Manurhin MR 73 vs Korth vs S&W 27-2

Status
Not open for further replies.
Huntolive

Huntolive

Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2012
Messages
1,139
Location
Virginia
OK so I got the revolver addiction pretty bad:evil:
So much so that I am seriously considering getting either a Manurhin MR 73 or MR 88 or a Korth Nighthawk Ranger or Mongoose or other
Or possibly settling for a very nice 5 inch Smith and Wesson model 27 Dash two
Prior to hearing about the French and German offerings I would never have considered a model 27 Dash two in excellent condition especially with a 5 inch barrel as some thing to just settle for but instead would’ve seen it as more of a bucket list gun along side a colt Python:thumbup:
I currently own three model 27–2 s
2 are 6 inch nickel both in excellent condition one of them in superb like new condition.
The other is one a I have on the way to my FFL which is a 6 inch Blued version lightly used with some holster where which will be a shooter.
I also have 2020 pythons and 4.25 and 6 inch and I’m keeping the 6 inch unfired in box I already have fire the 4.25 and will frequently carry it.In addition I have several other 357 s of High quality such as Dan Wesson 715s and 15 -two and other Smith and Wesson’s & Colt.

Who here actually has experience with the Manurhin mr 73 and or mr88?
What about Korth Nighthawk Ranger and Mongoose?
I am hoping to get one of these with a 5.25 inch barrel
This would likely require me to forgo acquiring a 5 inch model 27 Dash two and selling some thing else what are your thoughts observations and experience with these different models especially the Korths and Manurhin?
 
In your collection, which size
revolvers fit you or please you
the most both for shooting and
just plain pride of ownership?

The Korth and MR73 fall into
the family sizes of the S&W
L- and K-frames.

Neither matches the size and bulk
of the Model 27, an N-frame.

"Retail" prices, whatever they might
prove out to be, seem to be about
the same.

A side consideration is which
company would you rather deal
with, Nighthawk or Beretta.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, but Paul, reddit is not the best source. If you read through your link, there's a couple posters discrediting the OP who had the issue with his MR73 -- and that post was from more'n two years ago, so it wasn't one of the new MR73s. And I believe the OP was speaking to the new Manurhins. Which seem to be doing really well and have quickly established a loyal following.

The old German Korths are fantastic and beautiful revolvers. The ones made under the auspices of Nighthawk, not so much. The matte finish, ugly billboard ... yech.

I've got a beater 27 and it's a great gun. But yeah, the first opportunity I get for an MR73, I'll go for it... And wishin' I could afford one of the old Korths...
 
The MR88 is based on the Ruger SP101 but with a six round cylinder, the trigger characteristics are not much better than on a standard Ruger SP101 and I quickly sold the one I had with the Trausch grips. Ruger SP1011 grips do not work on the MR88.
The MR73 is a great design but there are a few too many complaints about quality control with the guns made by Chapuis Armes for me to feel completely comfortable with them. I have a Mulhouse MR73 and it is excellent. While I have shot the Lollar Korhts, I personally prefer the Ratzeburg models that were made between 1969 and the mid 1970s. Both work with HKS 10 speedloaders.
In comparison to the MR73 and Korth Sport, the S&W 27-2 always felt bulky to me and I always ended up selling them.
 
I have a new MR73 and it is excellent.

I did a lot of research before I laid down my money and the issues always were from a friend of a friend who knew a guy whose roommate had an issue or someone shooting some L33T ammo and factory evaluations were citing plugged barrels. If there was a problem Beretta would take care of it as long as it wasn't me being stupid.

I would not get a MR88 as it isn't built to the same standards as the MR73, it was more of a cost cutting revision. I do not have any experience with a S&W 27-2 but the reason the MR73 exists is because the S&W revolvers couldn't take the round count the GIGN wanted. Though unless you are going to shot A LOT it really isn't going to make a difference, though I will say the MR73 trigger is the best I have ever felt.
 
Thanks v steel and others For your information especially information based on personal experience I appreciate it
 
I would be interested in any comparisons between the trigger on a modern Korth Such as a night Hawk ranger or a Mongoose and the trigger on MR73

also overall accuracy comparisons between the two with comparable barrel lengths
I am most interested in getting a 5 inch MR 73 otherwise I might get a 4 inch either six rounds ranger or 5 inch Mongoose or 4 inch and excess eight round

do you think the inherent accuracy of a Korth would allow 4 inch barrel to be as or more accurate as a 5 inch or 6 inch barreled GP 100 or Smith and Wesson 686?
 
vsteel said:
I would not get a MR88 as it isn't built to the same standards as the MR73, it was more of a cost cutting revision. I do not have any experience with a S&W 27-2 but the reason the MR73 exists is because the S&W revolvers couldn't take the round count the GIGN wanted. Though unless you are going to shot A LOT it really isn't going to make a difference, though I will say the MR73 trigger is the best I have ever felt.
Click to expand...

Manurhin built the MR73 because Raymond Sassia had come up with the requirements after his training with NYPD and it had little to nothing to do with round count or longevity. Before Manurhin came up with the MR73 the French police had S&W revolvers, the 19-3 RS special model and Rugers issued. France wanted the guns built in France and that is why the MR88 was built by Manurhin with some changes. France still had plenty of Mini14s issued when I lived in Paris.
 
Huntolive said:
I would be interested in any comparisons between the trigger on a modern Korth Such as a night Hawk ranger or a Mongoose and the trigger on MR73

also overall accuracy comparisons between the two with comparable barrel lengths
I am most interested in getting a 5 inch MR 73 otherwise I might get a 4 inch either six rounds ranger or 5 inch Mongoose or 4 inch and excess eight round

do you think the inherent accuracy of a Korth would allow 4 inch barrel to be as or more accurate as a 5 inch or 6 inch barreled GP 100 or Smith and Wesson 686?
Click to expand...

I have a sizeable Korth collection and first hand experience with several civilian MR73s, MR88s, S&W, and other revolvers. My S&W 14 and 1952 vintage K-22 are as accurate as the best Korth or Manurhin MR73 and I shot successfully at state championships.
I also had done a direct comparison one day between some four inchers and the finish challenged S&W 15 was my favorite that day.

Revolvers.jpg
 
PzGren said:
Manurhin built the MR73 because Raymond Sassia had come up with the requirements after his training with NYPD and it had little to nothing to do with round count or longevity. Before Manurhin came up with the MR73 the French police had S&W revolvers, the 19-3 RS special model and Rugers issued. France wanted the guns built in France and that is why the MR88 was built by Manurhin with some changes. France still had plenty of Mini14s issued when I lived in Paris.
Click to expand...

Raymond Sasia, De Gaulle’s chief bodyguard, underwent training at the U.S. FBI Academy. The GIGN had been using S&W revolvers, but they had failed to hold up to the 150 rounds of .357 daily. During the GIGN testing, the MR73 fired 170,000 rounds and was still going strong when the testing was discontinued.

If the GIGN didn't adopt the pistol I doubt it would be known for anything other than a cool pistol, that was discontinued decades ago. Having one of the worlds elite anti-terrorist teams adopt the pistol and use it for decades helped give it a strong proven track record and gave a solid testament to how well built these pistols are. I had poor vernacular when I said exists because of the GIGN, I should have said still exists because of the GIGN.
 
Mmm.

Imagine, double - wielding a Manurhin MR73 and a HK Mark 23.

The oozing juices of their combined pedigrees at the range!
 
The S&W 19-3 that was inspired by Raymond and built in small numbers by S&W may not have held up for a very high round count but on the other hand, S&W revolvers are easy to rebuild. I have one of the very few from the factory overrun that made it into civilian hands.

RS1.jpg

The French always wanted to have guns made in France as service weapons and I do believe that this also influenced their decision to use the Manurhin MR73 and have the MR88 built in France.
I have lived in Paris, France and driven a Citroen 2CV, C5 and Peugeot 607. That experience, and having shot an MR73, had made me hold off on the purchase of an MR73 for decades.
The Belgians wanted to make their Mauser rifles also in their own country after adopting it and Ludwig Loewe, the owner of Mauser and DWM, born Louis Levy, had set up the FN factory.
 
PzGren said:
I have a sizeable Korth collection and first hand experience with several civilian MR73s, MR88s, S&W, and other revolvers. My S&W 14 and 1952 vintage K-22 are as accurate as the best Korth or Manurhin MR73 and I shot successfully at state championships.
I also had done a direct comparison one day between some four inchers and the finish challenged S&W 15 was my favorite that day.

View attachment 1032491
Click to expand...

PzGren said:
By the way, as a gun whore, I find it sad to start a thread with this gun versus that gun, when they can coexist in harmony. MR73 and S&W 27 sounds a whole lot better ...:)
Click to expand...

yes but a mere mortal can’t have everything
 
I’ve decided to hold off on a Korth or Manurhin for now (I think) :evil: but the devil may get the best of me yet.

sounds like some of you with experience with the two more expensive models are saying that good Smith and Wesson‘s are almost just as good
I actually had the opportunity to pull the trigger on a new model of mongoose yesterday and also on a new model colt anaconda at LGS
The trigger on the Korth was an absolute dream both in double and single action
The double action trigger on the anaconda was outstanding and smooth and the stainless steel felt and looked almost as slick as nickel but the single action trigger was terrible heavy it felt almost more resistant than the double action trigger I would almost rather use the double action trigger and stage it to shoot the anaconda then use the single action trigger

still when I consider that Man Huron
is the price of two anacondas and Korth is even more than that I think I’d be better off to get a 6 inch anaconda if it had a 6 inch anaconda at the LGS I would’ve bought it but they have the 8 inch Felt barrel heavy and I already have some long barreled 44sFor hunting.
I may get myself a very nice old 5 inch Nickel model 27I’ve decided I like the look of the nickel ones better than the blued in the model 27 the checkered cutting on the top contrasting with the gunmetal and black just looks so much sharper than that gun in blue and that particular style. I have a glued in good but not mint condition on its way to me with a 6 inch barrel that will become a shooter for 900 bucks

Who knows if the right deal comes by I might go ahead and grab a Korth or a Manurhin But just finding a man here is so hard lol
Currently I could get the Korth Ranger with a 4 inch barrel and a compensator brand new in the box for 3800 which is cheap for that model but still crazy expensive and I could get on a list to maybe get a man here in 2022
 
Huntolive said:
Who knows if the right deal comes by I might go ahead and grab a Korth or a Manurhin But just finding a man here is so hard lol
I could get on a list to maybe get a man here in 2022
Click to expand...

I don't know if it is still applicable but I was on the list 4 months or so when I got the call if I wanted to purchase the one I have. You have to call one of the Beretta galleries to get on the list. (assuming there is a list, I don't know if they filled the initial rush and you can pick one right up or there is still a wait).
 
Mr. Olive, nice job with the personal attack on a website called the High Road. If this was a different forum, my response would be far less polite, but another member suggested an Anaconda to you previously in your other thread. You asked if it really fit your parameters. I answered you. You asked where one could procure one for the price. I responded to you that it did indeed fit your parameters and happily provided you with proof. You then said, "So back to relevant and non-snarky options..".

By that statement alone you were referring to the Anaconda. No where was I snarky, I offered you an answer and offered proof (which I delivered to you). You added emotion and feelings to my words. I could have done the same thing with your enquiry regarding where I found one for that price, but I took the high road ;).

Sir, I don't know you, but you have proved yourself to be.......I'll stop there. I'll let you continue to ask about revolvers you have no intention of actually buying as your self imposed price is below $1500 per your previous thread. As to Korth or Manurhin or S&W, get whatever one you want. We already know the answer due your to your self imposed limitations.

Good day.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Huntolive
  • Locked
S&W 27-2 Blued. How are the 27s?
2 3
Replies
51
Views
5K
CopperFouling
CopperFouling
TheFrontRange
  • Locked
Five-inch S&W Model 27 Questions
Replies
15
Views
1K
Coronach
C
O
  • Locked
S&W Pre 27 3.5"
Replies
3
Views
678
ohio58
O
R
  • Locked
New Model 27 vs Old Model 27-2 vs 686 6" S&W
Replies
12
Views
5K
Backpacker33
Backpacker33
S
  • Locked
Good Old Model 27-2
Replies
10
Views
691
MoNsTeR
M
Back
Top