Used Colt Lawman MKIII .357 Magnum Revolver 2″ Black (95% Condition)

Colt Lawman MKIII .357 Magnum Revolver — 2″ Barrel, Black Finish

Every Colt tells a story, and this Colt Lawman Revolver carries the legacy of one of the most respected names in American firearms manufacturing. Built by Colt as part of the MKIII product line, the Lawman was developed as a rugged, no-frills Colt revolver aimed at law enforcement professionals and civilian shooters who wanted Colt reliability without paying for extra polish. This example is offered here in used condition and rated at 95%.

Why You’ll Love This Colt Lawman Revolver

• Genuine Colt MKIII engineering — the same platform underneath Colt’s higher-end Trooper
• Dual-caliber versatility: shoots full-power .357 Magnum or economical .38 Special from the same cylinder
• Compact 2″ barrel — one of only two lengths Colt ever offered on the Lawman
• Transfer-bar safety system, ahead of its time when the MKIII line launched in 1969
• 95% condition rating — presents very close to new, with only light, honest handling wear

History and Platform

The MKIII series marked a turning point for Colt, introduced in 1969 to modernize the company’s revolver manufacturing while keeping the hand-fitted feel Colt shooters expect. This Colt Revolver operates on Colt’s MKIII “J” frame platform, a medium-frame design that replaced Colt’s earlier, more labor-intensive lockwork. Every MKIII Colt Revolver, including this Lawman, uses a transfer-bar firing system, meaning the revolver can only discharge when the trigger is fully and deliberately pulled to the rear. Colt also upgraded the internal springs on the MKIII line to coiled, corrosion-resistant stainless steel, a detail that carries directly into the smooth double-action feel of this revolver today. Choosing a Colt Lawman Revolver from this era means owning a firearm that reflects a genuine shift in Colt engineering — and a well-kept MKIII like this one is increasingly hard to find in this kind of condition.

Features Explained

Chambering: Chambered in .357 Magnum, this revolver also accepts .38 Special ammunition, giving shooters flexibility between full-power magnum loads and lighter, more economical range ammunition. That dual-caliber capability has always been part of what makes a Colt Lawman Revolver such a practical choice.

Frame, Finish, and Cylinder: This Colt Lawman Revolver wears its factory black finish over Colt’s forged carbon steel MKIII frame, giving it a clean, purposeful look that has aged well. The six-round cylinder is built for smooth double-action cycling, and the finish shows the light, honest handling wear you’d expect from a well-maintained example rated at 95% condition.

Barrel and Sights: This revolver is fitted with Colt’s factory 2″ heavy barrel, one of only two barrel lengths ever offered on the Lawman, making this compact configuration one of the more carry-friendly setups in the lineup. Fixed sights round out the package, keeping this revolver simple, rugged, and true to its original service-oriented design.

Grips and Trigger: Factory wood service grips complete the classic look of this Colt Lawman Revolver, staying true to the original configuration Colt shipped on many Lawman-pattern revolvers. In double-action mode, a single trigger pull both cocks and releases the hammer, while manual cocking for single-action fire remains available for more deliberate, precise shooting.

Specifications

Included With This Firearm

This listing includes the Colt Lawman MKIII Revolver as described. No case, box, papers, or additional accessories were noted with this example — please confirm with the physical item before publishing.

Best For

This Colt Lawman Revolver suits collectors looking to add an original Colt MKIII to their safe, as well as shooters who want a dependable, dual-caliber .357 Magnum revolver for the range. Its compact 2″ barrel also makes it a practical choice for anyone who wants genuine Colt engineering in an easy-to-carry package.

The Tar River Arms Take

Don’t let the “Lawman” name fool you into thinking this is a stripped-down Colt. It’s built on the same MKIII platform as Colt’s higher-end Trooper, sharing the same transfer-bar safety, the same coil-spring internals, and the same forged steel frame. You’re getting genuine MKIII engineering in a more affordable, duty-focused package — and at 95% condition, this one presents about as close to new as a vintage Colt revolver gets. If you’ve been searching for a Colt Revolver with real provenance rather than a reproduction or a budget alternative, this is worth a close look before it’s gone.

Why These Features Matter

The transfer-bar safety matters because it means the revolver can only fire when the trigger is fully and deliberately pulled to the rear, adding a genuine layer of protection against accidental discharge from a dropped firearm — a meaningful upgrade over Colt’s earlier lockwork.

Dual-caliber chambering in .357 Magnum and .38 Special matters because it lets one revolver cover two roles: full-power magnum loads for hunting or defensive practice, and lighter, cheaper .38 Special for high-volume range sessions, without buying a second gun.

The 2″ barrel matters because it’s one of only two lengths Colt offered on the Lawman, making this a genuinely compact, carry-friendly configuration rather than the more common duty-length barrel — a detail collectors specifically look for.

Shipping & FFL Information

As required by federal law, this Colt Revolver will ship to a licensed FFL for transfer. The buyer completes a Form 4473 and background check in person at the receiving FFL before taking possession. As with any used firearm, we recommend having a qualified gunsmith inspect this revolver before firing, since prior maintenance and firing history cannot be fully confirmed through visual inspection alone.