Bonjour

It is time to set another chapter of Swissman's serie "UNAMERICAN HANDGUNS" on this great forum. The title is not correct, but it got some tradtion. So I'll keep it.

In 1973 has the french industry-group Manurhin brought out the high-quality Revolver MR 73. The shooters, the police and other security-related groups (almost in Europe)
asked for more variations of this really great gun. So Manurhin developped on the base of the MR 73, 3-inch defense-guns, 9- and 10-inch versions with optical sights
for SWAT-teams and sillhuette-sport, duty-guns with fixed sights for snagfree drawing, etc.. The accuracy of this construction was so good, that they produced a
target-version in .32 S&W long, to attack the then new and highly respected german Walther GSP sportpistol.

Back in 1977 Manurhin announced, that they will bring out a .22 l.r.-sportversion too. But it was 1985, until this version found its way to the gundealers.
But, almost ten years changed a lot in this world. Also in the world of the shooting sport. So this great accurate .22-revolver came to late and was an answer to a
question which was forgotten since quiet a while. The gun was pretty expensive back then. The pricetag shows CHF 1886.-- which was back in 1986 US$ 665.--. (Now
with the actual rate this gun would cost US$ 2027.--. ) That was a lot of money back then, and in between Haemmerli, Walther, FAS, Feinwerkbau etc. has taken over
the .22 l.r. handgun-shootingworld with the now so famous and accurate sportpistols.

The MR .22 - Match which I can show here, lays on the shelf of a Swiss gundealer since 1985. And nobody asked for it. Slowly but surley was this gun forgotten.
I walked more than 25 years later into this shop to buy some reloading stuff. While I payed, I asked what is in this blue box, because I knew that kind of blue, from
my other Manurhin-revolvers, but I found nowhere a Manurhin in the shop. When they climbed up to pick the box, there came a lot of dust down with the box. The box
was opened on the desk, and I had to smile. I checked the the gun, then we had a little discussion about the price. The dealer gave me a great discount and my resistance
was gone. The visit in this gunshop was a bit more expensive than I had planned that morning. But the gundealer gave more than 1500 Eley Tenex with the gun to ease
my pain a bit.

So I am (really) happy to present you here the unusual Manruhin MR .22 "Match", which is based on the frame and lockwork of the MR 73. This accurate little
Single-Action-Only-version, is a great addition to my Manurhin-collection wich includes the MR 73, the MR 88 and the MR 93. All those other french guns are
chambered for the all-american .357 Magnum.











The first six rounds while I adjusted he sight...


...and a one-hand-group of five rounds. Pretty hard with a back that hurts since friday.....



I hope the story was not to long and the pictures of this "UNAMERICAN HANDGUN" are informative enough.

Swissman

Grammatical considerations aside, I think it appropriate that you continue with your tradition. If handguns could be said to have a disposition, I would think that one about as "UnAmerican" as one could be.

The test target is certainly outstanding. It looks to be a 1/2-inch group, or even less. I've never seen anything even close to that from my K22s in shooting them without the aid of a mechanical rest. The pics show interesting construction details, including the heroic rear sight. If it wasn't a revolver, the whole mess could be said to appear to be "straight off a rocketship!"

Congratulations on your new purchase. Judging from the story, you must have become a victim of the proverbial hexenschuss. Perhaps when that aching back improves we will see those offhand groups improve a little too.

A very interesting and informative post.. Keep doing the Unamerican gun thing, it is very interesting.

Got one question though. How does that critter work for concealed carry?
Just kidding.

__________________
Eccentric old coot

That is one "cool" looking gun! Great pictures also!

__________________
Still Running Against the Wind

I always wondered if they shot nicely. Now I know, thanks. Larry

I forgot to show you all the possible adjustment of the trigger-related characteristics...



Swissman

Kind of surprised that the chambers are not recessed for the rimfire cartridge.

Oh, Boy! Could I have a lot of fun with that!!

This sunday was my back much better. I grabbed my MR-22 and checked out what is possible with the gun.
I got some 47 to 49-point-slowfire-series with the given Eley Tenex.
But i got a big disadvantage in relation to the modern semi-auto-sportpistols, if the competition has
a serie-fire-programm (5 in 30 seconds or 4 in 30 seconds). So I tried what is possible with this french gun.

This is what I can do with this little french shooting-machine.
It needs a lot of concentration to cock the hammer fast and secure with the left thumb and find the same
position again for the next shot. But I guess I will choose this gun for a (not so important)
competiton in the upcoming season.... .

It will be funny to look at the face of the shootingrange-officer, when I unpack my "sport-pistol" .



Swissman

Good Sunday-Morning to all!

I hope this sequel is a bit interesting for you.
I know that we got some members here who try hard to forget about this thread.
Maybe you like to see the new grips of the Manurhin MR-22.

I've ordered some Nill-Grips direct in Germany. They are fore sure not cheap.
But to find another grip-maker who produces grips for the MR-73-frame, is
almost impossible. There are much to less MR-73 out there.

I wrote to Nill, that I'd like a dark wood and they made it right the way I like it.
With all the shipping cost and the custom-expenses was it almost US$ 180.--.
It is pretty much, but I want it now.

So what do the members think about the look and fit of the new grips and the new look of the MR-22?










More about the fabulous Manurhin , is posted here: MADE IN FRANCE ... GET THE SUNGLASSES!!

Swissman