The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: BAC on December 30, 2010, 06:32:11 PM

Title: Thoughts on the Colt Trooper MkIII?
Post by: BAC on December 30, 2010, 06:32:11 PM
I was at a local gun shop today perusing the limited selection (inventory tomorrow), when I noticed a used Colt Trooper MkIII with a 4" barrel.  It is on consignment and the price seems to be in line with what I've seen on the internet.  The guy behind the counter said the owner told him he never fired it.  I don't know if he was the original owner, but the revolver looks immaculate.

They won't take a trade toward it because it's on consignment, and I didn't want to spend the money, so I left.  After getting home I told my wife about it and she told me I should get it.  The store won't re-open until Monday, and I'm really considering it.

Anyone here have experience with the Trooper? Good, bad?  Thanks for any input.
Title: Re: Thoughts on the Colt Trooper MkIII?
Post by: Timothy on December 30, 2010, 06:56:54 PM
It's a Colt that's nearly thirty years old.  Check the function, gaps, lockup and timing and if it seems a good deal, buy it!
Title: Re: Thoughts on the Colt Trooper MkIII?
Post by: Ichiban on December 30, 2010, 07:40:16 PM
It's a Colt that's nearly thirty years old.  Check the function, gaps, lockup and timing and if it seems a good deal, buy it!

I got rid of a 6" Trooper that had a trigger job done on it.  Next to the first wife, that was one of my dumbest moves.   :-[

You wont regret getting it - you will regret letting is get away.
Title: Re: Thoughts on the Colt Trooper MkIII?
Post by: tombogan03884 on December 30, 2010, 09:05:59 PM
Never heard any thing bad about them.
Title: Re: Thoughts on the Colt Trooper MkIII?
Post by: m25operator on December 31, 2010, 01:45:25 AM
The only thing that stinks is their coil spring ignition system, just like Ruger, you can make them better, never the equal of a S&W, I had an 8" model and it was accurate as all get out ( old Texas saying ), but nothing an L frame could not duplicate, with a better double action., if it is cheap, under 300 bucks buy it, but if it more than 300, look for a Smith. JMHO.

Good luck.
Title: Re: Thoughts on the Colt Trooper MkIII?
Post by: gunman42782 on December 31, 2010, 03:50:52 AM
I think the above $300 figure is way too low.  These sell for well above that figure.  I have one, and love it.  One of the slickest handling guns I have owned.  And very accurate.

(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/gunman42782/100_2677.jpg)
Title: Re: Thoughts on the Colt Trooper MkIII?
Post by: rat31465 on December 31, 2010, 06:30:09 AM
Be extra vigilant when checking the timing on the MKIII...these are smooth and sweet revolvers but have been reported to be plagued with timing issues if fed a steady diet of full house ammo.
Title: Re: Thoughts on the Colt Trooper MkIII?
Post by: BAC on December 31, 2010, 06:45:22 AM
I've been checking some places online and the going price for the 4" blued Trooper in .357 magnum is between 500 and 750 dollars.  The price on the one in my shop is $499, but the thing is pristine.  Again, the guy at the shop said it's never been fired, and I believe it looking at the revolver.  Is $499 too much to pay for this?
Title: Re: Thoughts on the Colt Trooper MkIII?
Post by: rat31465 on December 31, 2010, 07:17:15 AM
Pristine and unfired condition...$499 from a purely collectable standpoint I might say no this isn't too high a price...
From a shooter standpoint I would say Yes...you could almost buy a new Smith revolver for that price.
If you are really into Colt and want it as a collector then buy it.
Title: Re: Thoughts on the Colt Trooper MkIII?
Post by: fightingquaker13 on December 31, 2010, 07:25:22 AM
How does this compare to the Python? Its the only Colt I've owned, and I deeply regret trading it. Are the two comparable?
FQ13
Title: Re: Thoughts on the Colt Trooper MkIII?
Post by: BAC on January 03, 2011, 12:49:33 PM
Is my face red.  Went back to the store today and realized that it's not a Trooper MkIII.  It's a Lawman MkIII.  I ended up not getting the Colt...but I did walk out with a Ruger GP100.  More later, I'm supposed to be working right now.
Title: Re: Thoughts on the Colt Trooper MkIII?
Post by: tombogan03884 on January 03, 2011, 04:24:15 PM
And a fine Job you're doing !   ;D
Title: Re: Thoughts on the Colt Trooper MkIII?
Post by: BAC on January 03, 2011, 04:26:03 PM
And a fine Job you're doing !   ;D

Ummmm...Thanks?
Title: Re: Thoughts on the Colt Trooper MkIII?
Post by: BAC on January 04, 2011, 04:03:19 PM
So anyway, I ended up getting a used GP100 instead of the Colt yesterday.  It cost less, has a nicer (to me) grip, and it was not on consignment, which meant they would take a trade for it.  I traded my S&W 637 in for the Ruger and it only ended up costing me about $70-ish with tax and fees, etc.  I didn't think that was bad, considering I didn't pay anything for the 637.  I also put my Beretta 92 on consignment, and when (if) it sells I'll be putting the money toward either a Glock 19 or 26.

I took the Ruger to the range today to test it out.  It definitely has a heavier trigger pull than I'm used to, but I'll get over it.



And now for the cell phone porn:

(http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp244/bchiaravalle/2011-01-04154006.jpg)


(http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp244/bchiaravalle/2011-01-04154020.jpg)
Title: Re: Thoughts on the Colt Trooper MkIII?
Post by: gunman42782 on January 05, 2011, 04:37:45 AM
Congratulations on the GP100.  I have owned one for many years.  They are very fine sixguns. 
Title: Re: Thoughts on the Colt Trooper MkIII?
Post by: tjmcdougal on January 09, 2011, 01:06:46 PM
I have seen the prices on used Troopers and they are way above $500.00 It would be a good  shooter as well as a collector. I have a Colt King Cobra  with a 6 inch barrel which is really sweet, but like the other guy said," watch the timing." Mine had issues after a couple hundred rounds, is working great after I had the factory work it over. If I could find a Trooper under $5oo I'd grab it in a minute. Good luck.
Title: Re: Thoughts on the Colt Trooper MkIII?
Post by: alfsauve on January 09, 2011, 02:38:05 PM
................. when (if) it sells I'll be putting the money toward either a Glock 19 or 26.

My Thoughts:   Don't get a 19 or 26 but get the 23 or 27 WITH a Fox Conversion barrel.   Then you'll have a convertible .40/9mm.  It's really cool.  For 9mm the 19 mags will work in the 23 and the 26 mags in the 27.  Plus you have a better 9mm barrel, than the Glock would have been.    Some distributors were offering their dealers a complete set.  It's what I got.   Glock 23, with 40/9mm barrel, 2 .40 mags and 2 9mm mags and Tritium sights.  All one package for the same price as the 23 is normally.


Oh and you can also get a .357 sig barrel for it as well. 
Title: Re: Thoughts on the Colt Trooper MkIII?
Post by: BAC on January 09, 2011, 02:58:04 PM
My Thoughts:   Don't get a 19 or 26 but get the 23 or 27 WITH a Fox Conversion barrel.   Then you'll have a convertible .40/9mm.  It's really cool.  For 9mm the 19 mags will work in the 23 and the 26 mags in the 27.  Plus you have a better 9mm barrel, than the Glock would have been.    Some distributors were offering their dealers a complete set.  It's what I got.   Glock 23, with 40/9mm barrel, 2 .40 mags and 2 9mm mags and Tritium sights.  All one package for the same price as the 23 is normally.


Oh and you can also get a .357 sig barrel for it as well. 

I'll have to check that out.  Thanks, Alf.