Colt Trooper Mk III demand?

[James E Thompson]

I've owned a .357 trooper mk III with a 6" barrel for over 25 years and it was given to me from my father-in-law. Just wondering what the value is these days? I haven't shot the gun very much and it just lays around the safe.

Looking for input.

----Idaho Jim

[Guesser]

Condition is everything, same as always, but they command prices in the astronomical range, same as anything else that don't git made no more. Go to coltforum.com or gun broker and look around. It will make you proud to be the owner of a Mark III; I am!!!

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Really fine gun--I've had one for at least 35 years. Heavy, accurate, can't wear them out even with continuous full power .357 loads. I've seen a couple in what appeared to be excellent condition sell recently on gunauction.com for a bit over $600.

[Hardcast416taylor]

Back in the `70`s I carried a 4" Trooper Mk 3 as a LEO. It shows holster wear at the spots where a hostler would make contact, but other wise is as strong and as accurate as when new. I shoot mostly .38`s thru it now due to my less fondness to recoil!Robert

[Quickdraw4u]

Going on Gunbroker for $650 to $1000 depending on condition. Troopers are sleepers right now due to lower demand. They do not command the prices that the Snake guns do, but they are a great investment as the prices will only go up. Hope this helps.

[FergusonTO35]

I would rather have a Trooper than a Python as a shooter, they just hold up better. Unfortunately the Trooper was too little too late as the S&W Highway Patrolman, magnum K frames, and Ruger Six series had the market cornered by the time it came out.

[odis]

The Trooper MKIII was introduced in 69 and was ahead of its time. Ruger had not adopted the transfer bar yet and Smith had not developed the mid sized frame yet.

[roundgun]

The Trooper MKIII was my first 357 revolver. I had to sell her to fix my auto, broke skool kid. I got 400.0 for her back in the mid 80's. the price will only go up when all those Colt collectors get tired of paying 3 or 4 grand for a snake gun, and figure out what a gem the MKIII is.

[FatherAbraham]

Bragging time! Got mine for $200. in 2010, guy didn't like the single action trigger pull. Called it a hair trigger.
She ain't pristine, shows just a little wear here & there but I bought it to shoot anyway

[Mike in Reedley]

I have a 6", which I recently paid $400 for. I've read the firing pins don't do well with dry firing and it's a factory only repair. I also hear that Colt is not presently accepting revolvers for repair until they get caught up a bit. If the gun has an Achilles heel, it might be that. I baby mine by keeping snap caps in it when not live firing.

[merlin101]

Mine spends a lot of time in the safe and only comes out to play on real nice days. When I do take it out she reminds me just how sweet she is! It's a MKIII in nickel or chrome (not sure which)and gets a lot looks at the range. I saw one like it a show a year ago priced at IIRC $850.

[FergusonTO35]

The Trooper MKIII was introduced in 69 and was ahead of its time. Ruger had not adopted the transfer bar yet and Smith had not developed the mid sized frame yet.

If I'm not mistaken the .357 K-frame was introduced in 1957, the Ruger Security Six was introduced in 1972.

[AK Caster]

This thread reminded me to dig through one of my safes. Thought I had a Trooper and sure enough I do. Bought two back in 1982 or 1983, sold one. The one in my safe has the 6 inch barrel. Opened up the box and found the receipt, $189. This was when I had an FFL.
Guess there is no point shooting it now, lol.

[James E Thompson]

The input opened my eyes to the value of the gun. I probably won't sell because it was a gift and have a special spot in my heart for it. Good to know the gun may sell for around $500-$800. My son may want the gun sometime and it keeps increasing in value. Thanks for all the information on the thread.

[merlin101]

This thread reminded me to dig through one of my safes. Thought I had a Trooper and sure enough I do. Bought two back in 1982 or 1983, sold one. The one in my safe has the 6 inch barrel. Opened up the box and found the receipt, $189. This was when I had an FFL.
Guess there is no point shooting it now, lol.

Want to double your money? :) I had no idea that it was priced so cheap, but then again in 82 that was still a good chunk o money!

[hollywood63]

Bragging time! Got mine for $200. in 2010, guy didn't like the single action trigger pull. Called it a hair trigger.
She ain't pristine, shows just a little wear here & there but I bought it to shoot anyway

Thats what I paid for a nickel/stainless 8 3/8 model. Guy needed money real bad and I had it. :) My wife loves it as she can put six in the diameter of a quarter at 25-30 feet. I always tell her it's because the end of the barrel as half way to the target.:bigsmyl2:

[truckerdave397]

I bought a used 6 inch in the early 70s. I think I paid $175 for it. After seeing these other deal I think I got screwed.

[375supermag]

Hi...

I have a couple of Colt Troopers, a MkIII and a MkV. Think I paid about $300-350 each a few years ago. Nice accurate handguns...my gunsmith told me they are strong, durable revolvers.

I shoot them some (maybe 500 rounds a year together)but not near as much as my Ruger BlackHawks or S&W 686, which get a couple thousand rounds each a year.

[Petrol & Powder]

I purchased a like new (but not new) MKIII in about 1988 for $200. It floated around the family and eventually came back to me. I recently sold it for it for just under $600.
I've never been much of a Colt fan but he Trooper MKIII was a real sleeper in terms of value. They were never in the same league as the Pythons but they were inexpensive, solid guns.

[smkummer]

Today, a good asking price if you sell and its 98% or more would be $7-800. If your patient, you may find one for $600 these days. I believe the 6" has more demand of the 4". A tank of a revolver for sure but not as big as a N frame. I am kind of bullish to high prices on these.

[bouncer50]

I have one made in 1972 i only paid 300 bucks for it about 6 years ago. I like my trooper better then my python.