Lawman Mk III vs Colt .357?

[Ash]

I have a chance to get a Colt Lawman Mk III in Nickel or a Colt .357 in blue for $50 less. Both are in equal condition. I own a Trooper Mk III so I am familiar with the Mk III lockwork. I also know the .357 was supposed to be Colt's top-end revolver, over the original Trooper, and with the addition of a rib and full lug became the Python.

Which would you get?

 

[osteodoc08]

Personally I have a soft spot for wood and blued be it revolvers or long guns.

 

[ghitch75]

i like both nickel and blued.....Lawman's....

 

[ColtPythonElite]

357...

 

[Ash]

What makes the .357 better?

 

[rswartsell]

You are talking about two completely different actions here. The .357 was introduced in 1953 as a premium revolver to compete with the Smith & Wesson N frame that would later be designated the Model 27. The Python wasn't introduced until 1955. The action of the .357 has far more in common with the Python than any Mk III does. It is sometimes referred to as the "Pre-Python". You might find this good or bad, most find it good. The hand fitted action of the "Python" type is renowned for smooth operation, particularly in double action. They took skilled craftsmen to hand produce.

The Mk III series came along about 1969, and redesigned the action to preclude the need for a hand craftsman's attention in assembly. This is also the handgun series that introduced MIM parts. These changes were predominantly for cost cutting, but also resulted in a revolver that while less refined is also less dependent on periodic maintenance or "tuning".

The Lawman Mk III is intended for the police-duty market and blue collar budgets, the .357 was intended for the premium market where price of purchase was less important. All things equal they cost more new and for good reason.

I like Mk IIIs just fine but would be all over that .357 if good condition and fair price. The fact that he is asking $50.00 less does make me a little nervous. If there is something functionally wrong with the .357 it will be much harder to get fixed.

 

[Old Fuff]

The most important question that needs to be answere before discussing guns is, "What are you going to use whatever you get, for?" The end use should dictate the choice, and as it is you are finding out the poster's personal choice for themselves; rather then what would be best for you.

 

[Ash]

I know the differences between them in concept, and that the original Trooper was the same as the .357 except in finish (also that the .357 evolved into the Python). The revolvers are both in equal (and excellent) condition and lock up fine (I did the revolver check on both of them). I have a Ruger Police Service Six and am interested in a second revolver. It would be for riding on the hip while at the farm (but not for crawling around the swamp like the Ruger is).

Ash

 

[clang]

I own both (or at least almost - I have a Lawman MkIII). The 357 is a much finer revolver, but the MkIII is probably the more robust gun.

The 357 has the traditional Colt lock work. As long as it is in proper timing, it is a fantastic gun - I actually sold off my Python, but kept my 357. The problem is, if you need work done on the gun, it should go back to Colt because there are very few gunsmiths that have an inkling on how to properly time a Colt double action revolver anymore. And although I never had a Colt go out of timing, I don't shoot any of mine that much. I've also seen quite a few old Colts that did have screwed up timing, so it has to happen to somebody.

The MkIII was Colts attempt to reduce labor costs and eliminate the specialists needed to assemble their revolvers. The King Cobra is the top of the line version of the MkIII action. These guns have been shown to be quite robust over the years. They do not have the "bank vault" lockup of earlier Colts, which is probably why they did not catch on so well when they first came out (the rise of Wonder 9s also had something to do with it). There have been some complaints of broken firing pins from dry firing, so I would consider that a no-no.

 

[792mauser]

I have a mkiii 4" nickel and a 6" 357 blued.
The obvious answer is both. But for longevity's sake I would choose the mkiii

 

[Ash]

The only negative on the Mk III's that I know of is the firing pin, which can break and does require a trip back to Colt for repair. While they require less fitting than a Python, they do require fitting - parts are not a drop-in fit. Even so, the .357 is quite a nice revolver too. I don't shoot enough to make something go out of time and have a set of .357 snap caps. I have a rough-and-tumble revolver already, so I might lean towards the .357, if nothing else because it has adjustable sights. Still, I own a Trooper Mk III and it is a fine revolver. Decisions, decisions.

 

[Dr_B]

Wow, being in a position to buy either one Colt or the other? That's a champagne problem if I've ever seen one!

 

[harvester]

They only made 15000 of the Three Fifty Seven if that helps.

 

[bannockburn]

I have always been a big fan of the MK.III and the MK.V so I voted for the MK.III. Nothing against the Three Fifty Seven model; just my own personal preference to how these particular guns felt and balanced in my hand.