Questions about a Lawman Mk III

[georgepittenger]

I recently acquired a nice Colt Lawman III snubby and have some
questions . I'm pretty new to Colt revolvers ......

The serial # is 03686 U , so that would make in a 1981 DOB , correct ?

The trigger seems to have a good bit of travel ( takeup , like a semi ) before any actual action happens .
Is that normal ?

I read somewhere that dry-firing the MK III was not a good idea , that the firing pin could be damaged .
True ? I thought pretty much all modern center fire pistols could be dry fired without damage .

A few pics , w one also showing my Detective Special .

DSCN4914.jpgDSCN4913.jpgDSCN4910.jpg


Thanks for any insight and comments .

Regards ,
George

[smkummer]

The MK III is a very different action than the detective special you have it next to. If in single action the bolt locks into the cylinder notch before the hammer locks in the full cock notch, then its fine. Also, in double action if the bolt locks into the cylinder notch before the hammer drops, then its fine. Colt originally advertized 20,000 rounds fired and 250,000 dry snaps in prototypes. So while I would consider fine for dry firing, it requires a trip to Colt or someone with special tools to change the firing pin. Now days thats over $50 shipping both ways plus parts and labor. So its your call on dry firing.

[A1A]

You are correct on the year of manufacture.

Within this thread are timing checks for both the old and new style Colt actions. Colt Revolver Timing Checks.

Dry firing a MkIII and other later models with essentially the same firing pin design is generally not recommended without snap caps. As stated, firing pin service is not DIY.

[Hatman1793]

Wish I still had my Lawman MK3! Mine had the two inch barrel and I could hit a gong at a hundred yards with the right load. While it was a bit heavy, it would make a great CCW gun, plus it fired .357mag rounds. I switched out the factory small wood grips for a set of rubber ones. Add six .357mag 125grain JHP's for effect...