evan price
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As title.. Is there any real difference between the short lived Magnum Carry and the Lawman MK III 2" snub? Besides.cosmetics I mean.
Colt folks- magnum carry vs lawman mk 3 2"- any real difference?
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The grip is different.
The Lawman Mk III .357 was built on a J-Frame (medium). The Magnum Carry was built on a SF-VI frame which was similar to the D-Frame (small). The parts/grips are not interchangeable.
The Lawman Mk III .357 was made for 14 years (1969-83), and the Magnum Carry was made for 2.
The Lawman Mk III .357 was built on a J-Frame (medium). The Magnum Carry was built on a SF-VI frame which was similar to the D-Frame (small). The parts/grips are not interchangeable.
The Lawman Mk III .357 was made for 14 years (1969-83), and the Magnum Carry was made for 2.
dfariswheel
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Also the action was slightly different.
The Mark III used a coil main spring to power the hammer.
The "SF" frame models like the Magnum Carry had a rather throw-back main spring system.
The "SF" models used the same "Vee" spring as used in the old "D" frame guns, except the spring only powered the hammer, not the entire action like the old "D" guns.
The upper "leg" of the Vee spring powers the hammer, the lower leg just rests on a support in the lower frame.
I assume that Colt did this to prevent having to do a major redesign of the frame to provide a seat for a coil spring.
In any case, it gave the "SF" guns a very nice trigger pull.
The Mark III used a coil main spring to power the hammer.
The "SF" frame models like the Magnum Carry had a rather throw-back main spring system.
The "SF" models used the same "Vee" spring as used in the old "D" frame guns, except the spring only powered the hammer, not the entire action like the old "D" guns.
The upper "leg" of the Vee spring powers the hammer, the lower leg just rests on a support in the lower frame.
I assume that Colt did this to prevent having to do a major redesign of the frame to provide a seat for a coil spring.
In any case, it gave the "SF" guns a very nice trigger pull.
When you get it what are you going to use it for?
The Magnum Carry is smaller, lighter, and has a cult following. Prices are usually high and will likely go higher.
On the negative side, it's an unplesent shooter if you load it with .357 ammunition and parts as well as qualified gunsmiths can be difficult to find.
If "magnum power" is the name of your game the Lawman Mk III is a better choice. Bigger, heavier and built like a tank. People to service it are easier to find, but replacement parts are not.
The Magnum Carry is smaller, lighter, and has a cult following. Prices are usually high and will likely go higher.
On the negative side, it's an unplesent shooter if you load it with .357 ammunition and parts as well as qualified gunsmiths can be difficult to find.
If "magnum power" is the name of your game the Lawman Mk III is a better choice. Bigger, heavier and built like a tank. People to service it are easier to find, but replacement parts are not.
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evan price
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Actually, I was curious. I picked up a Lawman Mk III 2" 357 last week; While cleaning and getting better acquainted with it I measured it against my S&W M66 2.5" and then recalled the Magnum Carry, and wondered if there were any difference between the LM3 and the Mag Carry- having never actually had the opportunity to fondle a Magnum Carry in real life.
The Lawman MkIII as expected is quite similar to my King Cobra with regard to the action feel, coil-spring mainspring, bulk, weight, etc. The King Cobra has a few more parts in the sideplate iirc (I took my KC apart once and that will be it!) and Colts in general have more springs inside them than a Smith.
I read that the hammer & trigger of the LM3 were MIM, however mine are case-colored like a nice old S&W, which seems odd since I was under the belief that MIM can't be color-case-hardened.
The Lawman MkIII as expected is quite similar to my King Cobra with regard to the action feel, coil-spring mainspring, bulk, weight, etc. The King Cobra has a few more parts in the sideplate iirc (I took my KC apart once and that will be it!) and Colts in general have more springs inside them than a Smith.
I read that the hammer & trigger of the LM3 were MIM, however mine are case-colored like a nice old S&W, which seems odd since I was under the belief that MIM can't be color-case-hardened.
dfariswheel
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The hammer, trigger and most internal parts of the Mark III were made of "sintered steel" which is an earlier form of MIM.
It can be color case hardened.
The later Colt's like the Mark V and King Cobra used cast steel hammers and triggers, but still used sintered steel for other internal parts.
I "think" that MIM can be color case hardened, but the S&W hammers I've seen have a rather dull gray base color with some rather sparse faint dark gray mottling. It doesn't have the brilliant colors of the old forged parts.
It can be color case hardened.
The later Colt's like the Mark V and King Cobra used cast steel hammers and triggers, but still used sintered steel for other internal parts.
I "think" that MIM can be color case hardened, but the S&W hammers I've seen have a rather dull gray base color with some rather sparse faint dark gray mottling. It doesn't have the brilliant colors of the old forged parts.
VA27
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First, congratulations! The Lawman snub is on my list of guns to get. The Lawman is about the same size as a Smith 686 (L-frame) and the Magnum Carry is closer (slightly larger) to a Smith 60 (J-frame) and is basically a re engineered Detective Special.
Deaf Smith
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I also think the Lawman was heavier then the DS Magnum Carry.
Significantly heavier.
Deaf
Significantly heavier.
Deaf
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evan price
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With regard to weight, I weighed both the Lawman Mk3 2" and my S&W 66 no-dash 2.5" on my postal scale. The Colt has its original grips, the S&W has a set of custom wooden grips that are a little bigger than the banana grips Smith was using but still round-butt.
It was a surprise to me that they were both the exact same weight, to the 0.10 of an ounce accuracy of my scale. That surprised me because the Colt sure felt heavier and the cylinder is obviously larger diameter.
It was a surprise to me that they were both the exact same weight, to the 0.10 of an ounce accuracy of my scale. That surprised me because the Colt sure felt heavier and the cylinder is obviously larger diameter.
Deaf Smith
Member
But what about the Colt Magnum Carry.
I understand the Colt Magnum Carry weighted 1.31 lb (about 22 oz.)
Deaf
I understand the Colt Magnum Carry weighted 1.31 lb (about 22 oz.)
Deaf
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evan price
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I dont own a magnum carry to weigh and never even seen one in real life. Someday.
I own a Lawman Mk3 and an SF-VI, I've never weighed them, but the Lawman feels significantly heavier.
From what I remember of the one Magnum Carry I handled, it was about the same weight as the SF-VI.
As said before:
- Lawman is about the same as a S&W 686/L frame
- Magnum Carry is similar to Det Special, somewhere between a S&W K frame (Model 10) and J Frame (Model 36/60).
From what I remember of the one Magnum Carry I handled, it was about the same weight as the SF-VI.
As said before:
- Lawman is about the same as a S&W 686/L frame
- Magnum Carry is similar to Det Special, somewhere between a S&W K frame (Model 10) and J Frame (Model 36/60).
Once upon a time, long, long ago... 
There was a fair-sized city police department that armed they're detective division with .357 S&W model 19 revolvers with the 2 1/2" barrel.
On duty they carried .357 Magnum cartridges, but qualified using .38 Specials.
Then came an order that said thereafter they would have to qualify with the ammunition they carried. Those that didn't would be placed on desk duty.
Two weeks later the detective division commander informed the chief that 2/3 of his personal were now working at a desk.
In many ways the .357 Magnum is a fine cartridge, but when matched with a lightweight snubby it can have some issues.
This is not to say that some can't handle such a platform/cartridge combination, but you'd better know what you can or can't do before spending a lot of money.
There was a fair-sized city police department that armed they're detective division with .357 S&W model 19 revolvers with the 2 1/2" barrel.
On duty they carried .357 Magnum cartridges, but qualified using .38 Specials.
Then came an order that said thereafter they would have to qualify with the ammunition they carried. Those that didn't would be placed on desk duty.
Two weeks later the detective division commander informed the chief that 2/3 of his personal were now working at a desk.
In many ways the .357 Magnum is a fine cartridge, but when matched with a lightweight snubby it can have some issues.
This is not to say that some can't handle such a platform/cartridge combination, but you'd better know what you can or can't do before spending a lot of money.
Deaf Smith
Member
Dunno about that..
http://ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html
http://ballisticsbytheinch.com/38special.html
Deaf
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