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Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Colt Trooper is a medium frame, double-action revolver featuring a six-round cylinder chambered for a .22 Long Rifle, .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, .38 Special, and .357 Magnum caliber cartridges. Designed as a less expensive alternative to the upscale Colt .357 and the later Colt Python and Colt King Cobra, it was marketed to law enforcement agencies as well as civilians. In the late 1960s, Colt began to be concerned with a decline in its market …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: Smith & Wesson’s dominance in the .357 Mag. market changed forever in 1955; however, when Colt introduced its first revolver chambered in .357 Mag.: the Python. By all accounts, Colt executives also considered this to be the finest revolver the company produced at the time. No expense was spared in the manufacturing process, from the revolver’s timing and lock-up to its Royal Blue finish, this would be the pinnacle of Colt’s manufacturing prowe …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Lawman revolver featured a fixed sight design and was initially equipped with a narrow, grooved Service-type hammer and trigger. Later models adopted the wider Target hammer used on the Trooper Mark III. The grips originally were narrow Service grips, but later versions often came with Target grips. Nickel and Coltguard-finished models were paired with Pachmayr "Signature" rubber grips, which featured Colt medallions. It was available with 4-inch and 2-inch heav …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Smith & Wesson Model 27 is a six-shot, double-action revolver chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge and manufactured by the United States company Smith & Wesson. It was the first purpose-built revolver to fire the .357 Magnum cartridge. Designed in 1935, it was commonly called the "Registered Magnum." The Model 27 replaced the Registered Magnum in 1939, which was the Registered Magnum but was standardized for eco …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Smith & Wesson Model 686 is a six or seven-shot double-action revolver manufactured by Smith & Wesson and chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge; it will also chamber and fire .38 Special cartridges. Smith & Wesson introduced the Model 686 in 1981 and has been a staple among Collectors and Shooting Enthusiasts ever since. The 686 has been available with 2.5,3,4,5,6,7 and 8 in barrel lengths as standard models and other barrel lengths either by special or …