Beginning To Understand Why A Korth Mongoose Revolver Is Worth $3,499

dwever · Jul 14, 2017

Important Note: The Grant Cunningham extolls the features of the Korth (distributed by Nighthawk made by Korth - yes that Nighthawk) revolver, he works for neither Korth or Nighthawk. Suggested retail for Mongoose with 4" barrel: $3,499.

Particularly interesting are his comments about what it would cost in 2016 to manufacture a Colt Python.

[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QG39eqH3ZUE[/ame]

HOUSTON RICK · Jul 14, 2017

OK, it is expensive to make, but what does it do that other handguns cannot do?

apollo99 · Jul 14, 2017

I had the opportunity to handle one last year when Nighthawk/Korth showed up at at one of the shooting stations, The action is like ice on ice. The owner of Korth was explaining to me the inner workings and the process to make the barrel. They don't skimp on anything. If you are looking for a $3500+ revolver to shoot (which I'm not) Korth would be the ticket)

diggler1833 · Jul 14, 2017

I'm sure that it is worth what someone is willing to pay for. I am also sure that they are well fitted, have great parts, and are without flaw.

That being said, I can take a LNIB P&R Smith of a popular model for 1/5th to 1/3rd of the price and spend an hour doing a thorough trigger job and cleaning/lubing ($3.50 parts for a 13lb Wolff rebound spring). My result is a sweet shooting gun with a 8-9lb double action pull and a 2-3lb single action pull and will pop primers consistently. I might not be Nighthawk gunsmith worthy or capable, but I have been blessed with enough of an ability to make a S&W feel like butter.

Plus, I just like the "soul" that the older Smiths have as holding one is a link to a time where we weren't surrounded by insanity.

Your money and desires however, and thank God we still have the freedom to pursue our own tastes.

Andyd · Jul 14, 2017

Lets get some facts straight, please

The new Korth revolvers from Lollar are CNC machined, with minimal hand fitting.

One of the advantages of the Korth double action is in the roller bearing on top of the trigger that can be changed to give different, yet very repeatable stacking. Extraction of spent cases is super smooth since the chamber surfaces are smoothened by pushing a steel bearing in and out, compressing the surfaces. The quality and fit is still a whole lot better than any gun from the Performance Center, and comparable to very early Colt Pythons and Registered Magnums.

I collect Korths from Ratzeburg and personally do not see a price tag of $3,500+ justified for a CNC machined revolver - but then I wouldn't want to own any revolver with a rail at a heavily discounted price.

lowriderfxr · Jul 15, 2017

HOUSTON RICK said:
OK, it is expensive to make, but what does it do that other handguns cannot do?

Respectfully , I think this question is like asking, what will a Rolex do that a Seiko won't ?

There always has been a market for what many consider the best of the best. I think it's no coincidence that this revolver was named after the animal that kills snakes.

clang444 · Jul 15, 2017

The guy in the video doesn't even know that K frame and L frame guns have the same grip frame.

Andyd · Jul 15, 2017

dwever said:
Well, besides the list of things mentioned in the video, if you read enough reviews, you come away thinking the gun gives both a truly unparalleled shooting experience, as well as unparalleled industrial design and manufacturing. That is highly significant. Reviewers also tend to also strongly defend the seemingly astronomical price just like the guy in this video.

I've only dry fired a Korth Mongoose and like all the reviewers reflect, it is an unbelievable experience, nothing else like it I'm aware of. I'll have the opportunity to shoot one in August.

I'll do an amateur review in August if not a little sooner.

Arguably Wilson Combat has demonstrated how judicious and selective use of high end CNC machining can take a firearm past hand-building and take the weapon to tolerances unobtainable by a craftsman. "Minimal hand fitting" is misleading. Relative to 1957 yes, but the best modern production processes know certain thing are done better by machine. Just like with WC, Korth continues to do other things in production by hand, such as fitment of the second cylinder if that is optioned. Reportedly Korth uses one gunsmith for each weapon.

I know what CNC machining can deliver and was in both Korth factories, I am disputing the value of the finished product that is made on machinery with less cost than hand fitting. Korth is owned by a company that produces high-end precision parts for the automotive industry.

Unfortunately, there are a couple of glitches. The Hogues are the only grips that will fit on the new revolvers, since the main spring is not allowing a regular screw for S&W grips to go through. Nill has in the meantime come up with wooden grips, at their usual price.

Having handled and shot both, I like the old revolvers much better.

CH4 · Jul 15, 2017

lowriderfxr said:
Respectfully , I think this question is like asking, what will a Rolex do that a Seiko won't?

Exactly! I'll take the Seiko, thank you. I played with the various models at SHOT. Nice, but not $3,500 nice. ymmv

Andyd · Jul 15, 2017

clang444 said:
The guy in the video doesn't even know that K frame and L frame guns have the same grip frame.

He is fairly ignorant about the revolvers and the 9mm isn't THE standard cartridge in Germany when it comes to revolvers. Germany's largest shooting association, the DSB, with about 1.4 million members has revolver competitions only in typical revolver cartridges, like .357 Magnum and .44 Rem Magnum. I have one 9mm conversion cylinder and ejection sucks, big time.

I had tried to explain the ATF import procedure and point system to the CEO of Korth when he had told me about the new Airmarshall and had pointed out that it is not importable. He did not believe me but you will not see the gun in the U.S. until Nighthawk assembles it

.

In the meantime, the parts for it are on display in the factory.

silversnake · Jul 15, 2017

clang444 said:
The guy in the video doesn't even know that K frame and L frame guns have the same grip frame.

I agree he phrased that poorly, but Grant Cunningham certainly knows K and L frame guns use the same grips. I own his books on revolvers and I know he mentions this at least once when discussing grip/frame sizes.

OLDSTER · Jul 15, 2017

Korth

Andyd said:
The new Korth revolvers from Lollar are CNC machined, with minimal hand fitting.

One of the advantages of the Korth double action is in the roller bearing on top of the trigger that can be changed to give different, yet very repeatable stacking. Extraction of spent cases is super smooth since the chamber surfaces are smoothened by pushing a steel bearing in and out, compressing the surfaces. The quality and fit is still a whole lot better than any gun from the Performance Center, and comparable to very early Colt Pythons and Registered Magnums.

I collect Korths from Ratzeburg and personally do not see a price tag of $3,500+ justified for a CNC machined revolver - but then I wouldn't want to own any revolver with a rail at a heavily discounted price.

WOW ! Beautiful collection andyd

Andyd · Jul 15, 2017

OLDSTER said:
WOW ! Beautiful collection andyd

Thanks. Some of those are among my best shooters, standing up to my cherished S&W revolvers and other premium handguns, like my Swiss P210s. I shoot those things and there isn't a week that one of my Korths isn't put to the test at the range.

Walkingwolf · Jul 15, 2017

HOUSTON RICK said:
OK, it is expensive to make, but what does it do that other handguns cannot do?

As far as an effective tool, probably nothing. But the same question can be asked of a Rolls Royce, what does it do that a Chevy Impala can't?

dwever · Jul 15, 2017

I went by Franklin guns a second time this morning and spent a half an hour with the Mongoose. As much as my respect for Grant Cunningham got me close to a purchase, I just did not see the Korth weapon, as amazing as it is, as 3.5 times better than my PC 586 L-Comp.

At $2,499 I would buy it. But at $3,499, it is going to take a little more time for me to either reason or rationalize the last thousand dollars.

-db- · Jul 15, 2017

I was surprised to hear a conversion cylinder bumps up the price another grand. That's a lot of dough for a mere cylinder.

oneounceload · Jul 15, 2017

The new Korth revolvers from Lollar are CNC machined, with minimal hand fitting.

Arguably the best shotgun made today is one from Fabbri in Italy. They make every single part in-house, including screws and springs. They were also at the forefront for using CNC and similar equipment years ago. Most folks use soft or silver solder to join their barrels; Fabbri uses cold laser welding so there's no heat distortion.

Point being, today's special equipment is capable of some amazing tolerances and functions.

iPac · Jul 15, 2017

Andyd said:
I know what CNC machining can deliver and was in both Korth factories, I am disputing the value of the finished product that is made on machinery with less cost than hand fitting. Korth is owned by a company that produces high-end precision parts for the automotive industry.

Unfortunately, there are a couple of glitches. The Hogues are the only grips that will fit on the new revolvers, since the main spring is not allowing a regular screw for S&W grips to go through. Nill has in the meantime come up with wooden grips, at their usual price.

Having handled and shot both, I like the old revolvers much better.

I love when you opine about the Korths, as I can tell your a serious enthusiast who studies and becomes proficient in the areas of hobby that interest you most. Like a true enthusiast should. Thus, making your comments and advice credible and actually hold weight.

I have no doubt the new Korths are a finely made firearm, but $3500 is getting up there for what it is. I would take that money and find nice a Ratze Korth from the '60s or '70s. Those Korths, and certain Reg.Mags, would be the two guns I put on par with my Pythons. Earlier Pythons, not the junk made during peak production of the late '70s into the '80s strike years. I would love to have an old 3" Ratze Korth, if they made 3".

Do the Ratze Korths have the same type of "cylinder" mainspring that the new ones have? I never had the chance to look inside an old Korth, but my "engineerical" mind would love to see how they tick though.

HOUSTON RICK · Jul 15, 2017

lowriderfxr said:
Respectfully , I think this question is like asking, what will a Rolex do that a Seiko won't ?

There always has been a market for what many consider the best of the best. I think it's no coincidence that this revolver was named after the animal that kills snakes.

Must be why I drive Fords and GMCs, I think in terms of good enough.

moosedog · Jul 15, 2017

I watched the video several times and I have seen and handled Korth's several times over the years and still can't see the justification in paying that kind of money for a gun that shoots no better than a tuned 27 or a 19.

Beginning To Understand Why A Korth Mongoose Revolver Is Worth $3,499

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