Colt Lawman Mk III

Colt's Manufacturing Company · Pistol · Discontinued · 1969

Also known as: Lawman MK III, Lawman Mark III

Overview

The Colt Lawman Mk III is a double-action .357 Magnum service revolver introduced in 1969 as an economical police and security duty gun built on Colt's coil-spring Mk III action. Effectively a 'service grade' sibling of the Colt Trooper Mk III, it carried fixed sights, no ejector-rod shroud, and a six-shot swing-out cylinder that also fires .38 Special. It was offered primarily with 2-inch and 4-inch barrels and remained in the catalog until 1983.

Specifications

Weight (empty)	964 g (34.0 oz)
Overall Length	232 mm (9.13")
Barrel Length	102 mm (4.02")
Action Type	Double Action
Firing Mechanism	Double Action Single Action
Trigger Type	Double Action
Magazine Capacity	6 rounds
Magazine Type	Internal
Muzzle Velocity	440 m/s (1444 fps)
Muzzle Energy	784 J (578 ft·lbf)
Effective Range	50 m (55 yd)
Barrel Rifling	Right Hand
Number of Grooves	6
Frame Material	Steel
Barrel Material	Steel
Stock Material	Wood
Finish	Blued

Calibers

.357 Magnum · primary — also known as .357 Mag, .357 S&W Magnum, 9x33mmR

Features

Firing modes: Repeating
Feed systems: Six Round Swing Out Cylinder
Safety mechanisms: Transfer Bar, Rebound Hammer
Features: Swing Out Cylinder, Fixed Sights, No Ejector Rod Shroud, Service Grade

Service history

Operators

United States police departments

Production

Production years: 1969-1983

Marketed as a budget police-duty companion to the Trooper Mk III

Origin

Country of origin: United States

Discontinued: 1983

Notes

Part of Colt's Mk III lineup that replaced the older hand-fitted lockwork with more economical coil-spring, investment-cast parts for easier mass production and maintenance.

Background

Colt's Mk III action ditched the company's century-old hand-fitted leaf-spring lockwork for coil springs and sintered, investment-cast parts, making the Lawman one of the first truly mass-producible Colt double-action revolvers.