Anyone Remember the Colt Trooper?

[Stu]

My first handgun was a Colt Trooper Mark III that I purchased new for $180. Chamber in .357 with a 6" barrel. Still have the gun but have not shot it in years. What do you think it is worth now over 30 years later.

[cbagman]

I'll give ya the $180 for it...Actual vlaue is $250 to $350, depending on finish and condition. Nickel ones bring 10% more.. cbagman

[Stu]

Thanks for the info on the Trooper. I think I will hang on to it for another 30 years. It was the first pistol that I purchased. It still is in excellent condition. Great self defense gun.

[Rustyinfla]

We used to refer to the Trooper as the poor man's Python. Nothing wrong with it. It needs to be shot though.
              Rusty <><

[Kivaari]

IIRC, the Trooper Mk III was the later Trooper with coil mainspring

I had a plain "Trooper" some 25 years ago that was indeed a "Python" style lock works with flat mainspring and all. Can't believe I traded it!!! It was as smooth as a baby's....well..you know...

[daddywpb]

You brought back memories. At one time I had a Python, a Trooper, and two Diamondbacks, one in 38 spl., and one in .22 lr. They all got traded of for one thing or another. i wish I had them all back, especially the .22.

[ND Sharpshooter]

Used a 4" Trooper MK III as my duty side arm for six and a half years.  Tried my darndest to wear it out.  Had it Mag-na-ported and a yellow front sight insert put in it.  Shot at least 10,000 cast bullets thru it every year.  This was in addition to the Silver Tips we used back then.  Used at least two 50 round boxes of them per year.  Never could shoot it loose.  Sold it to a fellow officer when I retired from LE work.  He carried it for years til his SO went over to semi-autos.  You've got a good side arm there, Stu.  30 more years sounds about right.

[ggardner]

I used a blue 4" Trouper 26 years ago when I first started police work.  A friend slicked up the innards and it was an extra fine gun.  Back then the firearms/range master tested you to see if you could shoot but they did not teach you much of anything about what type of ammo to use for personal defense.  I used 158 grain jacked hollow points in it like I had used in a Blackhawk for deer, not knowing any better.  About 6 months into police work I got in a shoot-out and had the opportunity to learn those passed right through with out the best of performance.  Saved my neck but I should have had 125s or something lighter.  Anyway, as much as I liked the Trouper I sold it to finace a 1911 .45acp to build my confidence. It did.
Great gun the Trouper.

[wrkerr]

IIRC, the Trooper Mk III was the later Trooper with coil mainspring

I had a plain "Trooper" some 25 years ago that was indeed a "Python" style lock works with flat mainspring and all. Can't believe I traded it!!! It was as smooth as a baby's....well..you know...

Hello to all! New guy here....just found this forum. The Mark III was indeed a coil spring.  

How about this? I still have my 4" "Trooper" that I carried in the 70's, but it is the 1st year of production, 1954 or 1955, I don't remember which. The barrel says "Colt .357" not Trooper. It's an oldie but a goodie.  It was my Dad's, and will someday go to one of my sons.

It is definitely smooooooth..........

[mikedb]

I recently bought a 6 in nickle plated one for 250 at a Gander mtn in northern mi.  I told my son I would give it to him when he turns 18.  I wish I did not do that, because I love this gun.

[Siskiyou]

Mikedb:  Sound like you got an outstanding price on your trooper.  I was looking at one in the 6000+ serial number range the other day.  They want just under $400 for it.

The early Troopers had the same guts as the Python.  The action from the factory was not as slick, and of course it was without the nice barrel and fine finish.  It was designed as a reliable "field grade" pistol.

I have had mine for many years.  It shows the holster wear but it is a good shooter.  I still have some of the original Winchester 158 grain copper coated lead ammo.  Then the progression went to 158 grain jacketed softpoints, and then the 125 grain hollow points.  Once the S&W M19 was issued, I retired the Trooper.

[Jim n Iowa]

i have a Colt Trooper MK3 4" nickle plated that I bought 68-69. The only thing I changed was the front sight. I bought it as I didn't want to wait for a Python. It has a s/n 6xxxx-x A great gun on the hip in the field hunting, replaced by a RH loaded with 44 sp