Manurhin and Korth ... what's the big deal ?

[model3sw]

A few times over the past 3 years, mostly with older guys new to collecting, going bonkers for Korth and Manurhin.

Looking at them, say in .357 Magnum caliber ... I don't get it. I am so thrilled with a RM or a nice pre 27s, why mess with either of the ugly ducklings when a Model 27 is top of the heap ? (well, to me, anyway).

 

[BlackTalonJHP]

Where else are you going to go for a revolver covered in picatinny rails?

I don't see why they command such high prices myself. The only thing I can think of is the exclusivity factor. Kind of like people buying Ferraris and Lamborghinis when the Corvette ZR1 is just as fast.

 

[Shark Bait]

I agree. I'll stick with my Smiths.

 

[model3sw]

Where else are you going to go for a revolver covered in picatinny rails?

I don't see why they command such high prices myself. The only thing I can think of is the exclusivity factor. Kind of like people buying Ferraris and Lamborghinis when the Corvette ZR1 is just as fast.

My long barrel S&W 500 Mag has enough of them to get the job done (and break your arm if you hold it wrong). But seriously, the prices are staggering and they "ain't all that and a bag of chips".

 

[jmr986]

Why pick only one?



Love my Smiths. I have 2 more .357s not pictured, and just got a semi pro series. But there is a difference in build, and price, between the Smith and Korth. The gap is lessened if you compare the 27-2 or the Python. Typical German over engineering.

The Mongoose was on my bucket list, next up I hope, a 29-2 6 1/2. Plus, I got my Korth from a 1911 guy, who after he put a few rounds through it decided he was still a 1911 guy. Got a HUGE discount, cuz he wanted to buy another high end 1911. Well below market, it was a deal I couldn’t refuse. Don’t know if they’re exclusive, there’s 19 on GB right now. Finding one that’s affordable, that’s the hard part. BTW the Python cost me more.

 

[Absalom]

With Korth, it is definitely the exclusive, custom-made factor. It belongs in the same category as Swiss watches.

With the Manurhin, the objective factor which led the French to abandon S&W and have Manurhin develop their own revolver for the police and especially the anti-terrorist GIGN was durability.

When the (somewhat legendary) French police trainer, and President de Gaulle’s bodyguard and confidante, Raymond Sasia, trained with the FBI in the 1960s and brought modern combat techniques to France, he insisted on all practice with full-power .357 loads. At first they imported S&W K-frames (I don’t think RM’s were considered ). S&W actually produced a special French contract 3” Model 19. But these simply came apart too soon with a steady magnum diet.

The outcome was the development of the MR73. I’ve never owned one, but apparently you can shoot it with full power magnum loads until your hands fall off without ill effects on the gun. The GIGN still used these revolvers decades after the rest of the world switched to semi-autos.

Of course, if you DON’T shoot magnums all day, you’re just buying a high quality revolver that’s not American for a change. That’s entirely your pleasure

 

[Irn-Bru]

People buy what they like, it's all about what you can comfortably afford. I'm sure there's guys carrying Charter Arms and Taurus revolvers that think the gun they carry is just as good as any S&W. I don't own a Korth, but some of there old revolvers look fantastic.

 

[Laketime]

I feel the same way about Pythons and King Cobras. Never owned Python , but I did buy a brand new king Cobra in bright polished stainless.No way that gun is worth the money it gets today. Handeled a six inch Python with a scope last week , again I don't get the asking price . A pre model 29 is a much better gun for the same money.

 

[BlackTalonJHP]

People buy what they like, it's all about what you can comfortably afford. I'm sure there's guys carrying Charter Arms and Taurus revolvers that think the gun they carry is just as good as any S&W. I don't own a Korth, but some of there old revolvers look fantastic.

The crazy thing about Charter, Taurus or Cobra is that they don't cost much less and sometimes just as much as a S&W 642 or 442. They offer some revolvers in 9mm and .40S&W that S&W doesn't and that would be my only reason to look at them.

 

[smithrjd]

Then one can be really different Chiappa.. (SP)

 

[Echo40]

The crazy thing about Charter, Taurus or Cobra is that they don't cost much less and sometimes just as much as a S&W 642 or 442. They offer some revolvers in 9mm and .40S&W that S&W doesn't and that would be my only reason to look at them.

I'm not sure whether your local gun shops have terrible pricing or you're simply one of those folks who considers a couple hundred dollars difference in price negligible, but in my experience, Charter/Taurus are considerably cheaper than Smith & Wesson when it comes to Revolvers.
At the very least, Taurus Revolvers on average cost $100 less than a Smith & Wesson Revolver, and at most a S&W costs roughly DOUBLE the price of a Taurus.

 

[TomkinsSP]

Then one can be really different Chiappa.. (SP)

No need. Just hold your J frame upside down and fire it with your pinky. Just like Jerry Miculek. Good to 200 yards.

 

[BlackTalonJHP]

I'm not sure whether your local gun shops have terrible pricing or you're simply one of those folks who considers a couple hundred dollars difference in price negligible, but in my experience, Charter/Taurus are considerably cheaper than Smith & Wesson when it comes to Revolvers.
At the very least, Taurus Revolvers on average cost $100 less than a Smith & Wesson Revolver, and at most a S&W costs roughly DOUBLE the price of a Taurus.

You can get a 442 or 642 on GB for $320. Where can I get a Taurus 85 Ultralite or Charter Undercover for $160?

Edited to add: My LGS do have terrible pricing with 642/442s running around $500

 

[Zipdog]

You can get a 442 or 642 on GB for $320. Where can I get a Taurus 85 Ultralite or Charter Undercover for $160?

Edited to add: My LGS do have terrible pricing with 642/442s running around $500

Rural King had the Taurus 85 for $169 not too long ago.

 

[Ματθιας]

A few times over the past 3 years, mostly with older guys new to collecting, going bonkers for Korth and Manurhin.

Looking at them, say in .357 Magnum caliber ... I don't get it. I am so thrilled with a RM or a nice pre 27s, why mess with either of the ugly ducklings when a Model 27 is top of the heap ? (well, to me, anyway).

Because it's the "look-at-how-much-I-spent-on-a-firearm-I'll-never-shoot" BBQ-gun bragging.

 

[smithrjd]

I have fun at the range with a 102 year old S&W, only a 22LR. I shoot at 25 yards most shoot at 10 yards. 1916 22/32 HFT. It's my BBQ bragging pistol.

 

[bulletslap]

My MR73 is as smooth as pre model number S&W, with better materials. Not as attractive as a S&W but smooth and extremely durable and accurate.

 

[CLASSIC12]

The MR 73 is a beautiful and extremely well built revolver. The blueing is amazing, like liquid metal.

I already have several S&W and Colts. It’s about diversity. Now Korth, that’s a bit rich for my taste.

Manurhin MR 73

 

[OLDSTER]

I've owned a pair pf Manurhin MR73's over the years. Beautiful revolvers, but IMHO, an early Python or S&W 19, are every bit the quality, and fit and finish revolver. However, folks that love them ( and the Korth) are certainly buying the worlds best; just that the S&W, Colt ( and even the early Dan Wessons) also qualify for that category. Just personal taste and like automobiles, etc.

 

[Laketime]

Rural King had the Taurus 85 for $169 not too long ago.

That's a steal. In my area used Taurus revolver are selling for $275 and up.