Manurhin model 88

[Toyman]

I purchased this last fall. Look like crafted based on Ruger Security Six but the difference is the model 88 has a side plate while the Ruger fire control group drops out the bottom of the frame.
The gun has a smooth trigger pull and shoots very good. I was going to replace the Traush grips but after shooting it I like them.
The ridge at the top of the back strap keeps my hand in place.

[Texas Star]

Note the post servng as a crane lock.

[Old_Cop]

I looked a couple of these last year. Dealer wanted $599 and they were no where near the condition of yours. I passed.

[Swissman]

Congrats Toyman!!!

Trausch is out of business and that's a shame.
The tools are still around but ...🙄
No other grip leads the energy of recoil so straight
in the arm.

The MR88 revolvers are real good guns.
My 6" MR88 has a "built in accuracy". 😊 It likes Accurate #5 loads. No matter, if @ 25 or @ 50 meters.
The 3" with adj. sights is a gun, I would buy in a second.

Swissman

[Toyman]

The gun is heavy and with Trausch grips it stays on target with moderate 38 special loads. The yoke stud is interesting and hold the yoke solid.
I took it to Las Vegas Metro's range where my son is an instructor and several instructors shot it a difference distances.
The consensus was it shot to point of aim easily back to 15 yards using Speer +P 38 ammo.

[OLDSTER]

Regarding the cylinder release "button" and sculpted recoil shield; makes one question whether Bill Ruger copied the Manurhin, or visa-versa. Fine revolvers.

[Toyman]

Ruger and the French had a relationship beginning with the Mini 14 models
that the Frech are still using. The Security Six line began around 1972 the Manurchin 88 is mid to late 80's production.

[reccpd101]

The Ruger 357s and Mini-14 were well used in LE in my day. I had an AC-556 and liked it a lot. Some of the commentary on the magazine issue above is a bit off. LE agencies and officers had Ruger 30 rd magazines in the 80s. I had several for my AC-556.

[JayFramer]

Originally Posted by Toyman

The gun is heavy and with Trausch grips it stays on target with moderate 38 special loads. The yoke stud is interesting and hold the yoke solid.
I took it to Las Vegas Metro's range where my son is an instructor and several instructors shot it a difference distances.
The consensus was it shot to point of aim easily back to 15 yards using Speer +P 38 ammo.

Do any Metro cats still rock wheelers? I know they get to pick their sidearms.

[JayFramer]

The short 3” barrels on these always seemed to be on the short side for an open carry service revolver.

We’re these meant more for plain clothes details?

[Toyman]

Jay: Metro allows revolvers for backup and off duty carry.

[JayFramer]

Originally Posted by Toyman

Jay: Metro allows revolvers for backup and off duty carry.

Very cool. Thanks!

[GyMac]

Thanks for posting! An interesting gun!

[Lady Smith]

Originally Posted by Toyman

I purchased this last fall. Look like crafted based on Ruger Security Six but the difference is the model 88 has a side plate while the Ruger fire control group drops out the bottom of the frame.
The gun has a smooth trigger pull and shoots very good. I was going to replace the Traush grips but after shooting it I like them.
The ridge at the top of the back strap keeps my hand in place.

Hey Toyman !

Nice MR88 you have.

In fact, Manurhin used the frame of the Ruger Speed six only on the Manurhin Special Police.
Then, they used their own frame on the MR88 and the Special Police F1.
So the MR88 is a 100% Manurhin build, but many guys don’t make the difference and try to sell a Special Police at the same price than a MR88.

IIRC, the Ruger frame doesn’t have the screw on the right side underneath the cylinder, and the « Made in France * is stamped at this place.
On the Manurhin frame, there is a screw on the right side of the frame underneath the cylinder and the « Made in France * is stamped on the top strap on the left side of the frame.

Here is mine. Not as beautiful as yours.
I purchased Trausch grips as well because the original ones weren’t too big for my hand and also because in .357 mag the recoil smacked my hand too much.

What’s stamped on the top strap on the right side of yours ?

[Toyman]

Lady Smith thanks for the education. I shoot the model 88 almost ever range trip. With the very young generation not having knowledge about revolvers in general seeing a French made revolver bogles their minds !
As I stated above the instructors who shot it thought it was a very good gun.

[Lady Smith]

Yes it is but unfortunately I’m not good with mine, I can’t shoot a tight group, especially with .357 ammo.

The MR73 is much better, quality and accuracy wise, but it’s too expensive.

Manurhin stopped to make guns and they allowed Chapuis Armes to make them and they still make Manurhin guns.
Some people say they are same quality, others say Manurhin made by Manurhin are better. Hard to know who tells the truth

It’s a shame our country sucks when it comes to protect and save our heritage.
Manurhin was bought by United Arab Emirates a few years ago.

[Toyman]

The right side of my model 88 is the importer mark IMG FRANKFURT, KY.

[federali]

For whatever reason, I didn't know this gun existed, and I've been receiving American Rifleman magazine since the 1960s and Combat Handguns during the 1980s.

Looks like a great gun and I especially like just how close it is to an S&W Model 65, 3", a gun that's increasing in value by the day.

[Lady Smith]

3 inch barrel is rather common. I think because they were used by police, customs, cash transporters etc... and it was easier to carry and to handle.

Mine is a 4 inch, it took a while before I find it.
Unfortunately I’m not good at shooting with it but I like how it looks and its very smooth action.

[JayFramer]

Originally Posted by Toyman

The gun is heavy and with Trausch grips it stays on target with moderate 38 special loads. The yoke stud is interesting and hold the yoke solid.
I took it to Las Vegas Metro's range where my son is an instructor and several instructors shot it a difference distances.
The consensus was it shot to point of aim easily back to 15 yards using Speer +P 38 ammo.

That’s cool, Toyman! Do you know if any Metro guys still carry revolvers?

[Lady Smith]

Toyman I missed you shot +P ammo.
I don’t know if it’s a good idea, because it’s not designed for +P.

[Toyman]

I have been shooting 158 grain round nose lead about 750 feet per second not a very high pressure load.

[rem.44]

Hi Roy !
Congrats for your Manurhin MR 88, these are great revolvers, very tough !
Yours is really clean, in very good condition !

The brand of the grip is Traush, from the name of a french shooter, Jacques Trausch, who has written books on weaponry too.
They are very comfortable, especially for the shooters with small hands. And I don't know if you know it, but they also fit Ruger Speed-Six and Service Six Ruger revolvers.
That brand used to propose grips for several revolvers : Manurhin MR 73 and of course Smith & Wesson K&L frame, with the particularity to fit both square and round butt ! I own one pair, but find them a little too large, they increase the distance to reach the trigger in double action. However, they absorb the recoil very well, and are really great for single action precision shooting.
And they were official issued in The National Police Administration, and in the Gendarmerie.

About your revolver, 3" barrel revolvers were devoted to "Police Municipale" : a local Police agency under the autority of the Mayor of a city. They are not all armed, but when they are, they used only .38 Special revolvers, very often with 3" barrel.
And a lot of them were sold when these cities decided to change the revolvers for more modern pistols, like Glock 17 .
4" barrels were used in National Police, and in French Customs Administration : I got one several years, as I was in duty at the border with Switzerland, but I prefered my Smith & Wesson 13: lighter, and with a best trigger in double action shooting.

I got this one, a few years ago :

[Toyman]

rem.44 Thanks for your input about who was issued the gun.