Colt Trooper

grdpounder · June 17, 2007, 04:44 PM

I have a Colt Trooper 6" .357 mag that my father gave to me, it was his first service weapon that he bought in 1963 for $60.00. I have yet to shoot this weapon but I may need to use it as a service weapon myself and I have two questions. It appears to be in great shape however, the cylinder seems a little stiff until I rotate it a couple of times, the other is would +P .38's be ok to fire in this pistol. Thanks in advance.
Ed

vanfunk · June 17, 2007, 05:46 PM

That Colt Trooper is a fine revolver and it will handle a virtually endless diet of +P .38 Specials. Troopers of that vintage are often described affectionately as the "poor man's python" because of their stellar accuracy and smooth actions. It will serve you well if you choose to use it as a duty weapon.

Got any pics of it?

vanfunk

SIGSHR · June 17, 2007, 06:30 PM

My trusty old Trooper .357 is my all time favorite. Only caveat is that since
it has been out of production since 1968 some parts-barrels especially-are hard to come by. I had to re-barrel mine in 1978 due to a crack in the forcing cone and I was lucky to find a spare barrel (4") a few years ago.

DPris · June 17, 2007, 06:59 PM

Your cylinder could probably use a thorough cleaning. My 1966 Trooper .357 was very gummed up when I acquired it, including cylinder rotation. If you don't know how to break it down yourself, it would be a good idea to pay a competent gunsmith to tear the gun down completely, clean it, lube it, and reassemble it. When clean and properly lubed, the cylinder should rotate freely, and that will also have a marked affect on the DA trigger pull.
Denis

grdpounder · June 17, 2007, 07:08 PM

Thanks All for the replies, I will probably get with a gunsmith to do a detailed cleaning. I will try to post some pics tomorrow

Ed

grdpounder · June 17, 2007, 07:58 PM

Here is my first try at this, I hope it works.
Ed

grdpounder · June 17, 2007, 08:00 PM

One more

, thanks again.
Ed

jhenry · June 17, 2007, 09:32 PM

I am insanely jealous. What a lovely revolver! Sounds to me though that it needs to be cleaned and lubed.

DPris · June 18, 2007, 12:34 AM

Good, honest old Colt!
Try to pick a GOOD gunsmith who'll take it down to the bare frame & clean it. Just removing the cylinder & crane & squirting some Breakfree into it here & there won't do it. It needs to be completely broken down. If your smith is competent with the older Colts (and very few are nowdays), you might ask him to do a routine checkup on timing & parts wear while he's got it.
Good luck.
Denis

22-rimfire · June 18, 2007, 10:21 AM

Great revolver. You should have no problem using 357 or any 38spl round. I would tend to choose some of the lower powered 357 loadings to shoot in it and avoid the 125 gr loads. Your pictures look great.l

slow944 · June 18, 2007, 11:21 AM

The only reason I don't have my 65 Trooper is because I sold it to finance a 81 Python. Mine was the 4" and was really a great shooter. I was so down about selling it that I tried to buy it back but it was already sold.

wrkerr · June 21, 2007, 09:48 PM

Great looking Trooper! You just gotta love those old Colts. Here's my 1954 Colt .357 (not Trooper), first year of production. My dad bought it new in '54 and it has been in the family it's entire life. Shoots like a dream.

jetman · June 22, 2007, 05:46 PM

I would suggest sending it in to Colt for a thorough going over. They did a couple old Colt pistols of mine and came back with awesome smooth actions.
It was well worth the time and shipping charges.

grdpounder · June 28, 2007, 04:53 PM

Hi all, thanks for all the answers and compliments about the Trooper, now I need your expertise once again. Can any one give me a good belt holster recommendation for this weapon? Thanks in advance.
Al

slow944 · June 28, 2007, 09:50 PM

I have a DiSantis Colt holster for my Python. The Python is a 6"bbl and the holster is for the 4" Trooper I sold but it fis like a glove.

hoser1911 · July 3, 2007, 05:57 PM

Is everyone here with and old time DA Colt six shooter absolutely sure they don't want to trade it for a...

hoser1911 · July 3, 2007, 06:06 PM

I'd like to show up at an IDPA match with that '54 Colt and retire some of those new gaget guns others use.

JR47 · July 3, 2007, 06:37 PM

No, nobody wants to trade it for a 3000 round maximum S&W, like you apparently own. :barf:

hoser1911 · July 6, 2007, 03:20 AM

Buying either of those two Colts shows that someone had some class.

Back in the day Colt as well as S&W showed some class through design & workmanship. Some were smart and bought a piece.

hoser1911 · July 6, 2007, 03:22 AM

Buying either of those two Colts shows that someone had some class.

Back in the day Colt as well as S&W showed some class through design & workmanship. Some were smart and bought a piece.

tommy1969 · August 1, 2007, 12:11 AM

The first thing I would look for is a bent ejector rod or a too-small barrel/cylinder gap which makes it "coke-up" after a few cylinders full. You don't say when it turns hard, so I'm guessing it is when it is closed.

Grab the gun by its grip frame exactly opposite the normal way so that you are pointing it at yourself (unloaded of course!) Slowly cock the hammer with your index finger until the cylinder begins to move and then stop cocking it. The cylinder should now turn without stopping; keep turning it. Notice by sight if the ejector rod is bent or straight.

A Colt is not hard to clean/inspect by disassembling the cylinder, but you will need a vise and some rubber padding for the jaws. If you do not have the tools, skip this and get it to a gunsmith. If you want to tackle it yourself, you'll have to remove (unscrew) the ejector rod head in order to get the ejector rod back past and free of the cylinder. Then you can take it apart to inspect it.

Perhaps it has just seen some bad lube methods decades ago and is now slowing down due to old polymerizing oil.

Tommy

JoeHatley · August 1, 2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

I have a Colt Trooper 6" .357 mag that my father gave to me

My father gave me an original Trooper also. I had the barrel replaced.

Joe

Bob F. · August 7, 2007, 10:09 PM

Joe H.: Jordan grips?

Nice guns all. Had a 4" nickle trooper yrs ago. Wish I still had it. Used to shoot at qt oil cans @200yds when we got bored w/ regular range work. Never hit any but had fun. Could definitely offer suppressive fire at that range.

Stay safe.
Bob

JoeHatley · August 8, 2007, 09:34 AM

Yes, those are Jordan style grips by Herrett, in fancy walnut. A gift from a member over at the Ruger Forum.

Joe

June 17, 2007, 04:44 PM	#1
grdpounder Member Join Date: July 13, 2006 Posts: 37	Colt Trooper I have a Colt Trooper 6" .357 mag that my father gave to me, it was his first service weapon that he bought in 1963 for $60.00. I have yet to shoot this weapon but I may need to use it as a service weapon myself and I have two questions. It appears to be in great shape however, the cylinder seems a little stiff until I rotate it a couple of times, the other is would +P .38's be ok to fire in this pistol. Thanks in advance. Ed

June 17, 2007, 05:46 PM	#2
vanfunk Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 1999 Posts: 472	That Colt Trooper is a fine revolver and it will handle a virtually endless diet of +P .38 Specials. Troopers of that vintage are often described affectionately as the "poor man's python" because of their stellar accuracy and smooth actions. It will serve you well if you choose to use it as a duty weapon. Got any pics of it? vanfunk __________________ 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church door. But 'tis enough. 'Twill serve...

June 17, 2007, 07:08 PM	#5
grdpounder Member Join Date: July 13, 2006 Posts: 37	Thanks Thanks All for the replies, I will probably get with a gunsmith to do a detailed cleaning. I will try to post some pics tomorrow Ed

June 17, 2007, 07:58 PM	#6
grdpounder Member Join Date: July 13, 2006 Posts: 37	Trooper Pic Here is my first try at this, I hope it works. Ed

June 17, 2007, 08:00 PM	#7
grdpounder Member Join Date: July 13, 2006 Posts: 37	Trooper pic One more, thanks again. Ed

June 17, 2007, 06:30 PM	#3
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	My trusty old Trooper .357 is my all time favorite. Only caveat is that since it has been out of production since 1968 some parts-barrels especially-are hard to come by. I had to re-barrel mine in 1978 due to a crack in the forcing cone and I was lucky to find a spare barrel (4") a few years ago.

June 17, 2007, 06:59 PM	#4
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	Your cylinder could probably use a thorough cleaning. My 1966 Trooper .357 was very gummed up when I acquired it, including cylinder rotation. If you don't know how to break it down yourself, it would be a good idea to pay a competent gunsmith to tear the gun down completely, clean it, lube it, and reassemble it. When clean and properly lubed, the cylinder should rotate freely, and that will also have a marked affect on the DA trigger pull. Denis

June 17, 2007, 09:32 PM	#8
jhenry Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Location: Ozarks Posts: 1,840	I am insanely jealous. What a lovely revolver! Sounds to me though that it needs to be cleaned and lubed. __________________ "A Liberal is someone who doesn't care what you do, as long as it's mandatory". - Charles Krauthammer

June 18, 2007, 12:34 AM	#9
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	Good, honest old Colt! Try to pick a GOOD gunsmith who'll take it down to the bare frame & clean it. Just removing the cylinder & crane & squirting some Breakfree into it here & there won't do it. It needs to be completely broken down. If your smith is competent with the older Colts (and very few are nowdays), you might ask him to do a routine checkup on timing & parts wear while he's got it. Good luck. Denis

June 18, 2007, 10:21 AM	#10
22-rimfire Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 5,323	Great revolver. You should have no problem using 357 or any 38spl round. I would tend to choose some of the lower powered 357 loadings to shoot in it and avoid the 125 gr loads. Your pictures look great.l

June 18, 2007, 11:21 AM	#11
slow944 Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2006 Location: DFW,TX Posts: 406	The only reason I don't have my 65 Trooper is because I sold it to finance a 81 Python. Mine was the 4" and was really a great shooter. I was so down about selling it that I tried to buy it back but it was already sold. __________________ I Have A 45 And A Shovel. Don't Mess With Texas! DFW,TX.

June 21, 2007, 09:48 PM	#12
wrkerr Junior Member Join Date: September 7, 2002 Location: kern co. kalifornia Posts: 12	Great looking Trooper! You just gotta love those old Colts. Here's my 1954 Colt .357 (not Trooper), first year of production. My dad bought it new in '54 and it has been in the family it's entire life. Shoots like a dream. __________________ There is no substitute for quality. NRA life member LEO retired

June 22, 2007, 05:46 PM	#13
jetman Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2007 Posts: 154	I would suggest sending it in to Colt for a thorough going over. They did a couple old Colt pistols of mine and came back with awesome smooth actions. It was well worth the time and shipping charges.

June 28, 2007, 04:53 PM	#14
grdpounder Member Join Date: July 13, 2006 Posts: 37	Need Holster Hi all, thanks for all the answers and compliments about the Trooper, now I need your expertise once again. Can any one give me a good belt holster recommendation for this weapon? Thanks in advance. Al

June 28, 2007, 09:50 PM	#15
slow944 Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2006 Location: DFW,TX Posts: 406	I have a DiSantis Colt holster for my Python. The Python is a 6"bbl and the holster is for the 4" Trooper I sold but it fis like a glove. __________________ I Have A 45 And A Shovel. Don't Mess With Texas! DFW,TX.

July 3, 2007, 05:57 PM	#16
hoser1911 Junior member Join Date: March 17, 2006 Posts: 46	Is everyone here with and old time DA Colt six shooter absolutely sure they don't want to trade it for a... Last edited by hoser1911; July 6, 2007 at 03:24 AM.

July 3, 2007, 06:06 PM	#17
hoser1911 Junior member Join Date: March 17, 2006 Posts: 46	I'd like to show up at an IDPA match with that '54 Colt and retire some of those new gaget guns others use.

July 3, 2007, 06:37 PM	#18
JR47 Junior member Join Date: August 9, 2005 Location: North Georgia Posts: 2,228	No, nobody wants to trade it for a 3000 round maximum S&W, like you apparently own. :barf:

July 6, 2007, 03:20 AM	#19
hoser1911 Junior member Join Date: March 17, 2006 Posts: 46	Thses guys had class. Buying either of those two Colts shows that someone had some class. Back in the day Colt as well as S&W showed some class through design & workmanship. Some were smart and bought a piece.

July 6, 2007, 03:22 AM	#20
hoser1911 Junior member Join Date: March 17, 2006 Posts: 46	Thses guys had class. Buying either of those two Colts shows that someone had some class. Back in the day Colt as well as S&W showed some class through design & workmanship. Some were smart and bought a piece.

August 1, 2007, 12:11 AM	#21
tommy1969 Member Join Date: July 31, 2007 Posts: 26	The first thing I would look for is a bent ejector rod or a too-small barrel/cylinder gap which makes it "coke-up" after a few cylinders full. You don't say when it turns hard, so I'm guessing it is when it is closed. Grab the gun by its grip frame exactly opposite the normal way so that you are pointing it at yourself (unloaded of course!) Slowly cock the hammer with your index finger until the cylinder begins to move and then stop cocking it. The cylinder should now turn without stopping; keep turning it. Notice by sight if the ejector rod is bent or straight. A Colt is not hard to clean/inspect by disassembling the cylinder, but you will need a vise and some rubber padding for the jaws. If you do not have the tools, skip this and get it to a gunsmith. If you want to tackle it yourself, you'll have to remove (unscrew) the ejector rod head in order to get the ejector rod back past and free of the cylinder. Then you can take it apart to inspect it. Perhaps it has just seen some bad lube methods decades ago and is now slowing down due to old polymerizing oil. Tommy

August 7, 2007, 10:09 PM	#23
Bob F. Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2004 Location: Southeastern WV (left out "north") Posts: 195	Joe H.: Jordan grips? Nice guns all. Had a 4" nickle trooper yrs ago. Wish I still had it. Used to shoot at qt oil cans @200yds when we got bored w/ regular range work. Never hit any but had fun. Could definitely offer suppressive fire at that range. Stay safe. Bob

August 8, 2007, 09:34 AM	#24
JoeHatley Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,135	Yes, those are Jordan style grips by Herrett, in fancy walnut. A gift from a member over at the Ruger Forum. Joe __________________ Go NRA