So, I’m finally going to take the plunge, clean out the safe, and treat myself to a Korth or Manurhin.

The Mongoose is available from Nighthawk and the Manurhin from Perodeux. It would be a new gun either way.

The Korth runs about $500 more than the MR73, but as was mentioned on another forum, the partnership with Nighthawk might mean better service if needed.

So for you rich folks who have both, which is the best overall, and why?

Bear in mind I’m interested in current production only. I’ve already seen all the arguments about older guns being better.

Please don’t bring up the Janz, either. If I win the lottery (hard since I don’t play), I’ll ask about it then.

Cover article on the Korth in this month's American Handgunner.

Currently in the revolver subforum at Pistol Forum there's an excellent -- in some posts deeply informed -- discussion on these two. Suggest you peruse...

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Pickpocket

Sold some of the guns in the safe to reduce the amount. Bought a Korth .22 I believe it’s called a half lug. Has the cylinder release next to the trigger. Then got a MR73 in .357, one of the older ones. Both are nice guns but not what you are looking at. The trigger on the Manurhin is more like the S&W action in double action which they make now. The Korth I have has roller bearings and the double action is different feeling. Not sure on the newer Korths. Personally, I like the MR73. Bought a set of target grips from Kebco, he helped me in the past and he sells the new ones. Nice guns and good luck. Larry

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You might take a look at the OPs handle over there

Helluva coincidence.

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Pickpocket

After Korth in Ratzeburg closed shop for the umpteenth time in 2008, the current owners ventured into the gun manufacturer's world to save this traditional German revovler manufacturer's name. They did so as gun enthusiasts and by putting their manufacturing expertise as precision manufacturers for the luxury automobile industry to use. They use modern technology and the finest machines to build a very uniform product.

Manurhin has long left the firearms industry and Chapuis Armes has taken the production of the revolvers over. Influenced by Raymond Sassia, Manurhin had incorporated many of Korth's design features into their guns, the roller bearing for the double action, the ball bearing to give an ultra smooth surface to the chambers and the adjustable trigger return weight. They had also added the feature of an adjustable main spring and redesigned the trigger return spring to work reliably.
Having owned Chapuis Armes and Mulhouse MR73s, I could find no difference in quality in between the Chapuis Armes and Mulhouse examples.

Both revolvers, Korth and MR73, are excellent and quality wise compare in each and every respect, with the MR73 still maintaining a more traditional appearance.

In the end, the decision has to be based on personal preference.

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FFL08

Sadly, it’s hard to determine personal preference when you can’t even handle one.

I've been looking at new MR73s for a couple of years now and have yet to find one without a flaw, and I had the chance to check out multiple NIB MR73s side by side on several occassions. Some have weird stacking triggers, some appear to have almost no stacking, some cylinder releases wobble, some are stuck, some have uneven blueing, it's really really annoying. S&W has better quality control . And I've been told by a dealer that there were some problems with internal parts breaking and cracks in the undercut forcing cone, but I've never actually seen a defective one, or even a used one for that matter.

The current Korth revolvers are in a different class altogether, they are really super high quality, and you know it the moment you pick one up.

When was your Chapuis MR73 made? Maybe they dropped the ball in the last couple of years.

The Chapuis Armes gun was one of the first guns they made. My Mulhouse is running well but I am a Korth guy. A good friend of mine in Germany has a new Korth and won state championship with his Korth two years ago and has defended that title successfully with his Lollar made gun.

I have been inside the second factory in Ratzeburg, I prefer calling it a shop over factory, and the Lollar factory and have spoken with Korths CEO on several occasions. He is very customer oriented and their service is outstanding.

After all, I sold the Chapuis Armes MR73 and kept the Mulhouse, and not just because 5 1/4 inch is neat.

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FFL08

I’m leaning towards the Korth, even though it’s $500 more.

The relationship with Nighthawk would appear to give them a big leg up in service & support.

If only one of them implemented a crane lock instead of the damn rod plunger. Even S&W is abandoning it.

A why would that be necessary? Korth in Ratzeburg had experimented with a triple lock and abandoned it. I have several ten thousands rounds through my favorite Korth .357, a 5 shot version and it is still sound.

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FFL08

The gun of the champion.

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FFL08

Not necessary but preferable.

The MR73 sure is prettier....to me.

The gun that I pictured above belongs to a good friend of mine, Chris Wirowski. He won the medals shown with the gun on state and national levels. It does not matter to a shooter of his quality whether a gun is pretty or not, he wants to win. Chris has shot plenty of my traditional Korths and a Manurhin MR73 Combat and he prefers his ugly Korth, just as he prefers a SIG Sauer P220X or HK P9S Sport over my SIG P210s. I, on the other hand, shoot the P210-6 at least as well as the 220X or P9S and love the workmanship and traditional lines.

I guess we all have different criteria and wildly different preferences.

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FFL08

Had both and kept the Lollar Korth.

I love the old Korth, though I don’t have one (yet) but I find the Mongoose too modern / tactical to my liking.

I have a 2007 Chapuis made MR73, it’s a beautiful gun, finish is flawless with a very deep blueing. It’s also very sturdy and I’ve put a good amount of full load .357 Mag trough it without any trouble. Truly the best France has to offer (and I am German).