I finally got my hands on a colt lawman mk iii 2 inch last weekend, and honestly, it's a lot more gun than I expected. If you've spent any time looking at vintage revolvers, you know the name Colt carries a certain weight, but the Lawman series often sits in the shadow of the more famous (and way more expensive) Python. That's a shame, because this little snub-nose is a absolute tank of a firearm. It doesn't have the fancy vented rib or the hand-tuned action of its high-end siblings, but it has a rugged, "get the job done" vibe that I've really come to appreciate.
A Different Kind of Colt
When most people think of a Colt revolver from the late 60s or 70s, they think of intricate clockwork and master gunsmiths hand-fitting every tiny part. The colt lawman mk iii 2 inch was part of a major shift for the company. Back in 1969, Colt realized they needed to modernize their manufacturing if they wanted to keep up with Smith & Wesson. They introduced the MK III series, which used a completely different internal design.
Instead of those hand-fitted parts that require a wizard to repair, they went with a transfer bar safety system and more "drop-in" parts made from sintered steel. Purists at the time probably turned their noses up at it, but let's be real—it made for a much stronger, more durable gun. You can feel that durability the second you pick it up. It's dense. It feels like you could use it as a hammer if you ran out of ammo, though I definitely wouldn't recommend it.
The Snub-Nose Experience
The 2-inch barrel on this specific Lawman is what makes it so interesting. Usually, the Lawman was seen with a 4-inch barrel as a standard duty sidearm for police officers who didn't need the bells and whistles of the Trooper MK III. But the colt lawman mk iii 2 inch was the "detective" version. It was meant to be concealed under a suit jacket or tucked into a waistband.
However, calling it a "snubbie" feels a bit misleading if you're used to something like a Smith & Wesson J-frame or a Ruger LCR. This thing is built on Colt's "J" frame (not to be confused with S&W's J-frame), which is significantly beefier. It's a six-shot .357 Magnum. Carrying this all day requires a solid belt, because it's got some serious heft to it. But that weight is exactly what you want when you start pulling the trigger.
Range Time and Recoil
Shooting .357 Magnum out of a short barrel is usually a recipe for sore wrists and a bit of a flinch. I took the colt lawman mk iii 2 inch to the range with a box of standard .38 Specials and some spicy 158-grain .357 loads.
With the .38s, it's a pussycat. The weight of the steel frame soaks up almost all the recoil, and it's incredibly pleasant to shoot. You could spend all afternoon plinking with it. But when you switch over to the Magnums, you definitely know you're alive. There's a massive fireball from that 2-inch barrel, and the noise is enough to make everyone else at the range stop and look over.
The surprising part? It's actually manageable. Because the Lawman is built so tough, it doesn't feel like it's trying to jump out of your hand as much as a lighter alloy-framed revolver would. The fixed sights are low-profile and snag-free, which is great for a carry gun, though they do take a bit of getting used to if you're coming from modern adjustable sights. I found that at seven to ten yards, I could keep everything in a tight group without much effort.
That Classic Aesthetic
There is something about the look of a colt lawman mk iii 2 inch that just screams "1970s gritty cop movie." Most of these came with a deep, rich blue finish that Colt was famous for. Even though the MK III was their "budget-friendly" line back then, the bluing is often better than what you see on high-end guns today.
The grips are another story. A lot of these come with the classic checkered walnut grips. They look fantastic, but they can be a bit thin if you have large hands. I've seen some people swap them out for Pachmayr rubber grips, which definitely helps with the recoil of the .357 rounds, but man, you lose a lot of that vintage charm. If I'm carrying this thing, I want those wood grips. It just completes the look.
Why It's a Sleeper Hit
For a long time, collectors ignored the Lawman because of those sintered steel internal parts I mentioned earlier. People thought they weren't "real" Colts. But over the last decade, that's changed. People are starting to realize that the colt lawman mk iii 2 inch is actually one of the most robust revolvers Colt ever made.
It's a "working man's" gun. It doesn't have the fragile timing issues that the older Colts sometimes suffered from. It's built to be shot, carried, and used hard. If you find one today, it's likely still in great mechanical shape because they were just built so over-engineered for their size.
Finding One Today
Hunting down a colt lawman mk iii 2 inch in the wild isn't as easy as it used to be. Prices have definitely started to climb as people get priced out of the Python and Diamondback markets. You'll see them pop up at gun shows or on auction sites, often with a bit of holster wear on the muzzle, which honestly just adds character in my opinion.
If you're looking to buy one, check the lockup and the timing, just like you would with any vintage wheelgun. But generally, these things are tanks. Look for one with the original finish if you can, though a little bit of "honest wear" means you won't feel guilty actually taking it out to the woods or the range.
Final Thoughts
Is the colt lawman mk iii 2 inch the perfect concealed carry gun for 2024? Probably not. It's heavy, it's thick, and it only holds six rounds. A modern polymer 9mm is objectively "better" on paper. But if you're like me and you appreciate the soul of an all-steel revolver, there's nothing quite like it.
There's a sense of confidence you get from holding a gun that feels this solid. It's a piece of history that you can still rely on. Whether you're a collector or just someone who wants a snub-nose with a bit more "oomph" than a standard .38, the Lawman MK III is a fantastic choice. It might not be the flashiest Colt in the cabinet, but it's probably the one that will still be ticking a hundred years from now. Plus, let's be honest, it just looks cool. And sometimes, that's more than enough reason to own one.