I'm being dragged back in!!

[KyJim]

I thought I had stopped buy handguns for at least a good, long period. But, I've seen something that is dragging me back down that path!

Beretta is now importing Manurhin MR73 revolvers. Specifically, they are importing the MR73 Sport with target front sight and adjustable rear sights and 5.25 inch barrel. The Gendarmerie (police) model has a 4-inch barrel and a different front sight. The blued finished appears to be jaw-dropping from the videos I've seen.

Beretta's introductory video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3KmMUpJP9Q

But for a more informative and entertaining review, look at TFBTV's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcQmReWckNk

The workmanship and durability of the gun are reflected in the price, so, be prepared for a bit of sticker shock.

 

[Carmady]

You aren't alone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPw-3e_pzqU

 

[MarkCO]

Hmm, very intriguing.

Frankly, the price does not seem that high to me for what it is. I have a few really nice S&Ws that are dreams to shoot and my original revolver, a Taurus M65 that has about 100K on it, mostly mild .38 SPL loads.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[lee n. field]

I thought I had stopped buy handguns for at least a good, long period. But, I've seen something that is dragging me back down that path!

Beretta is now importing Manurhin MR73 revolvers. Specifically, they are importing the MR73 Sport with target front sight and adjustable rear sights and 5.25 inch barrel. The Gendarmerie (police) model has a 4-inch barrel and a different front sight. The blued finished appears to be jaw-dropping from the videos I've seen.

Beretta's introductory video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3KmMUpJP9Q

But for a more informative and entertaining review, look at TFBTV's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcQmReWckNk

The workmanship and durability of the gun are reflected in the price, so, be prepared for a bit of sticker shock.

I wonder if they take Bitcoin....

 

[Siggy-06]

I would love to have one, but not at that price. Do they hold their value well? Here in the states when you talk revolvers, people usually think S&W, Ruger, and Colt.

 

[MarkCO]

I would love to have one, but not at that price. Do they hold their value well? Here in the states when you talk revolvers, people usually think S&W, Ruger, and Colt.

They do appear to hold their value well. Not needing a rebuild after 50K rounds of full power ammo is likely not a big point for many, but for some, it is. Widely considered to be at the top of the heap in all areas one would rank revolvers, the appeal to me is the accuracy and reliability. The bluing is icing.

 

[Ed4032]

I have stopped several times but I have realized that I just not a quitter.

 

[lamarw]

I acquired one a couple of months ago and prior to the Beretta announcement as an importer to the USA.

It has a 5 &1/2" barrel with Nill Grips and packed in a Nigrini box.

Since Champuis Armes only produces 400 a year, it should hold its value. We are talking about one of the finest if not the finest revolvers in production.

 

[KyJim]

Very nice!

 

[Nick_C_S]

I really wish I hadn't seen that video. Those are really nice.

There is one saving grace that'll keep me from spending a bunch of money: The finish is so darn nice, I wouldn't want to shoot it.

My first gun ever was a Python; and that's exactly why I put it in the safe and got a stainless Smith. I wanted something with a durable finish that I didn't mind if it got bumped around a little bit.

 

[Centurion]

I use to say that a gun could be either a plain tool or a collectible.
It would depend on quality, actual price, abundance (or the lack of it), its historical value or a combination of any of these qualifications.
Personal or sentimental value cannot be considered because that is purely subjective.

In case of Manurhin revolvers, they have a price that is in accordance with its high quality, its rarity, but also with its origin.
As a tool I simply cannot believe they are far better than a good Smith and Wesson or a Colt. But they are hand fitted (as a S&W Performance Center i.e.) under European salaries (a high part of cost in any hand crafted device) that use to be higher than its US counterparts.
Remember their laws regarding firearms and you will easily understand that they even don't have the quantity of gunsmiths you have there (they don't need it). So salaries tend to be increased and so the manufacturing costs.
I'm not saying that they aren't excellent weapons, I'm saying that its price doesn't mean they are better made than a custom S&W or a Colt Python.
Of course if you have the money and want to use it as a mere tool, you're free to go this way.
In my case I will not buy one for two main reasons. In my country there's no Manurhin representation, and because of the price these revolvers could be sold here (about 7k USD) after all import fees and taxes, I suppose it never will be.

So please, enjoy yours and upload some pictures!

 

[10-96]

But they are hand fitted

Hand Fitted may not mean the same thing to everyone. I had always thought that was a definite mark of distinction for a manufacturer to be able to say that, and very few folks ever went into detail about what all hand fitting entails. Either way, I used to be a bit impressed whenever I saw the term. When I was researching my new Sig P210 Target (US made), I stumbled across a video. A feller mentioned "But gone away is the hand fitting." The Sig guy said something to the effect of "Yes, but hand fitting indicates that the parts weren't manufactured well enough for them to fit together in the first place, thus, they need to be further adapted to fit and function together as intended."
I know, I would rather have a hand fitted Swiss clock, watch, or the Manurhin revolver... but I just kinda wanted to expound on my new viewpoint on hand fitting.
And yes, I know that was just from an interview with a guy who works for Sig who probably has a vested interest in selling ruther expensive Sig pistols. I'll go away now.

 

[Centurion]

Agree with you, totally.

 

[lamarw]

I agree with a lot of what you have stated.

My desire for a Manurhin MR73 has existed for several years. During this time, I researched and read as much as I could about the revolver. This included the early production from 1973 until the later production from 1999 to the present by the current manufacturer. I have waited until I was comfortable with the unknown, and until I found what I really wanted in a limited market. I then purchased.

I own a few of the best S&W ever produced and only a couple of ordinary Colt revolvers. Therefore, I am not in a position as a true expert in comparing the 3 manufacturers. I have read a number of internet post by others with large collections of Colts and S&W's. They have mostly stated the Manurhin is a superior revolver to the Colts and S&W's.

I have also read where experts have compared the old Korth's and even the Janz with the Manurhin. Both the Korth's and Janz are higher priced without significant greater quality, if any at all, over the Manurhin.

 

[Centurion]

I have also read where experts have compared the old Korth's and even the Jansens with the Manurhin. Both the Korth's and Jansens are higher priced without significant greater quality, if any at all, over the Manurhin.


That's what I was talking about. And maybe yes, Manurhins are better quality than S&Ws or Colts, but I don't know if the difference is so high to double their price or not.
Last but not least, I think anybody is absolutely free to buy anything he or she may want. It is one of the main principles of being a free individual. And I'm a true follower of our hero José Gervasio Artigas, so I'm basically a Jeffersonian...

 

[Centurion]

Just a quick note, not related with the topic, but for you to better understand our local hero Artigas (that I mentioned before). His ideal was taken mainly from the original US Declaration of Independence, the original Constitutions of Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia, the book "Common Sense" by Thomas Payne, and some more.

 

[hemiram]

I just don't think they are worth the price. Yeah, having one would be nice, but for the price, I can buy a nicer S&W N frame 28-2, make a couple of car payments, and pay my rent for a month and have some left over to fill up my gas tank, and get a nice dinner.

IF it was say $1500 or so, I would be saving up.

 

[Classic12]

I bought a brand-new one in 2009 (produced in December 2007), and never regretted it. It’s a beautiful revolver with an amazing finish, rivalling the best pythons, it is extremely accurate, and very durable.

Some of the French GIGN (SWAT equivalent) guns shot over 150,000 rounds.

A few pics of mine

 

[lamarw]

Classic12 - I enjoy viewing the well photographed pictures of your beautiful example.

 

[hemiram]

Would I like to own one? Sure, but I wouldn't like to pay for it. It's a gun porn thing to me, something to lust after, like several others, but it's unlikely to ever happen.