Colt Trooper III in 22LR

[delta1970]

Hi Everyone I found a like new in box Colt Trooper MKIII in 22 LR with a 6 inch barrel. It looks mint except for one problem, the thumb latch for the cylinder is very loose, it still works but I can easily see a bunched up spring and what looks like a plastic piece, so I think something is messed up. I got the gun for 320.00 dollars so I'm not into it for too much. I called Colt and apparently they can still fix these. Does anyone know what the fix may be or the level of difficulty?

[A1A]

Welcome to the forum. The fix may not be difficult depending on your basic mechanical skills and/or experience, but there are some caveats. The spring may be displaced or bent, the nylon piece called a latch insert may be worn or "chewed up" a little or the latch may just not fit the sideplate well. Replacement springs and inserts are available. The sideplate must be removed. This requires correct size hollow ground screwdriver(s) or bit(s) and the correct technique. MkIII sideplates are typically fitted very tightly and are often challenging but not impossible to replace. Here is an excerpt form The Colt Double Action Revolvers, A Shop Manual, Vol. II by Jerry Kuhnhausen, a highly recommended book for anyone contemplating even a small amount of work on Colt J (MkIII), AA (King Cobra) or MM (Anaconda) framed revolvers. It should give you a general idea of the mechanism and what is involved. More information is available. HTH

[delta1970]

Thank you very much for the information, I am starting to think that may my piece has a poorly fitted thumb latch, the aft part of the latch has a huge space between the bottom and the side plate, you can easily see the spring and the plastic piece. I think maybe I will send it to colt and let them try and fix it, since I am afraid to mess it up!

[A1A]

Not a bad choice. They should give it a good overall check and inspection too, and at the price you paid, you will still be well within the value of the gun.