Korth 357 & 44Mag

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Still love my 1996 Tacoma I bought for seven Grand cash in 2004 running great with 400,000 miles.

I really appreciate the outstanding perspectives from many of you here especially the folks who actually owned or shot Korths.
The point about how much a better gun will do for various people in their hands is an excellent observation. But I agree also that some guns just shoot better and will make anyone likely more accurate such as Freedom Arms guns compared to Rugers, etc.

I also like the comment about the Reek of quality:evil:
The most interesting was the stuff about the Ratzenberger and other older model Korths.

I would seriously like to hear more about those and how I would go about finding one please.

Regarding 44 Magnum it probably dropped out of the conversation because as far as I know there is only one Korth 44 Magnum so it's much easier to draw a comparisons to 357's. I sure love me some 44 magnum though:evil:
 
two shanks said:
Would I sell a Dan Wesson and Smith and Wesson to fund a Korth. Yes in a minute. There is the Ratzeburg Korth and the Lollar Korth made today. The Lollar Korth is a really neat revolver. You can buy one on Egun and have it imported if the Nighthawk logo bothers you. Are they worth it yes they are. Opinion based on personal experience and ownership with these guns.
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I would very much like to know more about the Lollar and Ratzenburg Korths
I'd like to see what they look like to find out anything about them and where I could get one please and what you like about them
 
Paul7 said:
I don't care for the look or prices of the new Korths, cheap looking rubber grips on the Mongoose, really? I have a 1967 Ratzeburg Korth in .22 that has exceeded my expectations more than any other high end gun I've had. The deep bluing, close tolerances, trigger, the way the cylinder is easily removed for cleaning, just the whole package blows away a S&W .22 I used to have. The European walnut target grips fit my hand like no other. I like the cleaner look of these early ones, with no knob by the hammer or underlug. Supposedly the later ones have a better DA pull, but mine is pretty good and I rarely shoot DA anyway. Of course accuracy is great. Kind of cool having a gun Willi Korth himself probably worked on. These can be had for about $2K, less than a high end 1911. If I was in the market for a Korth .357 I'd look for one of the blued Ratzeburg guns, very unlikely you'd ever wear one out.

Always make me laugh when people say that's too much money, when if you added up all their plastic guns they could buy a bunch of Korths, and many will spend $50K on a truck that is a depreciating asset.

Speaking of Rolex, they aren't a bad investment, apart from how well made they are. I have my dad's inherited Datejust, worth about 3X what he paid for it, an Explorer II 16570, built like a tank, completely waterproof, 21 years old and amazingly keeping dead on time, i.e. at most it may gain a couple seconds a month. Under the radar look, have never had one comment on it, which is fine with me. Worth a couple thousand more than I bought it for. I bought my wife a Datejust less than three years ago that today sells for $1K+ more than I paid for it, if you can find one.

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I would very much like to hear more about the various types of older Korths and where I can find one and anything about them including pictures etc I would greatly appreciate pictures of your revolvers especially 357 you have and I agree that I do not want a mongoose and honestly I don't mind the look of the more modern ones at least the ones though that have wood grips I would not get one of their plastic gripped guns I agree on that but I'd like to find out more about the older models please and how I could possibly track one down
 
Huntolive said:
I would very much like to know more about the Lollar and Ratzenburg Korths
I'd like to see what they look like to find out anything about them and where I could get one please and what you like about them
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What I like about them is the quality and the beautiful workmanship and hand fitting. The ratz Korths were forged parts all hand fitted. The Lollar have more cnc machined parts. There is a wealth of info on the net from people more knowledgeable than me. The ratz Korths are harder to find. The Lollar model is still being made and Nighthawk is the US importer. Im pretty sure you can purchase directly from them. There are some of each model on GB also.
 
Huntolive said:
I would very much like to know more about the Lollar and Ratzenburg Korths
I'd like to see what they look like to find out anything about them and where I could get one please and what you like about them
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Look on Gunbroker, there are some Ratzeburg .357 Korths for sale now ranging from $2,990 on up to the price range of the new Korths.

I like how my Korth has absolutely no 'play' or wiggle anywhere, and the metal seams on the frame are barely visible they're so tight.

Are other guns just as accurate? Maybe, but I would think Korths are more consistently great in that department, have never heard of one that wouldn't shoot. Other makers seem to be hit or miss. I'm not the greatest shot and use 62 year old eyes, but the group on the left below is well under 1", six shots at 30' off a sandbag.

Korth thumbnail_IMG_2389.jpg
 
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To CraigC: I hope you didn't think I was bragging about Rolex, Korth or anything else, as that was never my intention. I agree that I buy stuff solely for my own enjoyment and not to impress others.
 
Rodentman said:
To CraigC: I hope you didn't think I was bragging about Rolex, Korth or anything else, as that was never my intention. I agree that I buy stuff solely for my own enjoyment and not to impress others.
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No, not at all. I love the stuff and I like talking about it. I'm almost as happy in the watch store as I am the gun shop. Sometimes even more so. Some folks just sometimes take it the wrong way. ;)
 
Huntolive said:
I would very much like to hear more about the various types of older Korths and where I can find one and anything about them including pictures etc I would greatly appreciate pictures of your revolvers especially 357 you have and I agree that I do not want a mongoose and honestly I don't mind the look of the more modern ones at least the ones though that have wood grips I would not get one of their plastic gripped guns I agree on that but I'd like to find out more about the older models please and how I could possibly track one down
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You find the info here
Collectible and useable Revolver advice | Page 2 | The High Road

Well finished inside, where it counts for a shooter
Korth_inside.jpg
Above is the typical post 69 action with the long spring. Pre69 Korths do not have the bdouble action roller and a shorter spring, as well as the Korth made grips that look like a kindergarten project..
iEN2kmrh.jpg

Top competitors in Germany have used Korths and MR73s for decades and the best example to show how well the finish holds upp is the first Korth that I bought used in 2008 and have hauled to the range and shot pretty regularly on a weekly basis. The Ratzeburg Korths really shine in .22 l.r.!

Korth-24615.jpg
 
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[QUOTE="Paul7, post: 11955030, member: 66261"Maybe, but I would think Korths are more consistently great in that department, have never heard of one that wouldn't shoot.

View attachment 1002917[/QUOTE]

It's a numbers game. I have had enough Korths go through my hands to find one rare .32 S&W Long that apparently left the factory with a poorly cut forcing cone. Accuracy was not what I expected.

That's a .32 revolver with a 9mm bullet in the forcing cone
xTiYncOh.jpg
 
Hey guys I can't find any ratz or lolar versions available for less than $6,000 which seems like a totally absurd price.
I checked GunBroker and guns international and found virtually nothing except the new models or ridiculous prices.

Where can anyone find anything like a reasonable deal on lightly used Korth?
 
Huntolive said:
Hey guys I can't find any ratz or lolar versions available for less than $6,000 which seems like a totally absurd price.
I checked GunBroker and guns international and found virtually nothing except the new models or ridiculous prices.

Where can anyone find anything like a reasonable deal on lightly used Korth?
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Are you entering 'Korth .357' in Gunbroker? I'm seeing two Ratzeburg models for under $3K.
 
I he;d one today at my local gun shop.
Very nice, they went with the S&W type cylinder release on some of them.
Not $5,000 nice

At least not in my income bracket. But it was very sweet
 
CraigC said:
I guess so, if you're stuck on double actions. My problem with Korth isn't the asking price, I understand what goes into them. My problem is what you're getting. My idea of a $5300 revolver looks nothing like this.

View attachment 1002677


But more like this:

View attachment 1002678
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I have to totally agree. I'm sure Korths are great, but some look like they're out of a Mad Max film. Those singles are beautiful. I'd also suggest to the OP that he consider a Manurhin; better looking than the Korths.
 
Archangel14 said:
I have to totally agree. I'm sure Korths are great, but some look like they're out of a Mad Max film. Those singles are beautiful. I'd also suggest to the OP that he consider a Manurhin; better looking than the Korths.
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When looks count less than performance and reliability, the Lollar Korths should be considered again. There are a few too many complaints with new Chapuis Armes MR73s around.

Mahurin MR73 | Page 2 | Glock Forum - GlockTalk
 
Targa said:
I am with the owner of the MR73, for that price I wouldn’t have taken it apart either….right back to the manufacturer it would go!!
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I would just want to analyze the problem myself and know with certainty where the problem lies. The price paid for the gun would not matter so much to me as it could be a very minor problem. Similar problems happen on S&W revolvers and I have had a Sauer & Sohn Medallion with the same issue, very minor for a gun guy to analyze and fix.
 
This is only an opinion , from a guy who has never shot a korth (I have handled a few).

It depends if you desire the revolver as an itch you need scratched or as a status symbol. Either way, unless you're a world class shooter there is little chance you could notice or take advantage of the potential accuracy. Realize and understand that an excellent shooter will still outshoot you with something like a $300 eaa windicator, it's just the way it is. If you truly were capable of utilizing the korths full potential you wouldn't need to ask anyone if it's worth buying.

I could be wrong but that's how I see it.
 
Obturation said:
This is only an opinion , from a guy who has never shot a korth (I have handled a few).

It depends if you desire the revolver as an itch you need scratched or as a status symbol. Either way, unless you're a world class shooter there is little chance you could notice or take advantage of the potential accuracy. Realize and understand that an excellent shooter will still outshoot you with something like a $300 eaa windicator, it's just the way it is. If you truly were capable of utilizing the korths full potential you wouldn't need to ask anyone if it's worth buying.

I could be wrong but that's how I see it.
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Isn't that also true for upscale custom 1911s? Why is a price tag north of $3,000 okay and accepted for a 1911 and not for a revolver?

EAA Windicators and Röhm revolvers to those that like them. Suum cuique, i.e the best for me.

Nowlin-Challenger.jpg
IMG-7346.jpg
A graduation gift to my son
Korth-Combat-I.jpg
Don't worry, I still have another one just like it
Korth-Combat-II.jpg

Finally, I have shot competitions for almost four decades with a Hämmerli International in 208 configuration and swapped the grips to make it a plinker now.
Hammerli-Grips.jpg
 
I may be just petty here but I really do not like the Nighthawk logo on the Korth. Why did they need to do that? They are the importer, nothing more.

Would be like the car dealership painting their logo on the entire driver's side door of your new $$ car or truck.
 
Ohen Cepel said:
I may be just petty here but I really do not like the Nighthawk logo on the Korth. Why did they need to do that? They are the importer, nothing more.

Would be like the car dealership painting their logo on the entire driver's side door of your new $$ car or truck.
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The logo is not required by law, only the name, city and state but obviously Nighthawk and Korth figured that the cooperation Nighthawk, especially the customer service provided domestically would add a benefit.

On their website you can see a Nighthawk Korth with the sideplate fit.

Korth NXR 44 Magnum (nighthawkcustom.com)

Compare that to the Ratzeburg versions - and under Graf v. Bernstorff and his outsourcing Ratzeburg Korths had enough problems then, too.
Korth.jpg
Korth-26.jpg
Korth-22.jpg
 
PzGren said:
Isn't that also true for upscale custom 1911s? Why is a price tag north of $3,000 okay and accepted for a 1911 and not for a revolver?
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Yes. Same/same, we were talking revolvers so I made reference to an inexpensive entry level revolver of the same chambering.

Gorgeous firearms you have there.

My only point of reference with firearms I actually own or have owned would be in single action designs. I've owned blackhawks, Taurus gaucho and a freedom arms . all do the same thing, I can take the poor old gaucho and give a friend the freedom arms revolver and I'll outshoot him. Same as you could give me the freedom arms revolver and give the Taurus to a competition shooter and I'm certain I wouldn't best them. That's my point , by the time true mechanical accuracy is the difference the skill required to utilize the potential has already likely removed any further accuracy requirements .

I don't know, I'm not a competitor . just what it seems like to me
 
Obturation said:
Yes. Same/same, we were talking revolvers so I made reference to an inexpensive entry level revolver of the same chambering.

Gorgeous firearms you have there.

My only point of reference with firearms I actually own or have owned would be in single action designs. I've owned blackhawks, Taurus gaucho and a freedom arms . all do the same thing, I can take the poor old gaucho and give a friend the freedom arms revolver and I'll outshoot him. Same as you could give me the freedom arms revolver and give the Taurus to a competition shooter and I'm certain I wouldn't best them. That's my point , by the time true mechanical accuracy is the difference the skill required to utilize the potential has already likely removed any further accuracy requirements .

I don't know, I'm not a competitor . just what it seems like to me
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Accuracy is only one of the assets of these high end guns. I would suspect most owners don't shoot competitively.
 
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