Korth vs S&W? Are they worth the money?

My opinion is worth everything you pay for it, but it IS based on actual ownership and use of many older Smith, Colt and Ruger revolvers as well as a Kimber and a newer Korth revolver. They all shoot well and are pleasing to look at or I wouldn't keep 'em. The Korth is worth the money (not as an investment cuz I'll never sell it and I don't care what my son does with it later) as long as our needs are being met and we remain financially independent. If the cost was enough to impact this independence I would not have it. (Same applies to my Wilsons, Night Hawks, Guncrafters, Alien and Stacatto.)
Now, I'd love to own a current Benz AMG and a handful of Vette C2's - ain't gonna happen but I'm sure not knocking those products or the folks that can afford them, even though I think my F150 and Highlander will get us from point to point cheaper and probably more reliably.
Ramble over - just get what makes you happy within your budget.
Happy Shooting,
Ed
 
I can’t help but laugh at these threads. People don’t even know what they’re talking about. Calling a cylinder release a safety? Seriously?

Like I said before, high end guns aren’t for everyone. It’s just funny when people bash what they can’t afford or justify. I’ve been in the high end gun business for decades and I see it everywhere.

Nothing wrong with S&W, but thinking they’re anything remotely close to Korth is erroneous.
 
It seems like many of these regular Korth threads (not this one) are started by persons who own Korth revolvers and want others to know they own them.

That’s all good. I think it’s great for Korth owners to share their experiences. It’s no different than others sharing their experiences with S&W, Ruger, and the like.
 
If you want one and have the money.....

... give yourself a treat. But I do fine with vintage S&Ws. For a little extra money you can get a lightly used primo example. My pride and joy is my very lightly used model 686. It's an easy decision for me because there is no way I could afford a Korth in my present financial condition.
 
People seem to like to show off their stuff sometimes. Now if you collect a boatload of pop bottles and set up a Kool-aid stand to save up for a Korth, then I can respect that. Heck, that’s cool when one can scrimp & save for something nice. When I see a picture of a nice little pocket pistol on the end table with the BMW key fob and some expensive stinky cigar in the gold trimmed ash tray, with a little glass of expensive bourbon someone may just like props in the pic or may like to show off the fruit of his/her labors through the years. I will show a couple pictures of my top guns. Colt 38 special and a newer .357 S&W. Please don’t drool over my Colt revolver! The T Towel is the best photo prop!
 

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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.

A well thought out and in-depth perspective by 6string yet again, well done. I am proud to say I only own one S&W that I shoot monthly in the amount you describe. I shoot a box or so with my 686, although to be fair, not weekly as you mentioned in your post.

I think this post makes sense as to why someone would want something that is built to that task. I always learn something from your posts, thank you for that!
 
For the guns you are asking about there are other things to consider:
Availability of holsters.
Availability of spare parts.
Availability ( maybe ) of speed loaders that fit if you want any.
Replacement grips.
Resale. Very, very limited market. The number of people who could or would spring for the money to buy one even at half the retail price is a tiny amount.
If you need to have work done, finding a GOOD gunsmith that is familiar with them and is willing to do the work could be a problem.
I wouldn’t consider getting one for myself at all, but that’s just me.
If you are looking for new production revolvers, give the Kimber’s some consideration. High quality from what I read. I have no personal experience with them myself, but they are reputed to be a step above anything else out there that is new production. Somewhat higher priced than other American double-action revolvers, but may be worth every penny.

The only thing to be considered is if you have the experience to know what you are talking about.

You do not.
 
There are many positive reviews on the Korth revolvers on YouTube, whether they are genuine reviews I don’t know. I had a chance to hold one yesterday. It was a 3” mongoose for $4,000. I wasn’t allowed to test the trigger or turn the cylinder. With that, it didn’t look or feel any better when compared to a S&W.

I realize this is subjective, but can anyone share their candid thoughts on whether they think the Korth revolvers are worth the money? Especially when compared to S&W offerings?

I sold my Pythons and Purchased a Korth Mongoose and haven't looked back. Very precision piece. The hold their value well. Picture of mine that i received through GI.
 

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If you are looking for new production revolvers, give the Kimber’s some consideration. High quality from what I read. I have no personal experience with them myself, but they are reputed to be a step above anything else out there that is new production. Somewhat higher priced than other American double-action revolvers, but may be worth every penny.

I noticed a lady shooting a Kimber K6 at the range one day. I asked to borrow it and loaded some .38 special rounds in it. VERY nice to shoot. Smooth and comfortable. They are fine hand guns.
 
Honestly, I think they are ugly. It's kinda like owning one of those Mercedes G wagons. Ugliest car I've ever seen and I still see one on occasion sitting next to the freeway waiting on a tow truck.
 
In the early ‘90s I was issued a Ruger GP100 and we shot thousands of magnum rounds through them during our lengthy academy. USBP had a reputation for shooting skills and the academy made sure it was upheld. I don’t know anyone from any class who ever had any issues with those guns, even out in the field in the dirt and muck. I have a couple dozen Colts and Smiths (all top notch shooters) and only one Ruger now, but I have zero worries about that Ruger going “bang”. I guess I say that because the Ruger is probably the least expensive of the bunch, but built like a tank. Like a big girl at prom, ugly but functional…
 
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You can still get a bill davis PPC revolver on auction sights for under 2,000.

its not going to shoot any worse than that korth.
 
Just one of those simple things…if you have to ask, the answer is “no”.

If you perceive the value there, it is. If not, you can’t be convinced otherwise.
 
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