I have had an ever growing itch to locate a decent manurhin mr 73. Since all of my handguns are 357, I think it is the only logical capstone, I was thinking Freedom arms 383... but I never shoot single actions.

Anyways... so how does one find them? I would like to get a 4" with adjustable sights (or a six inch, but the adjustable sights are the primary concern). Actually my unicorn would be a 3" with target sights... but I am not sure if they made them that way.

I see the old trade-ins on gunbroker, but I feel that they are really rode hard and put up wet, I was hoping to find something more 80-95%. Are the auction sites the only option, or are there importers that handle better quality examples?

When you find out, let me know. I want one too.

I think the first rule of buying a decent Manurhin is to have deep pockets/good credit.

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Release the Kraken

ok... and step 2? =)

Their Distribution inconsistant sat best. I don't even know if they have an official Importer/ Distributor at present ( for new gun , not the LE trade ins).

And I'm trying to not be a S&W Snob , but while they are good guns , aa high condition Manhirin isn't objectivly worth the $ it would take.

Best alternative, contact sellers of the LE guns, and offer them $ over the listed price for the highest condition one in their shipment , and be satisfied.

Or , it's not that hard to shoot SA revolvers, many of us do it all the time , and like it. Then order that FA , aand declare that to be your capstone.

Umm, lucky pills? Seriously, they don't come up very often and their rarity means that even the worn LE pieces tend to be very expensive.

For me they are one of those guns that appeared on the market a few years back with nice examples at more reasonable prices. Of course, my money was committed elsewhere at the time so the opportunity was missed, sigh.

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Release the Kraken

What I wouldn't do ( I'd better be careful here) to get my hands a few Manurhin and Korth revolvers in my retirees income range. If you find a source let me know and I'll take out a mortgage on my house

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John

If you want an excellent shoot how about a Dan Wesson 715 revolver. And some of the older models still shot up unfired as pistol packs .

A friend of mine bought a Manurhin MR 73 Revolver some years back. I've shot it and while it is a fine revolver, I don't think its anywhere near worth the current asking prices. I'd put it equal to any number of S&W wheel guns, but not any better.
I fear that if you do find one and spend the big bucks that you will be disappointed. JMHO.

If you just have to have a new one, contact Chapuis Arms, the current manufacturer:


CHAPUIS ARMES
ZI La Gravoux
42 380 St-Bonnet-le-Ch*teau

Tel : (33)04 77 50 06 96
Fax : (33)04 77 50 10 70
Mail : [email protected]

Get your import papers ready with ATF, and most importantly, GET OUT YOUR GOLD BULLION. THEY WILL NOT TAKE A CHECK.

Manurhin - Chapuis Armes

Retailers in the USA are listed here:

http://www.chapuis-armes.com/modules...staretails.php

The used MR 73's with service sights on GB are selling for abt 750-850 lately. The real nice ones are mid 2000's and one last week one didn't meet the reserve at 2550. I was lucky to find a 4" bbl one with adjustable sights, it has push off and was for sale describing the condition. I shoot double action all the time so I was in no hurry to get it fixed. Local gunsmith said he could fix it. If not fixable, it would be made DAO. It's a very accurate gun, if you search the Mr73's you'll see all the fitting and strength the gun has. Mine Came with a new set of rubber grips and the used wood ones. Would really like to have the real nice one but if I have this one fixed and re-blued, it would be a lot cheaper. Also have a Korth in .22, made in 67 and is fun to shoot. Watching the Internet for 73's, they will come up for sale but the adjustable sight ones are hard to find.. Not going to start a " I'd rather have a Colt or Smith" war but they are neat to own. Hard to beat a gun that had to shoot .08 at 25 meters before it left the factory.Larry

Hard to beat?? Most DW revolver will do that or better . More about the shooter than anything . I had two that will.

To be honest, fellas... I never heard of a "manuhin" until I read this thread. I don't even know how to pronouce it. I can see me now.... goin' into a LGS... and sayin to the owner...

"You boys got any manure-hens in here?"

They'd throw me right out of that joint. Quick-like.

Naw....you're sayin' it wrong......it's man-urine.

The Manurhin revolvers were so well made that the GIGN used them, including having divers pop up out of the water and touching off a full house Magnum load to take out a sentry or whatever. They are robust if nothing else.

A few years ago, Century was bringing in used ones at reasonable prices. Those days are gone.

The .357 Magnum was very popular with French police and special forces, and it is likely that Raymond Sasia had as much to do with that as anyone. He had attended the FBI Academy, and he took back the idea to have the GIGN and other gendarmes to use .357s with 3 inch, in some cases 4 inch, barrels.

The French Police like .357s? There may be hope for France yet.

Go to the
http://www.chapuis-armes.com/modules...staretails.php website. There are 9 distributers in the USA including Cabellas in Sidney,Neb.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

They used to, but several years ago, I think they adopted both the 92G (for Gendarmerie) and the 2022. I cannot recall which agency got which one.

Whoa... that's even worse. Just imagine... after buyin' a couple of nice guns... and go into a local drinkin'-hole to brag 'bout it....

Fred (after just arrivin' at the bar): "Hey fella's... I just acquired me a coupla man-urines! Nice specimens, too! Only cost me four thousand bucks."

Beertender: "Hey you... yeah, you... ugly. This ain't that kinda bar... now get the heck outta my joint!!"

~~~~~~~~
BTW... I goggled-up them Manurhins... pictures and some write-ups. Apparently, owners really like 'em. Over time, they seem to hold their value. It wasn't until 'bout a year ago that I even heard of a Korth. I need to get out more.

You think that's bad? Try the bar but with Mannlicher

local shop in McMcurray, PA has one. Don't know if he's going to put it on the shelf or keep it for himself.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

The Gendarmerie had the Beretta 92; it was a disaster for several reasons. Now the Army still has the Mle 50 while all the agencies under the Department of the Interior; and the Gendarmerie, under the Department of Defense, have the SIG P 2022.

Google Allens Armory located I think in Florida. Had some for sale a while back, they were french police returns. Maybe he may have some or an idea as to where you may get one. He advertises on Gunboards.com
Frank

Once you actually shoot one you really appreciate them. I had the opportunity last summer to put a few rounds down range through one, and it is outstanding in the fit, quality, and accuracy. The trigger felt more like my Anschutz than any revolver I had ever shot.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

The trigger is adjustable with 2 screws in the front of the grip. Really like the real nice ones, the bluing is very high gloss and the 5" bbl looks great. Larry

They are indeed very nice revolvers and their overall quality is very close to the Korths, while their utility value is about the best available.

From my experience at the local gun ranges, I think there is a very small minority of handgun owners who will be able to appreciate the quality and accuracy of such a fine gun!

You can also try eGun - Der Marktplatz für Jäger, Schützen und Angler

Its a European shooting sport equipment auction site, kinda like gunbroker here, the site can be view with English; French or German, Google translate can do the rest. There is one MR 73 listed on it right now, current bid is 859 euro.

Contact the seller to see if him/her is willing to ship to this side of the pond before placing a bid, and have your paper work ready. I have brought a couple of hard to find European gun parts from the site and worked out very well, haven't brought a firearm from it yet.

The seller has to not only be willing to ship a gun, he has to be able to do the complicated German export paperwork, get the export permit from BAFA, register the export, do the customs clearance and ship the gun by airfreight with a minimum charge for the AWB. On this side of the pond an FFL is needed to have form 6 approved by ATF in most cases to import a firearm and customs clearance is done in the port of entry. A customs broker usually takes care of that and charges for it.

I would check into that very carefully before doing any bidding.