One of the original qualities that Willi Korth sought for his revolvers is that they would be long term investments, primarily for the domestic German market and also Europe.
Americans are accustomed to living in an "instant gratification" society, with an emphasis on easy aquisition of "stuff".
How many of you S&W guys have only ONE revolver, and that being your primary day-to-day shotting iron?
Not many, I bet.
IF there are any such members here, how many of you shoot that ONE revolver 100-200 rounds per week?
Anyone?
European gun ownership is an onerous venture. Every step is difficult.
-Imagine having to first join a gun club, as a prerequisite to applying for a permit to own a handgun.
-Imagine that, too, you are required by the club and your country that you must be an active member that participates in a set number of matches and/or qualifications to maintain your membership and permit. Permits and membership require annual renewal, or they are cancelled and you lose your guns.
-You might very well be allowed one centerfire handgun. What would you select that would stand up to the above qualifications?
Keep in mind that if you need service or parts you must usually acquire a special permit to ship your gun to a gunsmith. There might only be one guy who fixes all the guns of a particular brand in your country.
But, you say,"I can do my own work." OK, how do you get parts? Do you think S&W or Brownell's is going to mail handgun parts to your foreign address??
Korths and Manurhins are expensive for a reason. Every part is typically machined from very hard steels. Those parts are then carefully fitted so they don't work against each other. There's no room for the small, inexpensive "expendable" parts intended to take the load, periodically break, then quickly replaced, as is typical in America.
Unlike, say, a Colt Python (as nice as it may be in its own context), you don't have be afraid of shooting your Korth, and shooting it A LOT!
Presumably, some of you know the story about the legendary GIGN, the elite French SWAT unit? They train every day, firing 150-200 shots of full power 357 magnum a day. Very quickly, they found out the S&W M19 was not up to the job.
Along came the Manurhin mr73.
The original Korth fulfilled that same role for the serious civilian market.
Just something to keep in mind before disparaging Korths or Manurhins as nothing more than expensive, luxury toys for rich guys.
*ADDENDUM: I didn't intend this to be a response to the post immediately above mine, as I didn't read it until I had already submitted the above post.
Nonetheless, it's ironic to note that it is a counterpoint worth possibly considering.
As for the market, the demand for Korths has always exceeded the supply. Cabela's will never offer them as a Black Friday "doorcrasher" special.
