Two, four and six inch barrels were standard length. The MK III line was discontinued in 1983. Colt stayed with the older engineering in regards to the Python, Diamondback, Detective Special, Officer Model Match, Police Positive and Cobra models. The result was a line of revolvers that was more economical. Using these parts virtually eliminated hand fitting, significantly lowering labor costs associated with the assembly and manufacture of the MK III line. The sintered parts also allowed for improved fabrication tolerances, and could be given a special heat treatment resulting in a harder more wear-resistant composition. The MK III also vastly improved on the earlier design in durability, and offered the advantage of employing sintered iron internal parts rather than expensive forged ones.

This lockwork was not only more sophisticated, but inherently safer due to its superiority to the older hammer-blocking designs the revolver could fire only if the trigger was deliberately pulled completely to the rear. The new revolvers were considered groundbreaking as they were the first modern revolver designs to employ a state of the art transfer-bar lockwork system. 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. This made significant engineering changes to the Trooper, and Official Police models. The Colt Trooper and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors: Film TitleĬoncerned with a decline in its market share because of price increases brought about by the high labor costs inherent in its manufacturing processes, the MK III line of Colt revolvers was introduced in 1969. The 3-5-7 received the same level of hand fitting that the Python received. 357 Magnum to the Trooper's list of calibers. In 1961 Colt stopped making the 3-5-7 and added the. When Colt brought out the Python in 1955 the 3-5-7 was the odd man out and it never enjoyed the sales numbers of the Trooper and Python. Approximately 15,000 units were manufactured. Both models used the medium sized 'I' frame. The 3-5-7 revolver was the 357 Magnum model with an awkward name. From 1953 to 1961 the Trooper was only available in 38 Special and 22 Long Rifle. The original Colt Trooper was introduced in 1953 and discontinued in 1969. Therefore, it was more affordable and popular with police officers and private citizens with more modest incomes throughout the fifties and sixties. However, it wasn't as tuned in its action (though there are those who disagree with this evaluation) and it lacked the full lugged barrel and the raised and ventilated sight rib of the Python. 357 Magnum was considered to be the 'poor man's' Colt Python.

Colt trooper production dates