New Manurhin MR73: Is it Worth it?

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Homelander

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I have recently discovered that Berretta will now be importing the infamous French Manurhin MR73. It is a beautiful weapon and is said to be one of if not the best combat revolver in the world. But is it really worth the $3,300 price tag? Does it outdo, say the model 19, by such a margin that it would justify the purchase of a weapon that costs a bit more than 3x the amount of the k frame?
 

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If everything they say about it is true, then I'd say yes.

If I would have not purchased... Or just sell... the decent collection of budget and junk gear and guns that I've purchased over the last decade, I could easily buy it.

Maybe I still will.

I'm hitting the "buy once, cry once" phase of my life.
 
I'd use the money on an old Manurhin.

The new ones will not be as well made or use as good of materials in the design.
 
If I want a very fine firearm, I either spend the money, or, do not.

If I want maximum value, for the dollar, in a carry gun, I buy something like a “blue label” Glock. If it has to be a value-for-dollar revolver, well, GP100 and/or SP101. If I want a very fine firearm, I either spend the money, or, do not. There is no “is it worth it” questioning involved.

Being retired, and on a limited budget, my days of accumulating expensive weapons may be over, and I have enough Ruger revolvers to last a lifetime, but, if I want a Manurhin MR73, I will simply raid my nest egg, and just do it. (I might trade some disused auto-loading pistols, as I am losing faith in my aging hands to maintain a steady operating platform for auto-loading functioning, though, thus far, I have yet to induce a limp-wrist/numb-thumb malfunction, with a Glock G17.)

Regarding S&W K-Frames, well, S&W has done a very poor job of selling revolvers to me, since the MIM triggers and the key holes came along. A recent-production K-Frame is “worth” zero, to me. (Plus, I am seeing too many anecdotes of S&W revolvers with QC and durability issues.)
 
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Let’s get real, this is a glorified barbaque gun.

Looking at it in pragmatic terms it won’t be any better of a defensive revolver as a $500 Security Six or a $800 Model 19.

All it will do is make you sick once you see the rust on it after the police release it from the evidence locker, if you ever even see it again.

They were great and durable guns for the French police but if anyone out there thinks buying one will somehow turn you into a better shooter or that you’re any better armed, that’s silly.

Now if you want one as a collectible safe queen or a target guns that’s different.
 
From what I've researched, the new MR73 appears to be every bit as good as the older models as it is still being employed by the GIGN, meaning quality must not be sacrificed. I guess the draw to this gun is probably a mix between performance good enough for use by special forces, superb aesthetics (in my my opinion), and just the fact that you can say you are carrying a 3K dollar work of art on your hip. Very similar to why men would carry an elegant dueling saber or flintlock pistol in the days of old. Or why you'd opt to daily drive a Bugatti if funds would allow. Maybe being of French descent might have something to do with my draw to it, but I digress lol.
 
Homelander said:
From what I've researched, the new MR73 appears to be every bit as good as the older models as it is still being employed by the GIGN, meaning quality must not be sacrificed. I guess the draw to this gun is probably a mix between performance good enough for use by special forces, superb aesthetics (in my my opinion), and just the fact that you can say you are carrying a 3K dollar work of art on your hip. Very similar to why men would carry an elegant dueling saber or flintlock pistol in the days of old. Or why you'd opt to daily drive a Bugatti if funds would allow. Maybe being of French descent might have something to do with my draw to it, but I digress lol.
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In a recent video from Ian McCollum he states the MR73s are out of service and have not been used in any capacity in a number of years, much less in large quantities.

What are your sources the GIGN still employ the revolver on duty, much less these new commercial ones?
 
JCooperfan1911 said:
In a recent video from Ian McCollum he states the MR73s are out of service and have not been used in any capacity in a number of years, much less in large quantities.

What are your sources the GIGN still employ the revolver on duty, much less these new commercial ones?
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These articles say otherwise:

http://www.factfiend.com/the-special-operations-unit-who-still-use-revolvers-to-take-out-bad-guys/

https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-culture/gign-wields-manurhin-mr73-revolver/

They usually carry an MR73 in a addition to a semiautomatic if an operator chooses to do so. But they are still in use nonetheless.
 
Rexster said:
If I want a very fine firearm, I either spend the money, or, do not.

If I want maximum value, for the dollar, in a carry gun, I buy something like a “blue label” Glock. If it has to be a value-for-dollar revolver, well, GP100 and/or SP101. If I want a very fine firearm, I either spend the money, or, do not. There is no “is it worth it” questioning involved.

Being retired, and on a limited budget, my days of accumulating expensive weapons may be over, and I have enough Ruger revolvers to last a lifetime, but, if I want a Manurhin MR73, I will simply raid my nest egg, and just do it. (I might trade some disused auto-loading pistols, as I am losing faith in my aging hands to maintain a steady operating platform for auto-loading functioning, though, thus far, I have yet to induce a limp-wrist/numb-thumb malfunction, with a Glock G17.)

Regarding S&W K-Frames, well, S&W has done a very poor job of selling revolvers to me, since the MIM triggers and the key holes came along. A recent-production K-Frame is “worth” zero, to me. (Plus, I am seeing too many anecdotes of S&W revolvers with QC and durability issues.)
Click to expand...
I just bought a 357 S&W K-frame Carry Comp and it’s a beautiful gun but I would question whether it matches Ruger Redhawk quality. If you go to Buffalo Buffalo Bore’s website and look at some of their heavier loads, you’ll see the warning not to use them in a S&W. But lookswise, the S&W is still king. In all honesty, I really struggle with the aesthetics of the Super RedHawks.

It’s hard to believe that Manurhin is far superior (durability wise) to the Ruger Redhawks.
 
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Homelander said:
Anyone have any experience firing one?
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We are now at post #18 and have many comments but it appears that the majority basically repeated what they read or heard somewhere else, or give their personal opinion of value.
I have shot and owned Mulhouse and Chapuis manufactured MR73s and shot ISSF and action matches successfully for a couple of decades, for me the MR73 is worth the money.
I could also just get an Ikea table for the living room instead of a custom made table, it would serve the same purpose.

Suum cuique.
 
The question I have have is this: The MR73s are famous for their durability. You can put 100s of 1,000s of full house 357s thru them and reasonably expect your gun to continue a strict diet of more full house 357s without worrying if it’ll be there for you. Who could match this?

The only American gun manufacturer I think that could possibly match this durability with their wheelguns would be Ruger. Maybe?
 
jski said:
The question I have have is this: The MR73s are famous for their durability. You can put 100s of 1,000s of full house 357s thru them and reasonably expect your gun to continue a strict diet of more full house 357s without worrying if it’ll be there for you. Who could match this?

The only American gun manufacturer I think that could possibly match this durability with their wheelguns would be Ruger. Maybe?
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$35 for 100 rounds, $350 for 1,000 rounds, $3,500 for 10,000 rounds, $35,000 for 100,000 rounds.

I have a S&W22A that endured over 110,000 rounds of .22 l.r. when a brick of 550 was $7.97 to 9.97. The gun is still accurate but nowhere as much fun as a Hammerli 212, Korth Sport, or S&W K-22. The gun is the smallest part of the cost!
 
Let’s make this simple: Is there an American wheelgun that is as well made as the Manurhin MR73? Does S&W or Ruger or Colt use the same high quality tool steel that Manurhin uses? Is the design as well thought out as Manurhin‘s design? Is the fit-and-finish as well done as the Manurhin‘s? Is the final product as accurate and durable as Manurhin‘s?
 
jski said:
Let’s make this simple: Is there an American wheelgun that is as well made as the Manurhin MR73? Does S&W or Ruger or Colt use the same high quality tool steel that Manurhin uses? Is the design as well thought out as Manurhin‘s design? Is the fit-and-finish as well done as the Manurhin‘s? Is the final product as accurate and durable as Manurhin‘s?
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Made today? Or ever? The older S&W N frames would run full power .357’s and never quit.
My 28-2 dates to 1979-1980. Many of the internal parts were hand fitted. Recessed cylinders, top notch bluing and exceptional accuracy.
The only thing the French .357 has over an N frame is weight. The MR73 is 34 ounces, the N frames are over 40 ounces.
 
If I had the funds I'd buy a Korth and a Manurhin. Its like a really nice mechanical watch, some folks like 'em some folks use Timex. Gotta love the S&W guys, "my xx-x is just as good!" LOL
 
Homelander said:
Anyone have any experience firing one?
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Yes. I do not find it to be a better shooter than a Colt or Smith. Twiddling the dual strain screws was not an effective trigger adjustment. Just like a Smith, dial it down until it feels good and it gets into Federal only country. And for all the claims of durability, my Vienna PD surplus MR73 was definitely a USED gun with all the characteristics of a used Smith.

PzGren said:
I have shot and owned Mulhouse and Chapuis manufactured MR73s and shot ISSF and action matches successfully for a couple of decades,
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Great, you are the first I have heard to say so. Because I have never seen one in my theatre of operations. Price no object, I see people shooting $5000-$7000 automatics all the time, why would a revolver shooter not buy a $3300 revolver if it gave him a competitive advantage?

jski said:
high quality tool steel
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Sense free. "Tool steel" is an advertising term like "match grade." WHAT tool steel? My gunsmith would make everything out of A2 if he could.

loneviking said:
Recessed cylinders,
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And on the other side of the aisle, what good is a recessed cylinder on a .357 Magnum? I doubt there was ever any balloon head Magnum brass made and I doubt there was any folded head .38 Long Colt left by 1935. It is just another cranny to clean.
 
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