After a long wait Beretta USA came through with a new Manurhin MR73 with 5.25 inch bbl. Its a fabulous revolver --everything they say it is-- I consider it to be the ultimate K-frame because It's about the same size and K-frame speedloaders and holsters fit.

The downside to the gun is the beautiful high polish blue finish--I don't dare put it in a kydex holster. I do have an old Safariland holster for a K-frame with the suede lining even then I'm hesitant to holster it. A better option for durability would be the DLC finish found on the Korth Mongoose.

The action is adjustable two ways--it has two screws-- a standard slot screw to adjust the mainspring tension and a hex screw which adjusts the trigger return tension. You can tune it the way you like it.

Sights are partridge in the front and adjustable rear plain black the way I like it.

The trigger face is grooved and its sharp like a Colt. I much prefer a smooth radiused and polished trigger face for double action shooting. It has a trigger overtravel screw and there is no overtravel in SA or DA firing.

The Trausch grips may not be much to look at but they are very practical - the long tang at the top helps with recoil control when shooting .357 magnum ammo. Most of the time I shoot standard velocity .38 Special. I fired the gun at indoor range on a small NRA AP-2 target at 50 feet. Slow fire offhand double action with .38 Special 158 grain round nose lead and very happy with the groups.

Overall a superb revolver worthy of the accolades.

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That is my dream gun. The urge to sell off some of my current collection to get the funds for one is getting stronger every day.

You're not helping :-)

Any chance you can take a photo of the sight picture? Is it black front and back? I thought it was black front and two dot rear but that may have been older ones.

How would you rate the trigger pull double and single action in lbs?

I actually love the grips. Do they cover the back strap?

Last question how did you order it? Through a distributor or your FFL?

Thanks

I'm not sure how a gun that is supposed to be a week's wages is supposed to be a gun that is almost a month's wages.

When I'm an old man, technology will be advanced enough that all revolvers can be that nice for cheap. Unless the economy keeps going this way lol

How much does it weigh? It looks like it might compare more closely to an L frame.

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

Most of them have two dots on rear sight. Mine is all black which I like better
The trigger is infinitely adjustable — out of the box smooth 8.5 pounds. I got mine down to 6.5 but that means properly seated Federal primers for it to be reliable. Trigger return depends on what you like — for Action Pistol competition I prefer a “snappy” return. For distinguished revolver competition I like a lighter return.
The Trausch grips cover the back strap. You nan get wood grips from KN NilGriffe but bring $$$.
I ordered mine from Euro Optic they are a Beretta distributor and you’ll probably have to wait 6 to 9 months. Chapuis Armes makes the gun and they only make so many per day.

The inside of the gun is very similar to S&W. The rebound slide is on roller bearings and the cylinder disassembles like a Smith. With artillery grade tool steel and cold hammer forged barrel it’s very durable to say the least

Weight with 5.25 inch bbl is 36 oz

Did you order and then wait?

I thought they released a bunch on the US market last summer/fall and there haven't been any since then. Looking online it seems like most websites have as out of stock, back order with no timeline or scam sites. For some reason I thought they'd be doing a similar batch release sometime this year.

Congrats on your nice acquisition. Yes, it is closer in size to an L Frame. Mine came with the Nill Stocks. I have the trigger pull set at 4 & 1/2 lbs. for single action and 7 lbs. for double action.

The bluing is a real eye popper.

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What a K frame should be????? Your comparing a K frame to a gun that cost over 4 times more (and is frankly butt ugly). I hear the 2022 Corvette is what the Prius should be ?!?!?!?

I have 2 MR73 revolvers, a 3inch and a 5 1/4 357 target with extended sight length to make a 6 inch sight length.
I really like the Trausch grips.

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SWCA 1932 SWHF 135

Your price analysis is correct. I do not agree with you further comment(s). I owned a 1961 Corvette FI and a 1977 L82 Corvette. I also find the newer Corvettes nice to lay eyes upon.

Just to be sure: You think the MR73 is butt ugly?

Lamarw I think the new Vettes are awesome. I was taking the price thing a step further.

Love the Manurhin MR73, shooting a double action revolver league with the .357 right now. Was lucky to find a MR73 in .32 long last spring. Both have the factory boxes. Here are a couple pics of the .32. Kebco carries the MR73, Larry

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After looking at the price point I would come to the decision this is not for me. No criticism for those believing this is the one for them.

My needs have been based upon combat accuracy for so many years and satisfied with the choices made carrying an on duty sidearm. In the beginning of my law enforcement journey, my model 19 and then my 586 was just fine.

I would love to shoot one these revolvers for the chance to see the difference.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

I too would love to shoot one. just because I love to shoot! I'm loving my new Python 4.25", can't say its better than my old slick M27, or M19...just not the same. would like to see if MR73 is really another step up

The MR73 basically replaced the S&W Model 19 for the French. They loved the Model 19, but it wore out too quickly for the French GIGN training ritual, and they designed the MR73 after the Model 19 but using better steel, new design and hand production of each revolver. They were limited to only producing 400 per year due to availability of skilled craftsmen. I am not sure if the production rate has increased or not with the influx of Beretta's investment dollars. If it has, it begs the question of continued quality.

The MR73 is not only based on the S&W K frame but also incorporates some of the innovations that Willi Korth had put into his revolvers and the crane looks a lot like the HW7. It also has the adjustability of the mainspring added and had the trigger return spring improved over the years.
Any MR73 that has the serial number starting with HA is no longer a Mulhouse Manurhin gun but was made by Chapuis Armes.
Manurhin MR73s are quite commonly seen at German gun ranges and there are more than a few reports of quality issues with earlier Chapuis Armes revolvers but it looks as if Chapuis Armes has sorted those out.
I had one early Chapuis Armes 4" revolver and it was every bit as smooth and good as my Mulhouse guns.

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FFL08

Yes, lots of minor flaws and inconsistencies with the Chapuis MR73 revolvers, but contrary to my expectations things actually seem to have improved under Beretta management. They are now producing the 8" version again (the legendary GIGN "sniper" revolver) and I had the chance to check out a couple of those. Each and everyone was flawless, couldn't find anything. As these 8" guns are very recent production, current production quality appears to be very good.

I have an MR88, the poor man's version. Sort of Ruger Speed Six clone. I keep looking the used the MR73s but man those things are tired looking.

My understanding is they rank in this order: (Price Wise)

1. Janz: Twice as much as the Korth

2. Korth: Considerably more than the Manurhin MR73

3. Manurhin MR73: Bottom of the barrel LOL

Price wise they may but when it comes to shooting results, the S&W model 14 still holds the Bullseye record.

Yeah, I know, just a lame .38 S&W Special while real men need a .357 Magnum.

Having been exposed to a damn lot of guns in my life, the S&W 14-2 was the first centerfire handgun I ever bought. I bought it used and had a hard time paying for it but it is still the centerfire revolver all others are compared to when it comes to simple 25 meter offhand accuracy.

Money is best spent on ammo and having a good coach is priceless while the gun is a smaller part in the equation when it comes to performance, at least.

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FFL08

Bro, I have a 6" 14-3 with an over-travel stop. DA or SA, that thing is slick as a greased weasel.

My 14-2 had been borrowed by a friend who won a lot of state championships with it. With the wide serrated target trigger it is not my first choice for double action shooting but we are talking actually about the MR73 here. I also have to object to lamarw's statement that the MR73 is the "bottom of the barrel", and no loud laughs are necessary.

I referenced the crane of the HW7/9 in my earlier post and a HW9 .22 l.r. shoots along with every S&W K-22, M17, or Korth that I have ever shot.

The difference is in the built quality and that is where the Manurhin MR73 and - especially the Ratzeburg - Korths have an adavantage.

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FFL08

Okay so I'm NOT the only one! I find the lines of the K-frame quite smooth and symmetrical. While I am sure the M73 is a fine weapon, European revolvers have always looked more "industrial" than American designs, and this one does as well.

I know it's popular to malign modern American production, but the current Model 19 and Model 66 are beautifully shaped, and the added 0.25" barrel completes the leaner, longer look. Action wise, S&W does a mighty fine job of building serviceable, heirloom quality handguns for a fraction of what European revolvers cost.

Gee, next someone will post a photo of a Korth and claim it's better looking than the new model Colt Python...

While I don't claim nor care if the Korth looks better than the new Python, the action of the old Korth is smoother in double action and I can shoot it better. Scores are more important than looks to me.

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FFL08