406lawdawg
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I saw and ad for a Manurhin MR73 357 pistol, they said it was the top of the line. Why can't Smith and Wesson produce a hand fitted and finished 568 in comparison.
High Grade Smith and Wesson
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They can; but don't because not too many people want to pay that much for show.
elgatodeacero
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The current Manurhins start at $4200.
This is triple to quadruple, or more, of most current S&W offerings.
This is the same as asking why can't Toyota make a super high performance sports car like a Porsche 911 GT3 RS? I am sure they could. But if you want a Porsche, get a Porsche.
This is triple to quadruple, or more, of most current S&W offerings.
This is the same as asking why can't Toyota make a super high performance sports car like a Porsche 911 GT3 RS? I am sure they could. But if you want a Porsche, get a Porsche.
Venom6
Member
Thought I spoke pretty good S&W, but I guess not. WTH is a model 568?
Yendor357
Member
The 568 is that new model for those with dyslexia nervosa.
Well these days how do "they" judge a top of the line revolver. I carried and shot many revolvers over a 39 year career, and still do, but not anywhere near the "old days" extent. My favorite factory revolvers were the 14-5/6s with the full underlug. I probably have 8-9 of them 4" and 6". The 4" guns were put together by the P/C and really couldn't be improved on very much beside some fine tuning of the action depending on the ammunition you are shooting. All these could have been improved by a factory narrowed and radiused trigger, making double action shooting easier. Possibly a slightly different cylinder release. Not one of those humongous things but like TK Custom makes for the J-frame. But I am being picky.
Those things being said, its all about accuracy as far as I am concerned. I really don't know how accurate these guns are. I never put one in a ransom rest. But I know they are capable of shooting 1-1.5" groups at 25 yards and 2-3" at 50 yards and that is shooting several different positions and left/right handed during competition. So I would believe a ransom rest would be a bunch better. I know guys that had equally accurate L-frames and I imagine bullseye shooters could do the same with the older 14s. Granted maybe not every gun, but most I had were equal to that accuracy.
I knew several good shooters where money was "NO" object, so I have to believe if one of the Manurhins was superior they would have had one. Even the European shooters I knew shot Smith and Wessons in the stock gun events. I shot one of the Manurhin 22s and it was fine, but the action was not to my liking.
I guess its like the Timex Ironman, that actually keeps better time than a Rolex but doesn't draw any attention type thing. As far as looks go , I think these look pretty good, for a couple old service guns..
I do acknowledge that my guns are way over 25 years old. I agree that not much to get excited about these days. Maybe good things are coming it seems....
Those things being said, its all about accuracy as far as I am concerned. I really don't know how accurate these guns are. I never put one in a ransom rest. But I know they are capable of shooting 1-1.5" groups at 25 yards and 2-3" at 50 yards and that is shooting several different positions and left/right handed during competition. So I would believe a ransom rest would be a bunch better. I know guys that had equally accurate L-frames and I imagine bullseye shooters could do the same with the older 14s. Granted maybe not every gun, but most I had were equal to that accuracy.
I knew several good shooters where money was "NO" object, so I have to believe if one of the Manurhins was superior they would have had one. Even the European shooters I knew shot Smith and Wessons in the stock gun events. I shot one of the Manurhin 22s and it was fine, but the action was not to my liking.
I guess its like the Timex Ironman, that actually keeps better time than a Rolex but doesn't draw any attention type thing. As far as looks go , I think these look pretty good, for a couple old service guns..
I do acknowledge that my guns are way over 25 years old. I agree that not much to get excited about these days. Maybe good things are coming it seems....
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406lawdawg
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Sorry, 586.
Great gun I own two, I would think one hand assembled with deep bluing from the performance center would go over well.
Great gun I own two, I would think one hand assembled with deep bluing from the performance center would go over well.
The Performance Center built great guns........... back in the 90s!!
Venom6
Member
My last duty revolver in the early 80's was a 4" 686. Later gave it to my son. I've replaced it twice, and have other .357s, but the LGS has a 4" 586 that is whispering to me. Make it stop.
Lt.Donn
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I agree completely...my personally tuned and customized 686 shoots better than I am capable...and for a whole bunch less than the Manhurin...so for me, it would only be for the beautiful fitting and appearance that I could appreciate the extra cost.
StrawHat
Member
S&W has produced some truly outstanding revolvers. The New Century, the Registered Magnum, the Model 1950 Target revolvers are the first that come to mind. Each involved a lot (but progressively less) hand fitting. And each was priced accordingly. Today's revolvers are well fitted but all can benefit from some hand fitting. The decision is, do you want to pay to have it done or can you do it yourself? As far as finishes, I care about group sizes, not how fancy my revolver looks. But, that is why there is usually more than one horse in a race.
Kevin
Kevin
Where the Manurhin shines is metallurgy. When they first made this weapon for the French Police ; every officer coming on duty had to go to the range and shoot 50 duty magnums before starting the shift. That is thousands of magnum rounds and the fun holds up. I has a 3" ex police gun that was still accurate and tight as a drum. Most American guns will never see that level of use.
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406lawdawg
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I just wonder that some day I would be looking around in my local gun show and low and behold I see premium 586 4 inch royal quality bluing and smooth trigger from Smith and Wesson.
A lot of the MR73 legend is probably just that, legend.
The MR73 gained same due to use by the GIGN, who had armorers who were probably pretty close to being master gunsmiths to keep them running (to be fair, so did some large US departments like LAPD back in the revolver days). The MR73's cylinder stop torsion spring design does not take kindly to high volumes of rapid DA fire. Caleb Gidding's T&E MR73 broke in "1371 rounds" and "double that in dry fire reps." Others have reported less than stellar durability in similar shooting.
A basic L-frame may not be as pretty, but it'll probably withstand rapid splits better.
I've heard it said that the MR73 was known for being less durable in general French police service than the Ruger-ish MR88. A bit like how the Python had a reputation for going out of time more easily than a K-frame or Service Six.
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Rock185
US Veteran
The MR73 looks like a revolver the French would design. If the 586 and MR73 were the same price, I'd still buy the 586....
I'm talking about frame integrity.
