Colt MKIII lawman 2" vs S&W

[jasnake65]

I Never handled one and was wondering what frame size is this to a Smith. I know its a .357 but what size smith 357 or a 38? Is this like a J size or K frame. Has anyone shot both and what Smith did you shoot? I have some K frames 2 1/2's and would like to expand my collection.
Im looking at a 65 or maybe a 64 which I thought the deal fell thru but it might not have after all

 

[cjw3]

I had a Lawman MK III back in the 80's for a while. It is on Colt's ".41" or medium frame, but it seemed chunkier than a K frame to me, maybe because of the heavy barrel. I had a 2 1/2" Model 66 later on and preferred it to the Colt, but maybe that's just me.

 

[Erich]

It's chunkier than an L-frame, but not as chunky as an N-frame.

 

[pj151]

The lawman is more like an L or N frame. I don't have a pic of them both side by side but here's one with a 5" government 1911.

 

[dozer]

Have the 2 inch Lawman,S&W 66 and 686 in 2.5.Would say the frame size is between the two.The trigger pull and return on the Colt is a little stiff compared to the Smiths but its heavy built like them.Only problem with the Colt Mark III is no variety on grips,it has a rare grip frame for the 2 inch model only.
Stock with t-grip

Custom by Badger

 

[Scary Gary]

What happened to that 1911 ?

 

[j38]

Here's an odd observation; I used to own a 2" Lawman and found it to be accurate but noticeably louder than my 2 1/2" Model 19 ??? I have no idea why. The 19 was just as accurate by the way. I sold the Lawman as I liked the feel of the 19 better. I agree that it seems to be sized between the K and L frame S&Ws.

Jerry

 

[Sauron1959]

I had a 2" Lawman back in the 80s, and traded it in on something in the 90s. Should've kept it.

Back then, they claimed that is was the smallest production 357 revolver on the market. Don't know about that, but it's close in size to my Model 66 2.5 incher.

Single action was fine, but the double action pull was hard. Learned to "stage" the double action pull, and got pretty good with it.

It should fit in most K frame 2.5" barrel, holsters.

Endeavor to Persevere

Dave

 

[Buford57]

I carried one as my BUG in uniform and my primary as a detective before and after dallying with a 39-2 and a 469. I always came back to it because it was the nicest handling snub of any caliber I have ever owned. Perceived recoil and muzzle flip were less in this revolver than in the 2.5 in. 19s and 66s my friends carried. Despite the scarcity of grip options, the shape seemed to fit my hand perfectly, once I added a t-grip.

Mine was an engagement gift from my wife. Still have it and her almost 30 years later.

 

[pj151]

What happened to that 1911 ?

That 1911 is actually a very interesting one. It's part of a Colt made .455 webley chambered 1911 for the Royal Air Force in WWI Circa 1918 or thereabouts. One of about 10k that went overseas. If you squint you can see the right slide marked .455 and the serial number started with a W.

My particular example was refinished in nickel and had the military stamps ground off. No collector value now but it did have the original .455 mag. interesting history though. If it was in original finish with stamps present, it's a $4k+ gun.

 

[bigun]

It's chunkier than an L-frame, but not as chunky as an N-frame.

1)Erich has it right-as the 2" Lawman MK III is built on the Colt Trooper MK III "J" frame, which is a .41 Mag. sized frame:

2)As you can see in the following photo's, my 2" Lawman MK III is considerably larger than my Model 66-2 snubbie. The Lawman MK III is just so sleek looking, that it appears smaller than it really is:

3)In these next photo's, you can see that My Lawman MK III has the same size frame and cylinder(Except for the smaller grip frame)as my King Cobra-which has the same size frame as the Trooper MK III(Although, an updated version)::

 

[jasnake65]

Thanks for all the replys, I do have a 4" King Cobra and a 66-1. Hows does the MK do against the 66?

 

[Frizzman]

I bought a new, nickeled Lawman MK III, 2" in 1980. I used it for an off duty weapon and wore it on desk duty. It had lots of blast when fired and the grips weren't very comfortable. I put a polished T Grip on it and carried it in a Bianchi Agent shoulder holster. I really wanted a 66 snub when I got the Colt but the 66 snubs were hard to get at the time. I have since had several 66's and another Lawman. I find the 66 to be smoother and it has more options for the grip. I also like the sights on the 66 better. The Colt is bigger and will probably stand up to a steady diet of magnum ammo better than the K frame Smith. All things considered, I prefer the Combat Magnum to the Lawman.

 

[dan belisle]

"It is on Colt's ".41" or medium frame"

Actually they were built on the Mk III frame, a new coil spring design for Colt at that time. The 41 or Medium frame Colt is the Python or original Trooper (originally the Official Police frame, slightly modified, I believe). I like the Lawman, they are scarce up here, I've only seen a few in the last thrity years or so. - dan

 

[safearm]

I had a 2" Lawman just like pj's; nickel, but with black composite grips, possibly Rogers. It was a great gun when worn on a belt holster, like during desk duty, but was too heavy IMO for off-duty or BUG carry. The frame was larger than a K-frame, and when given the opportunity to trade for a Model 66 2 1/2 inch, away it went. I still have a nickel Detective Special that was a much better gun than the Lawman.