Just bought a Lawman MKIII. Now questions.

[steveracer]

I just got this gun on another forum, and want to get set up for it right away. It's a 2-inch Lawman in .357 Magnum. I have questions.

First: what speedloaders does it use?
Second: Where can I get boot grips for it?
Third: to customize or not? All my guns, with maybe one or two exceptions, have a tritium front sight. Will I be messing this revolver up by doing this, or are there enough of them out there that I can just do what I want?

Thanks in advance!
Steve

 

[steveracer]

OK, solved the grip question. I just got off the phone with a very nice gentleman at Badger Grips, who will be making a set of grips for me for this gun. It is highly refreshing to call a manufacturer, and he answers the phone, and helps you personally, and then tells you: "You'll have this in about a week"!!!!!
I will be using him for the forseable future for my revolver grip needs!!
Steve

 

[Steve C]

I believe your lawman is the same frame and cylinder as the Trooper MkIII. You can get HKs Speed loaders for it.

 

[rswartsell]

The HKS Speedloader you want is Model MK3-A, all Colt Mk III revolvers use it. Are you interested in selling the factory grips? I also own the same model Lawman and yours are nicer than mine.

 

[Frizzman]

I had a 2" nickle MkIII Lawman in the early to mid 80's. I had wanted a S&W 2.5" M19 but they were very hard to get at that time. So, I bought the Lawman when I saw it on the shelf in my favorite gun shop at the time. I couldn't find any aftermarket grips for it but I wound up carrying it in a Bianchi 9R Agent holster. Shooting .357 magnums in it was fairly exciting! I have some good memories of that gun and wish I had kept it (like a hundred other guns I have traded and sold off over the years). I would like to have another and the same shoulder rig with it. They made a classy outfit.

I agree that HKS speedloaders should be available but you may have to order some. I don't encounter those in shops much anymore. I used the same speedloaders for my Lawman and my Security Six. The Lawman is not a rare gun and they were not "premium" revolvers when they were made. Some customization, such as tritium in the front sight, is reasonable in my opinion. I am sure you will enjoy your new revolver

 

[rswartsell]

While not a "premium" Colt, it is an exceptionally strong (although pretty heavy) 2" revolver. The Mk III's also are not as likely to go out of timing, or require periodic maintenance like the older models. The Mk III's were a new design and manufacturing process that cut Colt's manufacturing costs, but remained a very high quality firearm. I have noticed recently prices for these models rising as with all Colt DA revolvers. To say that they are not collectible would be a small overstatement. If you choose to you can fire some pretty hot .357's from this revolver and it will remain pretty controllable and is plenty strong to handle them with no ill effects except the very loud report and flash associated with all 2" .357's.

If your purchase was for a tank strong snubby with a great prospect for durability and the ability to handle full house magnums, you sure got it right. The possibility of this arm to appreciate if left in original configuration should not be ignored, but it isn't a Python so I wouldn't expect to find that you threw a grand away in collector value if you mod it. Be aware that if you do modify it you have chosen a great shooter and have committed to forgo the collector market.

So how about selling me the old grips if you modify it?

 

[steveracer]

Thanks guys. Midway had the speedloaders, and I understand that K-frame leather fits it, and I have a 2.5" model 19, and it will hopefully fit those holsters. Really psyched about this one!!
Steve

 

[rswartsell]

I think I'd shoot for L frame leather, K frame might be too tight. Depending on the maker, you might have some stretching to do. The right holster for this can be a bit of a search as the frame size is the Colt "J" frame designation, rough equivalent of the Smith L frame (586/686) and 2" barrel Smith L frames are none too common. I found a Bianchi shoulder rig (which also fits K), here is the Midway listing with 0 currently in stock;
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=977888

 

[GeezerwithGuns]

Changing grips is probably a good idea. A friend of mine owns one of these along with a number of other Colt snubs and for some reason the MKIII, though quite heavy has a lot of recoil when shooting hot .357 loads. Most likely it had something to do with the "stock" checkered grips, but it was not what I would call pleasant to shoot. With .38's, however is was a real pussy cat, and quite accurate. Nice gun BTW.

 

[steveracer]

I got the grips from Badger within three days, which is, by itself, amazing. They are beautiful!! This gun looks fantastic, and the grips changed everything about the way the little heavy revolver feels. L-frame speedloaders are working pretty well, but the MK3 loader definitely fits better. The Lawman snubbie fits really nicely in 2.5" K-frame leather, and carries very well. 158 grain loads shoot to point of aim at 15 yards. All told, this will make an excellent carry gun!
Pics to follow.

 

[steveracer]

This is my gun with the new grips from Badger

Leather shown is Beltman belt, Galco FLETCH for K-frame S&W, and DeSantis ammo carriers. This has been a very comfortable setup for the last few days. All loaded up with 158 grain jacketed soft points.
Steve

 

[TurboJeff]

Those grips look very nice. I've got the same model Lawman MK III, but the finish is not quite as nice as yours. I'm going to keep the original grips on mine. It's a very heavy gun for a snubby, but that makes it really easy to shoot.

I like that Galco Fletch you got for it. I need a good OWB holster for mine.

 

[Coltdude84]

Very Nice Lawmn

Congrats on your Purchase! I have one just like and it is one of the revolvers I would never part with out of my collection. IMO I would leave the gun stock , the value of these guns are going up and are becoming quite rare. BTW Like the grips thinking about getting a pair for mine now....

 

[rscalzo]

We had a few of our guys who purchased the Trooper Meiji's back in the mid W's. Several had problems with the trigger literally disintegrating. might be worth checking.

 

[Walkalong]

Beautiful. Those are on my want list. Very nice example you have there.

 

[notorious]

Beautiful gun. Always loved the look of a medium framed snubby.

 

[Gordon]

Just don't dry fire it. It will be almost unrepairable. Get snap caps to cushion the unobtainium firing pin!

 

[Guillermo]

beautiful...simply beautiful