Only recently, and on other forums, I've started seeing the mysterious Korth revolvers. I've always heard that they are the "Rolex of the gun world". Now that I've actually been able to see them on the internet, I don't understand their appeal. Sure they might have some world class craftsmanship, but man do they have some "*****" design elements. What could possibly make these "Wonder guns" superior to a S&W, Ruger, or Colt revolver? Is it the astronomical price? Maybe it's the mystique of owning a piece of German engineering. I have never found German engineering to be superior, just different, and often unconventional. What's your view? If you have one of these "Wonder Irons" I'd love to hear from you. And Of course pictures would be appreciated.

Being formerly trained as a toolmaker by a handful of old German guys in much the same way they were trained, I can say this about German Engineering...it can't be beat. Nor can their level of precision and attention to detail. Parts that are hand fit are made to quality unseen in other weapons. The cost comes in from the labor involved to give you the most perfect piece of sporting arms clock work. I've held two of these beautiful pieces in my hands over the years, and loved my experience with them. Other manufacturers mass produce...these aren't.

Would I own one? If I had a nearly undying supply of money coming in, perhaps. Will it do anything that a S&W or Colt can't do? Not really...but it does it much, much better. Personally, I can't see a need for one in my collection, but I really do appreciate the work involved to make them.

It's the difference between a Mercedes-Benz E-class and a KIA Amanti. Both will get you there, but only one will get you there in pure style, luxury and with more enjoyment.

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Μολών λαβέ!

Here is a very recent thread, perhaps the OP will chime in:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearm...-revolver.html

As with most human endeavors, defining "better" is in the eye of the beholder. There is little chance I will ever own a Korth (unless an unsuspecting seller puts their inherited gun online with a Buy Now of $399 ), but I can certainly understand the attraction.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

S&Ws would cost just as much today if they were still being made in the same manner they were 85 years ago.

^^^^ I would have to disagree there; S&W was never made to the standard of Korth.

I have had the opportunity to shoot a Korth, and I can attest to it's being the "Rolex" of revolvers. The fit, feel and function is par-excellence. Would I buy one? As much as I liked it, I could buy two S&W's for the price of one Korth, and maybe a case of ammo to boot.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Overall standards? Debatable, though I'm inclined to agree with you. Hands on work, though, compared to today's CNC, MIM, assembly line approach? The old S&Ws were much more like today's Korth in those terms -- artisanal, master gunsmiths handworking each part into a smoothly functioning whole. For S&W to do that today would require charging the kind of numbers Korth does.

To each his own, but I don't buy anything made in Germany or Japan, to each his own, but I read too much history.....

Korth, Shmorth...give me a nice pre-27!

'Merica!!!!

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'Merica!

I'll disagree with that.Yes,RMs received some special treatment,but S+Ws have always been a mass produced item,produced for the masses.
Korths are something special and in a league of their own.
I could appreciate having one,however as with every other item that is available,and with the ability afford any of them,I'm happy enough with regular stuff that doesn't require someone special to fix it or high price parts.I'll stick with my Smiths,and my Fords and Hondas.I'll pass on the Ferraris and Rolexes.

I've read as much or more history than most people, and I have read nothing that would keep me from buying German or Japanese goods. They are not our enemy, and have not been for 70 years. My grandparents are German immigrants, and I've been to Germany quite a few times myself. In the past, I met many WWII Wehrmacht vets; not so much anymore. I have made many German friends. I never experienced a reason for me to boycott German products.

More importantly, do you buy Middle East oil products? How about Chinese? Russian? You are funding your own destruction if you do.

Remember from your history book reading where we used to be mortal enemies with England? Times change, boy.

In days of yore, I bought a brand new Colt Python for $440. IIRC, a Korth was $1800. Damned right there is a difference.

I saw one for the first time and was lucky enough to be allowed to shoot it in Denmark during the summer of 2014 while I was there on a vacation. I had never heard of them before then. It was a beautiful gun and was very smooth, but when the owner told me how much he paid for it, my jaw dropped. I think he got something wrong in the Kroner to Dollar conversion. It had the 9mm cylinder and everything. For me, I would just rather buy several really nice S&Ws than to drop that much money on a Rolex.

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USAF AMMO

As you said, to each his own, and you're welcome to your views.

I've read a great deal of history.

History says World War II ended seventy years ago this year. I have memories of it myself.

I don't know if any of my ancestors owned slaves. Possibly some did, the ones in Georgia, but I never have.

I don't want to be blamed for their actions, or Andersonville or Sherman's march to the sea, so I don't blame the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the Third Reich for what their forebears did. I do keep an eye on their governments, and everybody else's, lest things go sideways again. So far so good.

Sorry, end of thread drift.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I started to watch the Manurhin MR73's and the korth's with interest after reading about them right here on this forum. Allens Armory had a few Manurhins for sale and I bought a 4" with target sights. Felt lucky to get an adjustable sight version when most at the price I paid were service sights. Been hanging out on Gunbroker lately and watch for some guns other then Smiths. There was a 6' Korth .22 that hung at 1600.00 for a whille so I watched it. The price rose and I put in my max and last bid with 3 hours to go and it was mine. Didn't pay what most sell for, about half the going rate. Its neat to own something considered high end knowing its the top of the line. Shot it twice and havn't gotten the accuracy out of it that its capable of yet. It will be fun to shoot and enjoy. I'm to the point where I'm gonna cut back on what I own and have less nicer guns and that includes S&W's. I like S&W's so much, I formed the NE Ohio Bunch. They aren't for everyone but I like mine. Actually, if I could sell this one for what I have in it, I would. There is another one for sale that I would buy but is more expensive then mine. Larry

I had a college buddy, rich guy, who had one. His mechanical engineer dad had studied them and said the difference was simply due to manufacturing tolerances and harder steels. Its more doable to make them all to the same tolerances when you are not sliding hundreds of revolvers out the door a day like Smith was in the 70's (or anytime). The harder steel explains the lower wear.

Its not better engineering, its engineering that meets your product's market.

Some people only want what they perceive to be the best, and buy into that "German engineering" thing.

How many men have the Germans put on the moon? All the best IT products and softwear are German, too. Oh wait, no they're not, they are American and Japanese.

But seriously, I would say that the Korths are 3-5% better than the equivalent Smith, but that increase costs you 300% on the cost, as it usually does in making anything. The Germans are good, and their culture still respects making things, but they are not magicians. Bill S

Somehow I lost the pictures, here they are. Larry

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It could be argued that a couple of Germans, helped put a bunch of Americans on the moon.

This model lacks the underlug, I see. Where's the cylinder release?

And, does it have a crane lock ,like a Ruger GP-100, or is that a Colt-like system? There's no front lock for the extractor rod, like on an S&W.

Which way does the cylinder turn?

As WWII was coming to an end in Europe, the Americans and Soviets were in a mad race to capture German rocket technology and scientists. Both sides used German scientists to develop their respective space programs. One of the guys the U.S. got was Wernher von Braun, who had been head of the V2 rocket program (he was also a dedicated NAZI, BTW) and later was also heavily involved with developing our Saturn rocket system. When the Soviets beat us into orbit with their Sputnik satellite, President Eisenhower (also of German heritage) remarked something to the effect that "their Germans were better than our Germans".

Texas Star, the extractor rod locks the cyl and it's pulled to release the cyl from battery. There is no crane lock that I can see, it seems the stiffness of the crane locks the front and the extractor locks into the frame in the rear. When the cyl is out, there is no play at all. The extractor does not turn with the cyl like a Smith. When the cyl is locked in the frame, there is very little play both rotational and side to side. In front of the trigger on the right side is a button to push that let's the cyl Assembly slide foreword for easy cleaning. It has the handling feel of the model 19 it sort of copy's. I saved an owners manual online and I believe the trigger is adjustable from the outside of the gun. Korth says the guns made in .357 will be as tight after 50,000 rounds as when new. This gun is .22 so it should last forever. Oh yea, the cyl turns clockwise. In my searches on Korths there is abt 70 hours hand fitting which may include hand polishing for the blueing. Larry

If you can't see it, you're not the target market anyway. I don't currently own a Korth, they cost around 6k right now for the one I prefer. I have shot them in the past and found them to be worth every penny.

I never heard of KORTH before this thread. Thank you for bringing it to us, I am intrigued.
I might hate you in a year or 2 when I am homeless but have a few really nice revolvers in my paper bag.