Colt made the Trooper model revolver from 1953 to 1969 and then in 1969 incorporated the model name into a completely different lockwork design called the Trooper Mk III. They also made the Colt Three-Fifty-Seven on the same frame size and started that model name in 1954. From '53 to '61, the Trooper was chambered in 38 Special and probably due to the introduction of the Python in 1955, Colt dropped the 357 model completely and started making the Trooper in 357 in 1961.
My Trooper is a 4" barrel version (they also came with 6" tubes) and according to the serial number was made in 1962. Mine has the target hammer which is still just about the best hammer I have ever seen for thumb-cocking. It also sports the service grips, which due to my method of shooting were slightly uncomfortable.
The Trooper is soaking in Hoppe's as I type this and in spite of the grips, I did very well with it and the action was very smooth. Colts are known for their 'stagey' DA actions and they do take getting used to, but once it is mastered, it is very 'doable' and a lot of people prefer this action to the later Colt lockwork. Sixty rounds went into the evil pizza box and all of them were rapid DA, and in spite of the grip, I did well.
One thing I noticed was that the same HKS speedloaders will work in the L-frame S&W and the Trooper/Python/Official Police, Colt models.
I found a picture of one that is very similar to mine on imfdb. Mine has the target hammer and ius blued rather than nickel finished.
My Trooper is a very good medium-sized 357 revolver, and if you can find one, it will likely serve you quite well.
My Trooper is a 4" barrel version (they also came with 6" tubes) and according to the serial number was made in 1962. Mine has the target hammer which is still just about the best hammer I have ever seen for thumb-cocking. It also sports the service grips, which due to my method of shooting were slightly uncomfortable.
The Trooper is soaking in Hoppe's as I type this and in spite of the grips, I did very well with it and the action was very smooth. Colts are known for their 'stagey' DA actions and they do take getting used to, but once it is mastered, it is very 'doable' and a lot of people prefer this action to the later Colt lockwork. Sixty rounds went into the evil pizza box and all of them were rapid DA, and in spite of the grip, I did well.
One thing I noticed was that the same HKS speedloaders will work in the L-frame S&W and the Trooper/Python/Official Police, Colt models.
I found a picture of one that is very similar to mine on imfdb. Mine has the target hammer and ius blued rather than nickel finished.
My Trooper is a very good medium-sized 357 revolver, and if you can find one, it will likely serve you quite well.
