Collectible and useable Revolver advice

[el Godfather]

Hi
I know getting anonymous advice on internet is not the way to go, but I hearing what others think is nevertheless at times useful to make a decision.

Recently, I am presented with a gift offer for a revolver. I have all that I need (like the snake series etc) to have and this is going to be something extra; and for that reason I want it to be a COLLECTIBLE piece that I will also use most likely at a private ranges or BBQ.

What’s something out there that fits this criteria? I want it to be something that is an ultimate keeper and pass on to my son. Something that is not generally encountered.

I have seriously thought about Korth in .22 for its collectible value and caliber that you can use a lot. However, .22 is not a caliber of choice for many reasons and I am afraid it may be a bad choice.

I have also thought about a SW 500 (something I would not buy on my own) for its awe inspiring factor, but it is more common than one would imagine.

What do you guys think and advise? The offer is specific to a revolver (long story behind it). If it was open I might have gone for a high end custom bling 1911.

I will appreciate the responses.

 

[silvermane_1]

Well el Godfather my advise would be go for a gun that you would enjoy shooting rather than any collectabilty and/or "bling/BBQ gun" reasons and no, I'm not putting down folks whom buy guns for those reasons, I'm merely pointing out that it's best to invest in guns that you would enjoy shooting and not worry about any intrinsic "collector's" value that it would have.

 

[Pat Riot]

The first thing I thought of when reading your post el Godfather was Standard Manufacturing’s “Single Action Revolver .45 Colt”.

https://stdgun.com/single-action-revolver-1/

They get rave reviews and are very good looking revolvers. They also have options like factory engraving.

I have never handled or fired one. I have talked with a couple of people that have and they really like them. One person I associate with on a Cowboy Action forum says that these are what Colt’s SAA’s should be like. I don’t know about that, but these are very good looking and functional sixguns.

 

[bannockburn]

Let's see a Colt Single Action Army with a 4.75" barrel and in .45 Colt would be alright with me if someone was making up a Wish List! Or maybe a Standard Manufacturing Single Action Nickel Plated Revolver with C-Coverage engraving; that would sure be a great gift as well! A LNIB S&W .357 Registered Magnum with a 5" barrel would also do quite nicely!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Freedom Arms or maybe a Manurhin MR73?

 

[PzGren]

Ratzeburg Korth revolvers are at their best in .22 l.r., in centerfire calibres the advantage of the finely finished chambers will not have the same effect. The built quality of Manurhin MR73s is pretty much on par with the older Korth revolvers and the guns are rare enough to count as a collectible.
If a single action revolver is included, I could recommend a centerfire Freedom Arms and then you have several custom gun smiths to choose from a line of quality firearms.

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

Smith & Wesson model 27

 

[J-Bar]

One of those old S&W Registered Magnums from the 1930’s; rare, shootable without hurting collector value.

 

[Jim Watson]

Saw an ad today for a pristine MR73 with both cylinders and Nill grips for only $3250.
Pythons are expensive but really rather common if you don't mind the price.

Something a bit out of the ordinary that I would like to shoot and show is a K frame Smython/Smolt.

I am out of CAS and don't have a lot of use for my single actions any more, but it would be hard to beat a Freedom Arms for quality. And if you want something to show off, a guy here had his extensively engraved.

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

K frame Smython/Smolt

Don't mention such a curious abomination without first showing us pictures to become familiar with said curious abomination

 

[el Godfather]

Some interesting suggestions. As I mentioned in the OP that I do have the Colt snake series ie King Cobra, Python and the Anaconda. So far, FA and Colt SAA seem interesting to look more into.

I was leaning towards a .22 lr as it’s something you can shoot a lot without much noise and money, but I am not completely sold on 22 yet.

How good of a caliber is a 45 LC if I go SAA? Especially where does it stand when I have a 357 and a 44 Magnum? Whats its niche if any?

So far no reviews on Korth.

 

[Jim Watson]

.45 Colt is a good caliber. Designed to demote an enemy cavalryman to infantry. You can look at the paper ballistics at your convenience.

The Korth aficionado community is sui generis but they have a lot of lore.

Seems like you have reached the Internet Gunboard Recommendation Relativity Limit, somebody or another has mentioned everything on the market.

Oh, wait, the Webley Mk 7 from Anderson Wheeler; a 7 shot .357 on the Webley design. If it is not just a prototype and a lot of vapourware. And if they could get a revolver they are not allowed to sell into the home market exported to the Colonies.
http://andersonwheeler.co.uk/the-gun-room/revolver/

 

[Jim Watson]

Picture of Mk 7

 

[Pat Riot]

Some interesting suggestions. As I mentioned in the OP that I do have the Colt snake series ie King Cobra, Python and the Anaconda. So far, FA and Colt SAA seem interesting to look more into.

I was leaning towards a .22 lr as it’s something you can shoot a lot without much noise and money, but I am not completely sold on 22 yet.

How good of a caliber is a 45 LC if I go SAA? Especially where does it stand when I have a 357 and a 44 Magnum? Whats its niche if any?

So far no reviews on Korth.

.45 Colt can be loaded down for plinking or loaded up for power. I would actually prefer hot “Ruger Only” .45 Colt loads over .44 Magnum BUT you cannot shoot those hot loads in a Colt clone SAA. SAAMI spec’d .45 Colt is still pretty formidable. It also doesn’t have the sharp recoil of .44 Magnum, but you can load .44 Special in a .44 Magnum revolver to achieve a more pleasant shooting experience.

 

[el Godfather]

Whats the view on SW 29?

 

[Jim Watson]

It is a standard catalog item, mass produced. I would not think it SPECIAL enough for the purposes of this thread.
Of course you could scout out an unusual variant that the cognoscenti would appreciate, or a well embellished example.

 

[jdavis123]

Why not complete your “snake gun” collection with a Colt Diamondback in .22LR. That would seem to meet all of your requirements. You might have to look for a while to find one as they are not common.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Smith and Wesson 44 Hand Ejector, 1st Model, the New Century, or affectionately known as the Triple Lock. Might as well go whole hog and find a Target Model.

 

[George P]

Dan Wesson pistol pac with all 4 barrels................

 

[el Godfather]

It is a standard catalog item, mass produced. I would not think it SPECIAL enough for the purposes of this thread.
Of course you could scout out an unusual variant that the cognoscenti would appreciate, or a well embellished example.

You are right but that variant may not be altogether that different except a few etchings etc.

I checked out BFRs but no.
SW 500 and 460s but no. They are a beast to have but I would not use them nor they are easily carried.

Colt SAA but in a more routine caliber that is found overseas like 44 and 357 is still something to consider.

Them Korth is always up there but if I get Korth I and undecided for it to be in .22 LR or 357.

My son is getting into to firearms and that is one of the reasons I consider 22. Easily shot and trained with. Plus Korth wont be something I will EDC or holster. Like I said before I have all what I need in handgun for defensive purposes from a 1911 to Glock 18. This is more of a fun and entertainment deal with that why not if a collectible as well. So please advise on those lines.

 

[PzGren]

....

Them Korth is always up there but if I get Korth I and undecided for it to be in .22 LR or 357.

My son is getting into to firearms and that is one of the reasons I consider 22. Easily shot and trained with. Plus Korth wont be something I will EDC or holster. Like I said before I have all what I need in handgun for defensive purposes from a 1911 to Glock 18. This is more of a fun and entertainment deal with that why not if a collectible as well. So please advise on those lines.

What do you want to know about Korths? I have over a dozen Korths and am shooting a 24 series Korth in .22 l.r. since over ten years - and I go shooting at least once a week - that gun does not seem to show any wear and is a pleasure to shoot.

 

[el Godfather]

What do you want to know about Korths? I have over a dozen Korths and am shooting a 24 series Korth in .22 l.r. since over ten years - and I go shooting at least once a week - that gun does not seem to show any wear and is a pleasure to shoot.

Wonderful!
So I want to know if they are worth the 5,000$ price tag in terms of collectibility and use? Currently on the NIGHTHAWAK site I only see the ones in 357 Magnum (especially the ULX) and one in .44 Magnum? You have any experience with the ULX? Does it also come with the optional 9mm cylinder since for the ULX it does not specify like the Mongoose?

If I want to get .22 in Korth are they available in the US since I will be importing it from the US?

Finally, the ones you have are the from German market or NIGHTHAWAK USA? Am asking this to see what you have to day about the Nighhawak collaboration models.

I may have more questions once I get some response on this. Thank you!

 

[Jim Watson]

Better you should ask PzGren, but there are no .22s on the Korth home website in Germany. I think you would be talking about a discontinued model, a collectable and usable revolver. Like it says at the top of the page.

I have said a .22 should be your best gun because you can shoot it more than anything else. Unless a dedicated piece for a competition requiring centerfires, of course.

 

[el Godfather]

Better you should ask PzGren, but there are no .22s on the Korth home website in Germany. I think you would be talking about a discontinued model, a collectable and usable revolver. Like it says at the top of the page.

I have said a .22 should be your best gun because you can shoot it more than anything else. Unless a dedicated piece for a competition requiring centerfires, of course.

My info is out dated on the current models and what’s discontinued. As far as Korth goes I am pretty much set on ULX unless PzGern gives info otherwise.

Now that .22 in Korth is not an option I have to see what is out there in .22 that fits the bill.

 

[AustinTX]

My info is out dated on the current models and what’s discontinued. As far as Korth goes I am pretty much set on ULX unless PzGern gives info otherwise.

Now that .22 in Korth is not an option I have to see what is out there in .22 that fits the bill.

PzGren is talking about the original Korth revolvers made in Ratzeburg, Germany between 1964 and 2008, not the new stuff made in the resurrected factory in Lollar that Nighthawk has been importing. Ratzeburg Korths can be had in .22 LR and .22 WMR; Lollar Korths cannot.

Read this recent thread on Korths for some discussion on the differences in design, materials, and production methods (and aesthetics) between the originals and new guns: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/korth.867645/.