Colt Trooper .357 Go get it or leave it be?

Kaya8568 · January 17, 2010, 10:25 PM

Several years ago I had a Colt Trooper and was really pleased with the gun. It was well made and just felt good in my hand. I got rid of it and the guy still has it. Thinking about buying it back.

Not seen much on here about the Colt .357's What's your opinion on the Trooper?

Go get it or leave it be?

gyvel · January 17, 2010, 10:28 PM

Hah. THAT'S a no brainer; If the guy hasn't butchered or otherwise abused it, go get it back. (I assume we're talking about an original Trooper? If not, disregard.

Huskerguy · January 17, 2010, 10:37 PM

I have one and got it out a few weeks ago, almost forgot how nice it shoots and handles. Get it back, you won't regret it.

Kaya8568 · January 17, 2010, 10:41 PM

Oh yes, it is an original in excellent shape. What's their worth these days. The last Gun Value Book I've got is from the 1980's. Definately time to invest in a new one.

22-rimfire · January 17, 2010, 10:59 PM

Both the 357 Magnum (Trooper) and the Trooper Mark III are very good revolvers. The Mark III is my preferred shooter. Guess it all depends on the price.

You may experience some sticker shock when you buy the current or the new Blue Book in April (2010 edition) as compared to the cost in the 80's.

skeeter · January 18, 2010, 03:32 AM

I carried a Trooper MKIII for many years and hand loaded it and fired thousands of factory rounds through it and it is both tough and accurate. It is a great gun. After much use it is as smooth as any Python.

aarondhgraham · January 18, 2010, 03:08 PM

It's my personal fav of all of my handguns,,,

This is the one pistol I would keep if I had to sell the rest,,,
Fits my hand like a glove and I hit with it,,,
Too fine to ever part with.

Aarond

jglsprings · January 18, 2010, 03:50 PM

I wouldn't do it.

Can I have you buddy's name, please?

GO GET IT

boa2 · January 18, 2010, 04:19 PM

I'll say to go get it-run, don't walk! Maybe this photo of my NIB 4" Trooper MK III .357, will help you to make up your mind!:

WVfishguy · January 18, 2010, 05:40 PM

I've got S&W N-frames, but I think my Trooper MkIII might be the strongest .357 I own. Way overbuilt for a .357, you could easily use it as a bludgeon for defense, much more so than any Smith I have. I need to get photos of it. It's also accurate as hell.

The old Colts are getting really expensive - I saw a Trooper MkIII like Boa's, but not is as good shape, selling for $750; I also saw an older Colt Trooper for $999.

longranger · January 18, 2010, 05:49 PM

I just bought one and they have been explained to me as a "poor mans Python"."a most underated revolver".

DiscoRacing · January 18, 2010, 05:51 PM

I have one

boa2 · January 18, 2010, 07:30 PM

Yes, the Trooper MK III's are very strong revolvers. Most folks know how strong an Smith and Wesson L-frame revolver is-and, an Ruger GP100 is even stronger. But, the Trooper MK III has been reported to be even stronger than both the L-frame and the GP100!

tailgunner6 · January 18, 2010, 07:53 PM

Here's my Trooper .357. I found this example with box and papers, a real keeper:

Tom2 · January 18, 2010, 07:55 PM

Jeez, was it not that many years ago when a Python was a 750 gun?

boa2 · January 18, 2010, 08:01 PM

tailgunner6:

Hey, that is a beautiful Colt Trooper .357 you have there! I',ve been on the prowl for a long time looking for one in as nice of condition as yours! Was your ".357" NIB whenever you had purchased it? Well, it does look NIB to me right now?

tailgunner6 · January 18, 2010, 08:16 PM

Thanks boa2. Yeah, it was NIB when I bought it (or at least it bore no evidence it was fired other than at the factory that I could see) and it's still unfired. I was lucky to have found it because so many folks are unfamiliar with these first gen. E or I frame (I can never remember which) Troopers - most are familiar with the Mk. III version. I got it for $650 about 3 years ago. I got it to round out my I/E frame collection (not including Pythons, that's separate):

OMM .38 Spl, Trooper .357 and Three-Fifty-Seven.

Kaya8568 · January 18, 2010, 08:42 PM

You need to post a bib along side of those pictures so I don't drool over over them. Beautiful Stuff!!!

boa2 · January 19, 2010, 04:40 PM

tailgunner6:

1)Thank you for posting the picture of your three beautiful Colt's-I'm impressed!

2)I'm curious about your Colt Model Three-Fifty-Seven? Has this gun been fired-or, fired much at all?

3)Although, I don't yet have a 6" Model Three-Fifty-Seven, I do have a new(Unfired)4" Three-Fifty-Seven, that I got from the original owner-and he had this gun lightly engraved, with a simple-yet, a nice design pattern. Mine is a 1960 vintage.

tailgunner6 · January 19, 2010, 08:39 PM

Quote:

tailgunner6:

1)Thank you for posting the picture of your three beautiful Colt's-I'm impressed!

Thanks!!

Quote:

2)I'm curious about your Colt Model Three-Fifty-Seven? Has this gun been fired-or, fired much at all?

The Three-Fifty-Seven may have been fired just a handful of times. It has hardly a trace of a turn line but the bluing is just about perfect. There's not a blemish on it. I've not fired it. I saw it on GA just after it was listed and bought it right away, $600 IIRC a year or so before I bought the Trooper. Like the Trooper, it also came with its original box and test target.

Quote:

3)Although, I don't yet have a 6" Model Three-Fifty-Seven, I do have a new (Unfired) 4" Three-Fifty-Seven, that I got from the original owner-and he had this gun lightly engraved, with a simple-yet, a nice design pattern. Mine is a 1960 vintage.

I called Colt about mine a while ago and IIRC they quoted mine's a '61 or '62 (towards the end of their production run). These guns seemed to have come around in the last few years, folks are grabbing them as soon as they turn up. They're nice because they use the same lockwork as the Python. My preference is for 6" bbl, I like those proportions, but it seems that 4" guns tend to be more popular.

texgunner · January 19, 2010, 09:11 PM

Go and get it. You'll have no regrets. The Colt Trooper is a fine revolver.

biggun_ · January 20, 2010, 11:21 AM

Buy it back NOW!! Here's mine:

jasnake65 · January 20, 2010, 08:32 PM

I would get it, I been looking for a 4" Colt 357, have a 6" d love it

skinnycat · February 28, 2010, 10:09 AM

How about an engraved Colt Trooper MKIII? Any info on one of those?

Rampant_Colt · February 28, 2010, 10:24 AM

My 1977 Trooper Mk3:

Now if only i could get the guy who bought my 6" Trooper Mk5 to sell it back to me. M-C, if you're reading this, I'M DEAD SERIOUS ABOUT GETTING IT BACK...

January 17, 2010, 10:25 PM	#1
Kaya8568 Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Posts: 19	Colt Trooper .357 Go get it or leave it be? Several years ago I had a Colt Trooper and was really pleased with the gun. It was well made and just felt good in my hand. I got rid of it and the guy still has it. Thinking about buying it back. Not seen much on here about the Colt .357's What's your opinion on the Trooper? Go get it or leave it be?

January 17, 2010, 10:37 PM	#3
Huskerguy Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 348	get it back I have one and got it out a few weeks ago, almost forgot how nice it shoots and handles. Get it back, you won't regret it. Last edited by Huskerguy; January 17, 2010 at 11:03 PM.

January 18, 2010, 03:08 PM	#7
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	One like this?,,, It's my personal fav of all of my handguns,,, This is the one pistol I would keep if I had to sell the rest,,, Fits my hand like a glove and I hit with it,,, Too fine to ever part with. Aarond __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

January 18, 2010, 03:50 PM	#8
jglsprings Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2009 Posts: 1,827	I wouldn't do it. Can I have you buddy's name, please? *GO GET IT* __________________ Let's eat Grandma. Let's eat, Grandma. Commas save lives...

January 18, 2010, 05:40 PM	#10
WVfishguy Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2007 Location: Huntington, WV Posts: 662	I've got S&W N-frames, but I think my Trooper MkIII might be the strongest .357 I own. Way overbuilt for a .357, you could easily use it as a bludgeon for defense, much more so than any Smith I have. I need to get photos of it. It's also accurate as hell. The old Colts are getting really expensive - I saw a Trooper MkIII like Boa's, but not is as good shape, selling for $750; I also saw an older Colt Trooper for $999. __________________ WWSD (What Would Skeeter Do?)

January 17, 2010, 10:28 PM	#2
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	Hah. THAT'S a no brainer; If the guy hasn't butchered or otherwise abused it, go get it back. (I assume we're talking about an original Trooper? If not, disregard.

January 17, 2010, 10:41 PM	#4
Kaya8568 Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Posts: 19	Oh yes, it is an original in excellent shape. What's their worth these days. The last Gun Value Book I've got is from the 1980's. Definately time to invest in a new one.

January 17, 2010, 10:59 PM	#5
22-rimfire Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 5,323	Both the 357 Magnum (Trooper) and the Trooper Mark III are very good revolvers. The Mark III is my preferred shooter. Guess it all depends on the price. You may experience some sticker shock when you buy the current or the new Blue Book in April (2010 edition) as compared to the cost in the 80's.

January 18, 2010, 03:32 AM	#6
skeeter Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Posts: 883	I carried a Trooper MKIII for many years and hand loaded it and fired thousands of factory rounds through it and it is both tough and accurate. It is a great gun. After much use it is as smooth as any Python.

January 18, 2010, 04:19 PM	#9
boa2 Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2004 Posts: 794	I'll say to go get it-run, don't walk! Maybe this photo of my NIB 4" Trooper MK III .357, will help you to make up your mind!:

January 18, 2010, 05:49 PM	#11
longranger Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2008 Location: Buffalo WY Posts: 1,056	I just bought one and they have been explained to me as a "poor mans Python"."a most underated revolver".

January 18, 2010, 05:51 PM	#12
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,640	I have one

January 18, 2010, 07:30 PM	#13
boa2 Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2004 Posts: 794	Yes, the Trooper MK III's are very strong revolvers. Most folks know how strong an Smith and Wesson L-frame revolver is-and, an Ruger GP100 is even stronger. But, the Trooper MK III has been reported to be even stronger than both the L-frame and the GP100!

January 18, 2010, 07:53 PM	#14
tailgunner6 Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2008 Posts: 157	Here's my Trooper .357. I found this example with box and papers, a real keeper: __________________ King of (safe) Queens!

January 18, 2010, 07:55 PM	#15
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,676	Jeez, was it not that many years ago when a Python was a 750 gun? __________________ Your gun is like your nose, it is just wrong for someone else to pick it for you!

January 18, 2010, 08:01 PM	#16
boa2 Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2004 Posts: 794	tailgunner6: Hey, that is a beautiful Colt Trooper .357 you have there! I',ve been on the prowl for a long time looking for one in as nice of condition as yours! Was your ".357" NIB whenever you had purchased it? Well, it does look NIB to me right now?

January 18, 2010, 08:16 PM	#17
tailgunner6 Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2008 Posts: 157	Thanks boa2. Yeah, it was NIB when I bought it (or at least it bore no evidence it was fired other than at the factory that I could see) and it's still unfired. I was lucky to have found it because so many folks are unfamiliar with these first gen. E or I frame (I can never remember which) Troopers - most are familiar with the Mk. III version. I got it for $650 about 3 years ago. I got it to round out my I/E frame collection (not including Pythons, that's separate): OMM .38 Spl, Trooper .357 and Three-Fifty-Seven. __________________ King of (safe) Queens! Last edited by tailgunner6; January 19, 2010 at 08:41 PM.

January 18, 2010, 08:42 PM	#18
Kaya8568 Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Posts: 19	You need to post a bib along side of those pictures so I don't drool over over them. Beautiful Stuff!!!

January 19, 2010, 04:40 PM	#19
boa2 Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2004 Posts: 794	tailgunner6: 1)Thank you for posting the picture of your three beautiful Colt's-I'm impressed! 2)I'm curious about your Colt Model Three-Fifty-Seven? Has this gun been fired-or, fired much at all? 3)Although, I don't yet have a 6" Model Three-Fifty-Seven, I do have a new(Unfired)4" Three-Fifty-Seven, that I got from the original owner-and he had this gun lightly engraved, with a simple-yet, a nice design pattern. Mine is a 1960 vintage.

January 19, 2010, 09:11 PM	#21
texgunner Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 247	Go and get it. You'll have no regrets. The Colt Trooper is a fine revolver.

January 20, 2010, 11:21 AM	#22
biggun_ Member Join Date: January 5, 2010 Posts: 43	Buy it back NOW!! Here's mine: Last edited by biggun_; January 20, 2010 at 04:29 PM.

January 20, 2010, 08:32 PM	#23
jasnake65 Member Join Date: December 26, 2007 Posts: 16	I would get it, I been looking for a 4" Colt 357, have a 6" d love it

February 28, 2010, 10:09 AM	#24
skinnycat Junior Member Join Date: February 28, 2010 Posts: 2	Trooper How about an engraved Colt Trooper MKIII? Any info on one of those?

February 28, 2010, 10:24 AM	#25
Rampant_Colt Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 1,478	by all means get it!! My 1977 Trooper Mk3: Now if only i could get the guy who bought my 6" Trooper Mk5 to sell it back to me. M-C, if you're reading this, I'M DEAD SERIOUS ABOUT GETTING IT BACK... __________________ member of an elite paramilitary organization: Eagle Scouts