Surplus Collectible

The Colt Trooper was made from 1953 to 1969. The Trooper Mark III superceded the Trooper and had a redesigned lock mechanism. It was manufactured from 1969 to 1983 in blue and nickel finish with 4-, 6-, and 8-inch barrel lengths. An owner's manual can be obtained by calling Colt at (800) 962-2658. The Trooper III in our test was made in 1974.

The Colt Trooper Mark III is for all practical purposes the working man's Python. Sound good? It features a serrated front sight pinned in place. The rear sight is fully adjustable, and it should be more durable than similar designs since the rear notch moves back and forth inside a protective frame. While adjustment for elevation is clockwise for down and counter-clockwise for up, the windage adjustment is reversed. Turn it to the right if you want the point of impact to move left, and turn left to bring the POI to the right.

Another feature is the direction in which the cylinder rotates. While other revolvers move counterclockwise, expecting a Colt to go bang requires the first round to be in the 11 o'clock position prior to cycling. Also, to release the cylinder one pulls rather than pushes on the latch.

Lew Horton Distributing Co. has its first runs of a special Kahr CW9 with three 24kt-gold engraved messages and icons that will appeal to 2nd Amendment defenders.

Don't give up if a replacement firing pin is unavailable from your catalog suppliers. Instead, use these tips to solve the problem.

Through May 31, 2014, American Tactical is offering a $50 rebate on the purchase of a new GSG STG-44. The rimfire recreation of the Schmeisser STG-44 Carbine has a 16.25-inch-long blued barrel, a wood stock, and magazine capacities of either 10 or 16 rounds. It lists for $600.

GunReports.com relays information from Gunsmithing the Rifle about the much-praised and oft-maligned AR-15 rifle. An early model was dressed in green, and still had an Armalite logo on the side of the lower receiver. The ammunition designation was not 5.56mm, but the familiar .223 as manufactured by Remington. It was the summer of 1962.

Pressed into service more than 50 years ago, the M1 Carbine is coming home again and often needs a gunsmith's attention.

(GunReports.com) — Turnbull Manufacturing Company, the iconic restorer of vintage rifles and shotguns, has very recently aimed their manufacturing and design skills to the production of high-quality handguns and this first Deluxe Model of their new 1911Classic — featuring Serial Number 1911001 — has been selected as the 2014 SHOT Show Auction handgun. …

Gun Tests finds out about common problems and common solutions for the most common military-style bolt action in the world. Adapted from the American Gunsmith Library.

We tested three single-action revolvers suitable for Cowboy Action shooting in an August 2012 showdown. All chambered in the most common CAS competition caliber, 357 Magnum, the choices were the Ruger New Vaquero NV-34 No. 5107, $719; the Heritage Manufacturing Big Bore Rough Rider RR357CH4, $500; and Cimarron's Evil Roy No. ER4104, $770.

Gun Tests magazine tested two rifles in a May 2013 showdown of lever actions. They were the Mossberg Model 464 XMB Lever Action No. 41026 30-30 Win., $535; and the Winchester Model 1895 Lever Action Carbine 30-40 Krag, $1000-$1500.

Stag Arms, one of the nation's largest AR-15 manufacturers, is offering certain rifles and parts in pink to raise funds and increase awareness for the National Breast Cancer Foundation through the end of October.

Three handguns recently tested in Gun Tests magazine are now listed for auction on GunBroker.com by the FFL owner, Winkle’s Great Guns of Houston, Texas.