The sad thing is that most likely, the condition is a result of some previous owner "improving" the trigger pull, and doing it wrong.
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Old July 18, 2022, 02:14 PM   #4
Sgt127
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If it truly has a 4 pound DA trigger, I’d be surprised if it fires reliably.

Somebody did a lot of stoning, filing and Dremeling inside is my bet and cut, bent springs.

The condition you describe is called “push off”.

Likely to need a new hammer, trigger or both.
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Old July 18, 2022, 06:47 PM   #5
Dfariswheel
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The later Colt's beginning with the Mark III series were the worlds first "machine fitted" revolvers.
The parts were made of molded "sintered" steel, an earlier version of today's MIM.
These Colt's were built by selecting parts from a bin and test fitting them in the gun. Since the parts were made to a very close standard, they usually dropped right in.
The reason for this new method of manufacturing was to eliminate the hand fitting and adjusting needed to build the older Colt's, and it was that hand fitting that priced the old Colt's out of the market.

The Mark III parts were molded, then surface hardened.
This surface hardening is very thin and any polishing or attempts to stone the action parts will break the rough the hard surface and expose soft inner metal.

Many gun owners and not a few gunsmiths don't know this and attempted to "improve" the trigger action, destroying the parts.
Result is as the poster has...... unsafe triggers and hammer push off.

Once the surface hardening is broken through the soft metal will wear fast, which results in light trigger pull or hammers that will push off.
The old Colt's could often be refitted and adjusted to correct problems, but the later models like the Mark II can't be altered or adjusted, the only repair is to install new parts.
Many people don't know this, and assume these Colt's can be worked over like the old Colt's.

So, a gunsmith who understands this can't and won't stone or alter parts to correct light triggers or push off.....that will only be a temporary fix that will quickly fail.
The only way to repair a tampered with Mark III or later Colt is to buy new parts.
Fortunately, Jack First Gun Parts is making new, solid steel hammers and triggers........

https://jackfirstinc.com/index.php?r...ath=357_408_17

If a local gunsmith offers to refit a Mark III, he's not competent to work on them because he doesn't understand the limitations caused by the molded, surface hardened parts.

Bottom line, the only repair is to replace the hammer and-or the trigger.
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Old July 19, 2022, 06:48 PM   #6
reynolds357
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dfariswheel View Post
The later Colt's beginning with the Mark III series were the worlds first "machine fitted" revolvers.
The parts were made of molded "sintered" steel, an earlier version of today's MIM.
These Colt's were built by selecting parts from a bin and test fitting them in the gun. Since the parts were made to a very close standard, they usually dropped right in.
The reason for this new method of manufacturing was to eliminate the hand fitting and adjusting needed to build the older Colt's, and it was that hand fitting that priced the old Colt's out of the market.

The Mark III parts were molded, then surface hardened.
This surface hardening is very thin and any polishing or attempts to stone the action parts will break the rough the hard surface and expose soft inner metal.

Many gun owners and not a few gunsmiths don't know this and attempted to "improve" the trigger action, destroying the parts.
Result is as the poster has...... unsafe triggers and hammer push off.

Once the surface hardening is broken through the soft metal will wear fast, which results in light trigger pull or hammers that will push off.
The old Colt's could often be refitted and adjusted to correct problems, but the later models like the Mark II can't be altered or adjusted, the only repair is to install new parts.
Many people don't know this, and assume these Colt's can be worked over like the old Colt's.

So, a gunsmith who understands this can't and won't stone or alter parts to correct light triggers or push off.....that will only be a temporary fix that will quickly fail.
The only way to repair a tampered with Mark III or later Colt is to buy new parts.
Fortunately, Jack First Gun Parts is making new, solid steel hammers and triggers........

https://jackfirstinc.com/index.php?r...ath=357_408_17

If a local gunsmith offers to refit a Mark III, he's not competent to work on them because he doesn't understand the limitations caused by the molded, surface hardened parts.

Bottom line, the only repair is to replace the hammer and-or the trigger.
You can stone them, polish them, then nitride treat them. Probably more trouble than worth.
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Old July 19, 2022, 07:26 PM   #7
Jim Watson
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Heffronprecision.com talks a good game, has parts.
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Old July 21, 2022, 05:30 PM   #8
Dfariswheel
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Join Date: May 4, 2001
Posts: 7,478
Also the Colt revolver go-to Master pistolsmith Frank Glenn......

http://glenncustom.com/
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