Old Dog, the older Korth Sport .22s can be had for about $2K, I recently handled a new S&W .22 priced at half that that was junk by comparison. Kind of cool to think the old ones were all worked on by Willi Korth himself.
Manurhin MR 73 vs Korth vs S&W 27-2
- Thread starter Huntolive
- Start date
- Status
Old Dog, the older Korth Sport .22s can be had for about $2K, I recently handled a new S&W .22 priced at half that that was junk by comparison. Kind of cool to think the old ones were all worked on by Willi Korth himself.
.38 only versions. I know 6" 14s were issued to LA cops way back when.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
The S&W 14 and 15 are adjustable sight K-frame .38Spl's. I'm very happy to have them in three barrel lengths but still lack the lovely 8 3/8".
If I were to spend that much on a .357, it'd probably be an older Korth. I just can't abide the new Nighthawk monstrosities.
If I were to spend that much on a .357, it'd probably be an older Korth. I just can't abide the new Nighthawk monstrosities.
This is a S&W 14-2. I had bought it pre-owned in 1985 and it is is still the reference when it comes to accuracy that all others are compared to. A friend had borrowed it for state competitions and successfully won many of them with it. I had posted a photo of a S&W 15 earlier and while S&W had poor quality control from the 1970s on, when they got it right, the old revolvers are really great. Especially if a talented gun smith makes some further improvements.
Nice, target hammer and trigger too I see. Do you find the 14 to be more accurate that the S&W 19?
The Korth Mongoose is somewhat more traditional looking if that's what you're looking for.
We’ll see what happens in a couple years or some thing falls in my lap with a good deal I think for now if I have 3 to 4 grand to spend I’ll put it into Ammo reloading a better track or buying more free time to hunt and shoot but I deeply appreciate The relevant advice and knowledge gained along the way
for now I’m good with my Model 27-2s
627 686 Dan Wesson s and Pythons
for now I’m good with my Model 27-2s
627 686 Dan Wesson s and Pythons
OK so I got the revolver addiction pretty bad
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
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 a perfect world... Janz... arriving at my FFL dealer, very soon... For real...
View attachment 1052008
Last edited:
Paul,
just found the question now. I do find the S&W 14-2 to be more accurate than my 6ix inch model 19-3 but that could be individual tolerances among production guns, At the same time, the Bullseye revolver record was set with a S&W M14 and still stands.
In German matches you will find a lot of Korths and MR73s. Back in 1969 a Korth rimfire revolver did not cost more in Germany than the imported Colt OMM and that price level drove Willi Korth rapidly into bankruptcy.
They are 38 special only revolvers
Oldschool shooter
Member
I've never seen a Korth or Manurhin in person, but I have owned a Model 27-2. I can't see where anyone would consider it "settling" for a Model 27. For the price of either of the other 2, I could gave a Model 27, Model 29, Model 25, and cash left over for ammunition. Just my opinion.
You really have to handle the high end revolvers to know, the S&W may or not be as accurate but the fit and finish aren't the same. IMHO the factory grips on the S&W models you mentioned don't fit my medium sized hand, the Korth target grips are the best I've used.
Wonderful gunmaker but not a great businessman apparently. I do think it cool that the older Korths like the one I have were worked on by Korth personally, kind of like Les Baer personally test fired the older Baers.
Paul,
I am not sure to which extent Willi Korth worked on the guns himself. He definitely was watching closely over the quality control and did a final quality check but he was originally an engineer working for the German railroad after being forced to leave his native Silesia after WWII, he gained firearms knowledge from working at Hubertus Metall-Werk in Moelln, where he designed rifles. Just as Uwe Janz, a master precision mechanic, had learnt about revolvers from Willi and took it from there. Uwe had greatly assisted Veit Morgenroth in unerstanding the Korth action for his book "Willi Korth - Seine Waffen".
Willi was not known to be an easy employer, he paid precious little and demanded a lot. You and I appreciate the results.
I am not sure to which extent Willi Korth worked on the guns himself. He definitely was watching closely over the quality control and did a final quality check but he was originally an engineer working for the German railroad after being forced to leave his native Silesia after WWII, he gained firearms knowledge from working at Hubertus Metall-Werk in Moelln, where he designed rifles. Just as Uwe Janz, a master precision mechanic, had learnt about revolvers from Willi and took it from there. Uwe had greatly assisted Veit Morgenroth in unerstanding the Korth action for his book "Willi Korth - Seine Waffen".
Willi was not known to be an easy employer, he paid precious little and demanded a lot. You and I appreciate the results.
I have had several S&W 27-2s, great 625s that I gifted to the kids ( and happily borrow ), and still have and love a 29-2, S&W 10s and 19s. I also have a S&W 14-2 for much longer than I care to remember and the 14-2 was my first own centerfire revolver that I bought used after getting out of university. It was harder for me to pay for that gun than paying my son's Mustang GT off for him after he locked into a bad rate. I could not afford the guns I have now when I was young but the kids are out of school and I am free to can use my money that I worked for now for myself. I have worked hard and smart and was lucky the way things turned out.
The difference in accuracy between a good S&W, Colt, or Ruger is not as big as the difference in quality and longevity, or the pride of ownership. Korth's bluing does not wear easily and the guns are a joy to shoot, a pleasure to look at after years of use, and an equal satisfaction to own. Describing it is like describing good food, it may leave your mouth watery but not satisfy you. And then some like their steak rare, some medium and so on.
That's probably a better way to put it, he did the final quality check, like Les Baer used to do.
Paul,
as I always like to point out, Korth in Ratzeburg was not a factory but during most of its history it was more of a custom shop. In 2008, right before they closed, I had asked the head master gun smith about monthly production numbers when I was given the tour of the factory by him. It was on average under a dozen a month. Nowlin Sr. had built a few guns by himself pretty much after his son took over the business and the pistols he made are indeed masterfully done.
Also, the Freedom Arms Casull revolvers are of the highest quality. I have shot the punishing .454 Casull from a friend on several occasions and was each time impressed with the precision machining and incredible fit.
as I always like to point out, Korth in Ratzeburg was not a factory but during most of its history it was more of a custom shop. In 2008, right before they closed, I had asked the head master gun smith about monthly production numbers when I was given the tour of the factory by him. It was on average under a dozen a month. Nowlin Sr. had built a few guns by himself pretty much after his son took over the business and the pistols he made are indeed masterfully done.
Also, the Freedom Arms Casull revolvers are of the highest quality. I have shot the punishing .454 Casull from a friend on several occasions and was each time impressed with the precision machining and incredible fit.
slickracer
Member
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2013
- Messages
- 254
A 27-2 is about as good as it gets, topped only by a pre 27 or Registered Magnum.
- Status
