Its certainly got my vote, anyway. In fact, its got my vote as the best revolver period. That’s how highly I think of this stellar French wheelgun.

The Manurhin MR 73 was developed in France in the early 1970‘s. It was introduced, not surprisingly, in 1973. The main reason for its introduction was to arm the French police with something much more substantial than the old and weak 32ACP pistols they had been using since being liberated from Nazi occupation. Manurhin also built the MR 73 to supply the elite French counter terrorist unit, GIGN with a top of the line weapon to replace their Smith & Wesson 19s. A GIGN Trooper fired an average of 40,000 rounds per year and the S&W simply wasn’t up to the task. This revolver was built largely by hand out of the finest materials. It was built to extremely high standards of quality and durability. While the MR is fairly small revolver (about the size of a S&W K frame), its strength is enormous. The barrel, cylinder, and frame are all forged from ordnance-certified tool steel.

Barrel lengths varied from 2.5" all the way up to 10.75". The shorter barrel lengths were used primarily for police and defensive models with fixed sights, while Sport, Target, and Silhouette models with adjustable sights and larger grips were generally offered in barrel lengths of 5.25" and longer. The main caliber was 357 Magnum, but they were also offered in 38 Special, 32 S&W Long, 22LR, and a conversion cylinder for 9mm Luger was offered with the 357 Magnum models. The MR 73 served many purposes and filled many needs. There was a caliber suited for almost anything.

The barrel is cold hammer forged and the rifling is formed in this process, not cut in an extra step. The inner surface of the barrel is, likewise, extremely hard and incredibly smooth. This makes the bore of the MR 73 all but indestructible. The Manurhin factory museum displays an example that has fired about 100,000 full power 357 Magnum rounds with no signs of slowing down. Another torture test had an MR 73 firing 170,000 rounds of Norma 158gr 357 Magnum without hurting the gun. Its been estimated that the bore could handle 300,000 rounds before beginning to show wear. I’m not sure whether or not I believe that last sentence, but if there’s any revolver with that kind of stamina, its this one. You sure wouldn’t see a Smith, Colt, or probably even a Ruger doing it.

The MR 73‘s cylinder’s strength is just as impressive. Each revolver is factory tested with ammunition loaded to well over the 357 Mag’s maximum pressure. In fact, the factory guarantees no cylinder deformation with pressures up to 90,000psi, which is remarkably impressive. The manufacturing of the cylinder involves it being machined out of the forged steel. The cylinder chambers are burnished after being drilled, resulting in them being glass smooth and incredibly rigid.

Despite all these terrific superlatives of construction, the basic design of the Manurhin was based on the Smith & Wesson revolver. However, there were some key differences. The hammer on the MR only moves about 40 degrees from fully cocked to rest, whereas a typical Smith & Wesson hammer moves about 15 degrees more. This makes the trigger pull quite short. To compensate for the heavier spring needed for the shorter travel, the MR 73 employs several roller bearings in the action to smooth its function. Without getting into specifics, the unique mechanism also allows the trigger weight to be finely adjusted independently from the mainspring. This means the trigger pull can be lightened without fear of a weak hammer strike. This is accomplished through a special adjustment screw on the front of the grip strap (visible in the pictures). Other than this, the MR 73 internal parts are of much higher strength and quality than a S&W of the same period. As mentioned above, the Manurhin’s parts are all forged from the highest grade steel. Smith & Wesson typically used a much softer and lesser grade of steel and then case hardened it. While this worked well for the most part and most aplications, it paled in comparison to Manurhin’s far superior construction methods.

The MR 73 has a strikingly unique appearance, unlike any other revolver I can think of. Its got sort of a lurched forward aggressive stance to it, which I find cool. The mirror-like bluing is beautiful and deep as an ocean. The checkered walnut grips came in a few different styles. Each one looks great and supports an excellent hold on the revolver. The grips are always adorned on the bottom by gold MR medallions. The hammer and trigger are strawed to a handsome burnt bronze hue. There’s also four distinctive plum colored “dots” on the left side of the frame, which are the result of frame pins reacting differently to the bluing salts. Its just a really beautiful revolver, in my opinion, and there’s no mistaking it for anything else.

Performance was another priority for the Manurhin company and the MR 73 was built for match grade accuracy and smooth function. An MR 73 revolver didn’t leave the factory unless it produced a 5-shot group of under 20mm at 25 meters. That’s about 3/4 of an inch. Again, this is quite impressive and basically as good as it gets. This is all from a service based revolver, mind you. With its longer barreled and target sighted variants, it was a service revolver that also turned into some of the best sporting and target revolvers the world had ever seen. Does this story sound vaguely familiar?

The MR 73‘s story line is very similar to a legendary auto pistol from Switzerland. Both the MR 73 and Sig P210 were designed with service as the main purpose. Because their design was so outstanding and their construction so exemplary, these guns were capable of so much more. They both proved that over the years. For a service gun to be able to shoot with the best target guns in the world, really amazes me. The MR 73 is the Sig P210 of revolvers, in my opinion. They are two of the finest handguns ever built and they just happened to start life as service guns.

I just picked up this early production commercial Police/Defense model with a 4“ barrel to add to my 6“ MR 73 Sport. The Police/Defense models were offered in barrel lengths of 2.5, 3, and 4“ in length. This example bears a very low, four digit serial number of just over 3000 and was produced in the mid 1970's. Condition is superb and I’m not sure it was ever fired outside the factory. The bluing and grips are both perfect. Its complete with a lanyard loop in the butt of the grip frame. As you can see, this gun came with the box and accessories, but no papers or test target.

Being such an early build, it differs slightly from my Sport model, which was built a few years later. As you can see, there is a screw in the top of the frame near the hammer that was later deleted in favor of wedging the frame together. The internal trigger spring varies slightly as well, as Manurhin improved the design over the years for faster firing.

By now, you can obviously tell, I’m a huge fan of this revolver. I love the performance, the ergonomics, the appearance, the history, and the amazing build quality. While I love vintage American revolvers, I’m fairly confident in saying that neither Smith & Wesson or Colt ever produced a firearm approaching this combination of quality, refinement, performance, and brute strength and durability. In fact, I don’t think its even close when you factor everything in together.

How does it measure up to the legendary Korth Combat, you may ask? The Korth Combat is, without a shadow of a doubt, the finest factory revolver money can buy. Its certainly more refined than the MR 73 and arguably just as accurate, strong and durable. Having said that, I like the MR 73 more. For me, it exudes a character and “soul” that the Korth lacks, to a degree that it transcends the German gun as a whole. The Korth is basically perfect in form and function. In fact, maybe its too perfect to the point that it lacks personality in my eyes. It may sound silly to some, but the MR 73's pedigree coupled with everything else, puts it on top of the Korth in my book.

Hopefully, this thread brings the Manurhin a little more attention going forward. When everything is combined and all factors are taken into account, its got my vote as the best revolver ever made.

Please enjoy the pics and thanks for reading.

Truly impressive! That is a fine looking revolver.

I missed the boat on those when they came in about a year ago. They were $500 +/-

Aimsurplus had a canoe full of them less than 6 months ago, 3 and 4 inch variations. I hesitated and they were gone.

__________________
Sure you did

Not an inexpensive gun for sure. Wasn't on my radar, but if I ever see a mr73 at pedestrian prices I will make sure to give it thorough attention. It sounds like a great gun. Thanks for sharing!

Dan Wessons use the shorter hammer travel too. It helps accuracy. The less time after sear disengages until firing, the better.

There is a joke about French engineering:

In heaven, the police are British, the cooks are French, and the engineers are German. In hell, the Germans are the police,the British are the cooks, and the French are the engineers.

An ex girlfreind had a Renault....what a money pit.

Timely thread, the MR 73 I bought from Allens Armory a while back had push off. Bgrafsr, a member here fixed it just last week. Nice gun to shoot, use it in the DAO revolver match at NOSC, 8 weeks a year. When the winter bullseye league ends, the revolver guys take over. Mine is a 4" bbl with target sights. When I looked at Allens Armory site and saw one with target sights, I called immediately. Looks to have been fired a lot but not as bad as some were and the bluing is abt 85%. Since the nice ones look so nice, the one I have is going to be re-blued with a high gloss finish. It goes tomorrow to Crown gun shop. Want a nice one and this is the cheaper way out. The trigger can be adjusted from the 2 screws in front of the grip, nice

Korth. Since I retired February 1st, I started a Tuesday morning old guy shoot at the club from 10am till noon. The last 2 weeks I took my Korth .22 to shoot. Fun gun, enjoy the precision of a fine made gun. Actually shoot good with it. I usually shoot double action only but use the Korth single action for the accuracy it has. Need to adjust the double action but not sure how. It's also adjusted from the outside of the gun.

Bc1023, is there somewhere to buy grips for the Manurhin without spending 300.00 for nice Nills. Do they make a set that look great but are cheaper? Mine has the worn wood set and a new rubber set. (Not sure how to spell the name) just want to upgrade the wood. Larry

For military hardware, the French are no slouches in design and manufacture. They sell a lot of it all over the world. Maybe not so good for automobiles. Now if someone could just tell me everything about my Miroku .38 Special revolver, I'd be happy.

I guess you're a big fan!

I'd like to hear comments from the people who know, gun engineers and so forth, comparing the Manurhin to the equivalent Colts or S&Ws of this or an earlier era. I'm not the right person for the job but you folks are out there.....

Yeah, most of those surplus models were ridden pretty hard though.

I'm not concerned with finish wear

Here is my 4" police along with my 6" MR 73 Sport.

I've got many Colts and Smith & Wessons, to include vintage Pythons and Registered Magnums. While they are very nice revolvers, they aren't Manurhin MR 73's either.

I might be a nice gun, sounds like it BUT each GIGN Trooper shoots 110 rounds of ammo a day? That almost stopped me from reading the rest.

.For Jebus35745 and all other Korth fans:

Here (" KORTH USA")

Korth-Waffen (Revolver)

(scroll down, then right ) you still can find the "Owners Manual and product literature"

literature

Hope it's helpful (Don't want to "hijack" this thread, so
perhaps a new Korth thread with pictures ?)

P.44

I thought that was a lot too, but that is what is posted in the info I've read on them. Either way, they fired them a great deal.

Yes, it's a very nice gun. I don't call something the best very often.

That'd be 109 a day.
Everybody burns through two boxes of .357 a day don't they?

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Straight shootin'
SWCA#2439

True, it was the 40,000 rounds a year that seemed like a lot to me. A couple boxes a day isn't bad, but I'm sure there are days they don't shoot at all.

Some years back, Manurhin was making the Walther PPK/S pistols. I had one of those. Manurhin's big business is making automated loading equipment for the ammunition manufacturers. Wouldn't be surprised they also made various other types of industrial manufacturing machinery. They also manufactured ammunition, maybe they still do.

I'd sure like to see a picture of the works with the sideplate off.

If I ever find one of hese, it's coming home with me.

They are quite nice. Maybe Lifesizepotato will chime in soon.

They are jewel-like internally, as one might expect...

I dont remember if sou have a 21 or 22 prefix Korth, from the 22 on the Da can be externally adjusted. If you need help with it, pm me. I just fixed my 22 series that had late timing in da and adjusted it.

Nice write up OP. Manurhin is owned by Chapuis now and the Canadian dealer (Trade Ex Canada) just got some new MR88's in stainless. From what I understand these were a design collaboration with Ruger and are the entry level Manurhin. They're priced at $1895 CAD and apparently they have also have MR73's on the way. No firm price yet but guess's are 3K+

I'd heard about the MR-73 for years, and like a Korth, always wanted one, but could never afford it. There's an "ugly duckling" one on the well known on-line gun auction site at about half the price of a regular "un-ugly duckling" type, but if you're going to go big, go big and not half way. By the way, I had a buddy whose dad specialized in buying treasures from pawnshops. Years ago, he bought a beautiful Korth from a pawnshop for a song because they had never heard of the brand, and thought (because of the brand name) that it came from North Korea! Where am I when such deals are to be had?

Regards,

Dave

Yeah, the MR 88 is decent for a lower cost alternative, but it certainly isn't built like the MR 73.

BC, who sells the new MR 73's in the US? What does a new one sell for today? Made a couple calls today and one place said someone in Texas imports them but he wasn't sure who it was. I see what the used ones sell for a was curious what a new one costs. Larry

On the CHAPUIS ARMES Homepage Chapuis Armes
they listed a few Retailers for the USA:

Chapuis Armes

and there are great pictures and so on...


Here (scroll down to "External links") you can download the "English
User Manual" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manurhin_MR_73

I think, alone the unique "rebound system" is worth a look...


Perhaps sometimes -if you are in the mood and have the time
for reading/watching- the "good old aunt GOOGLE" and "uncle Wiki"
are your best friends.

EXample. Manurhin MR 73 - t-online.de Websuche

There are out a few interesting youtube-videos (from our
threadstarter ?) also...

P.44

Yes, that's it. They are expensive and I have no idea if they're as nice as the older models or not.

They look beautiful though.

I had one of those police trade guns for a while ~ great revolver.

__________________
John
S&WCA Life Member

I found a Sport model a few years back chambered in .32 Long, a head turner for sure at the range. Always on the hunt for a .357, though. Thanks for the posts and pics, Brian.

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but, having bought one a year ago when Aim had them, I finally got to the range and shot it. Double action was very nice, but felt strange because of the short pull.

Anyway, I got it home and decided to try disassembling it to see how gunked up in side it was. As I haven't taken one down before, and parts aren't plentiful, I had reservations. Well, it was filthy inside once I did break it down. A long slow soak in OMS for the small parts, and a dip in the sonic cleaner for the frame. Cleaned up the gunk nicely, but the finish is pretty bad.

I'm thinking of getting it refinished by Ford's down here near Tampa. It's expensive, and normally wouldn't think of it, but there is a fair amount of abrasion on one side and lots of blue loss and some fine rust on the side plate--mechanically sound but ugly. I don't think I can lower the value of it. If it were just bluing loss, I wouldn't care, but the fine rust and the abraision spot are not pretty.

The 4" I found with adjustable sights shoots nicely for me in double action. It's being reblued with a high gloss finish local for less then 300. The name Manurhin will be re-engraved for less then 100 so it will show up nicely. Hopefully it will keep me from buying one of the expensive nice ones on the auction sites. There has been a lot of them for sale lately and they go quickly. The 3" ones seem intriguing as a carry gun, Larry

Does anyone know if the current Chapuis MR73 uses the same strong tool steel as the original Mulhouse MR73? Also wondering if there's any difference in construction and quality between the two.

The Manurhins are a decent enough gun but to claim them superior to a Colt’s Python is nothing short of laughable.

The French gun is really just a polished out Ruger clone. They are considered dependable guns with lots of street use but there is just no comparing them to the hand-forged and meticulously fitted legend that is the Colt’s.

Comparing the Python to something like a Korth is a more realistic comparison, but even then the Python is the superior product. They wouldn’t be demanding $30,000 in mint condition is they weren’t the greatest production revolvers in history (which they are).

Actually JayFramer, the MR73 is superior to the Colt Python in pretty much every way. It has fully adjustable weight of the trigger without affecting the power of the hammer drop (to ensure you don't suffer light primer strikes, which is typical of what you experience with a Python against some ammo). It has a very short double action and the single action can also be tuned with simply a turn of the trigger weight adjustment spring screw. And the strength of the components is a lot tougher than the Python. And the accuracy guarantee seems to be better than the Python. Not sure where you are getting this Ruger Clone but I think you're probably mistaking the Mr73 with a later Mr88?

Wow is all I can say, honestly. The MR73 has nothing to do with Ruger. That was the MR88, which was a much, MUCH cheaper design.

As the owner of multiple Colt Pythons and Manurhin MR73’s, I will say that without a doubt the Manurhin is a far superior revolver in every way. I’m actually a big Python fan (or I wouldn’t own so many). Having said that, it’s no MR73. It’s not nearly as strong and durable or as accurate. It’s not even as refined.

Yes, some rare Pythons command a lot of collector value. In fact, I own one worth $15,000 myself. However, that’s Colt collector’s value and has very little to do with the quality of the Python itself.

Since you brought up Korth, I will tell you the Colt Python is no Korth either. Not even in the same ballpark from a quality or durability perspective.

Respectfully, I’d really encourage you to research the MR73 a bit.

Not sure if you could get that any more wrong...

Bc1023 do you perhaps know the difference in quality and metallurgy between the Chapuis and Mulhouse MR73?

Also do you know if the 21 Series Korth Revolver still use the same quality steel as the later version?

I've never owned a Chapius model. I have shot one and I was very impressed in every way from the fit and finish to the attention to detail and accuracy. I don't know the answer to your question, but they seem to take their work seriously. I'd lean towards it being at least very similar in terms or strength and durability. Even the original gun transformed a lot over the years.

My 4" model is a first year 1973 gun, while my MR73 Sport on the right is later 70's. They have some differences beyond the obvious of grips, sights, and barrel length.

Looks really good. For the Mulhouse MR73, do you perhaps have a preference between the 1973 model you have and the later version?

My Chapuis MR73

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My Smith I now carry is a Model 60-9. Their newest model.
Stainless
357 Magnum
5 shots
2"bbl
Rubber grips with finger grooves
It is heavy, and this absorbs the substantial recoil.
It fits my medium size hand perfectly, and I can control the recoil.
This caliber is why I bought it.
I want the perp I have to shoot to stay on the floor, not move and bleed out.
I'm 81 now with breathing and heart problems.
My wife of 57 years always is at my side.

What does any of that have to do with a discussion regarding the Manurhin MR73?

One of the great things about this excellent forum are the members who actually own and shoot amazing guns like Korth, MR73, Triplelock, etc.

Here's one I'd love to find....MR73 Long Range Target

Jim

PS: A few of these, with scopes added, were used by France's GIGN (elite anti-terrorist squad) as "counter-sniper" pistols!

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