COLT TROOPER PRODUCTION DATES SERIES

The springs used in the Mark III internals were also an improvement. The new revolvers employed transfer-bar lockwork system, so that the revolver could fire only if the trigger was deliberately pulled completely to the rear. Intended to be the first major advancement of Colt’s designs since the beginning of the 20th century, the MK IIIs used a new ‘J’ frame and had no parts interchangeability with older models.

COLT TROOPER PRODUCTION DATES SERIES

In response, an entirely new product line of revolvers dubbed the MK III series debuted in 1969. In the late 1960s, Colt began to be concerned with a decline in its market share because of price increases brought about by the high labor costs inherent in its manufacturing processes. Both models shared the same forged and labor-intensive hand-fitted internal lockwork. The Trooper was targeted at the entry-level and Law enforcement service-level segment of the firearms market while the highly polished and expensive 357 model revolver was intended to be their premium offering. All the Troopers from this series had hammer mounted firing pins. Barrel lengths available included four inch in. Service versions featured smaller more basic hammers and stocks, and fixed sights. Both Target and Service versions of the Trooper were available, the Target models sporting hand-filling Walnutgrips, larger and wider targethammers, and adjustable iron sights. Early blued Troopers boasted a two-tone color scheme with dull Colt Royal Blue on the flat surfaces and a black bead blasted texture on the edges and cylinder flutes. Manufactured with fine carbon steel, it was available in both blued and nickel-plated finishes. The new Colt Python is one that rivals the Trooper for build quality, but it’s the exception.The original Trooper was a heavy-barreled version of the Officers Model Match and was based on Colt’s medium I frame. When I look at the deep bluing on my Trooper, that’s pretty obvious. You know, it’s hard to find new guns built to these same standards as regular service guns were 30 or more years ago. You could argue that they make for a good investment, but that implies flipping the gun to realize the profit, and that’s not going to happen. These guns go for five to eight times that amount today. They were around $200 back in the day, and like my. If I knew then what I know now I would have purchased a matching blue steel Trooper Mk III in. The Troopers were available with a 4-inch barrel (like mine), a 6-inch barrel, or an 8-inch barrel, and they could be had with a high polish blue (like mine), a high-polish nickel, or a brushed nickel finish. Or, I may put the original grips back on the gun (they’re around here somewhere). One of these days I’ll get around to hogging out the interior of the custom grips and fitting them to the Trooper with AcraGlas, but that’s a project for the future. The build standards were way higher back in the day. The grips say Colt Custom, but my Trooper was a regular production gun. The smooth grips look good and the medallions imply the gun went throught the Colt Custom Shop (it did not), but truth be told, the original grips offer a better hold and they fit the revolver better. It came with the original lighter colored (and checkered) walnut grips, but I saw the grips you see the revolver wearing in these photos about 15 years ago and I had to have them. I bought my Trooper used, but it is in as new condition. 357 Magnum Trooper, and that means there’s a lot more steel in the barrel and the cylinder. The Trooper kept the same external envelope (i.e., the exterior dimensions) as the far-more-powerful. These are awesome target guns, relatively inexpensive to shoot, and just plain fun. That was a thing back in the ’60s and ’70s, you know, offering full-sized revolvers but in. 357 Magnum, then it was redesigned as the Trooper Mk III, and then it was offered in. 38 Special, then it was chambered for the.

The Trooper is based on a Colt that was originally a. It groups as well as a Model 41 Smith and Wesson, a target handgun with maybe twice the sight radius. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the little Trooper is a phenomenally accurate handgun, maybe one of the most accurate I’ve ever shot. Deep bluing, crisp lockwork, and color case hardening on the hammer. It was marked $225, I offered $200, the guy on the other side of the counter said okay, and the Trooper was mine. I wasn’t in the market, but when I saw the Trooper it grabbed my attention. The revolver was in their display case on the lower shelf and I almost didn’t see it. I picked it up maybe 30 years ago in a local gun store. 22 Long Rifle, an interesting and extremely accurate revolver. Take a look at this: A Colt Trooper Mk III chambered in.

Colt trooper production dates