Colt revolver frame size...

38Mike · July 19, 2001, 12:55 PM

Are the Colt Police Positive and Official Police MKIII revolvers built on the same size frame? Just wondering what the difference was, other than the shrouded ejection rod on the former...

Thanks for the info....

Mike M.

Daniel Watters · July 19, 2001, 02:21 PM

The Police Positive is a D-Frame, while the Official Police MkIII would be a J-Frame. (Non-MkIII Official Police would be an E-Frame.) The J and E frames are significantly larger than the D frame. Internally, the J-Frame series uses a coil mainspring instead of the V mainspring of the old style Colt revolvers like the D and E frames.

38Mike · July 20, 2001, 07:47 AM

Thanks Daniel,

There're a couple sharp looking Colt's on an auction site that've caught my eye...reason I asked, can I assume that the larger frame would be stronger, as in able to handle occasional +P diet?

Mike M.

Daniel Watters · July 20, 2001, 02:58 PM

The Colt J-Frame was used for the .357 Magnum Trooper MkIII and Lawman MkIII. .38 Special +P shouldn't be a problem for the Official Police MkIII. However, the older Colt D-Frames (non-shroud) probably would not be a good candidate for the +P loads.

July 19, 2001, 12:55 PM	#1
38Mike Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2000 Location: Wichita, Ks. Posts: 426	Colt revolver frame size... Are the Colt Police Positive and Official Police MKIII revolvers built on the same size frame? Just wondering what the difference was, other than the shrouded ejection rod on the former... Thanks for the info.... Mike M.

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July 19, 2001, 02:21 PM	#2
Daniel Watters Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 1999 Location: USA Posts: 644	The Police Positive is a D-Frame, while the Official Police MkIII would be a J-Frame. (Non-MkIII Official Police would be an E-Frame.) The J and E frames are significantly larger than the D frame. Internally, the J-Frame series uses a coil mainspring instead of the V mainspring of the old style Colt revolvers like the D and E frames.

July 20, 2001, 07:47 AM	#3
38Mike Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2000 Location: Wichita, Ks. Posts: 426	Thanks Daniel, There're a couple sharp looking Colt's on an auction site that've caught my eye...reason I asked, can I assume that the larger frame would be stronger, as in able to handle occasional +P diet? Mike M.

July 20, 2001, 02:58 PM	#4
Daniel Watters Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 1999 Location: USA Posts: 644	The Colt J-Frame was used for the .357 Magnum Trooper MkIII and Lawman MkIII. .38 Special +P shouldn't be a problem for the Official Police MkIII. However, the older Colt D-Frames (non-shroud) probably would not be a good candidate for the +P loads.