MR73, strengths and drawbacks

[Orkanen]

I purchased a brand new MR73 with a 5¾" barrel and rubber grip about a year ago and have since fired around 1,500 - 2,000 rounds with it. Either I'm getting more accustomed to it or it's getting better and better for every round I fire.

The first I did to it was adjust the trigger weight to just above 1340 g, or around 50 oz, due to competition rules in my country, so now it only accepts Federal primers. This caused the trigger to barely return to starting point, but as the gun's wearing in, that's since improved. I've recently added a ball-end thrust screw to the trigger for a more distinct mark before hammer release. Not sure yet if I'll keep it or discard it. It has never been dry-fired, I have snap caps for that. Beyond that, all I do is oil and clean it.

It's very easy to alter both hammer and trigger weight, as both have leaf springs with adjustment screws. Rear sight has typical horizontal and vertical adjustment but no width. It came with the sight already set correctly.

Oh, it's my first and only revolver so far, yet I've had the pleasure of playing with 10s, 27s, 586s, 686s, GP100s, SP101s and a few others. Just not enough to get accustomed with them. No, I've never had the pleasure of trying a Colt.

 

[ontarget]

Nice looking revolver. Who makes the MR73?

 

[Orkanen]

It was developed by Manurhin and relased in 1973. Manurhin was later included in Chapuis Armes. It seems Beretta Holding recently took over Chapuis Armes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manurhin_MR_73

 

[ontarget]

What caliber is your revolver? What type of competition to you shoot?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

The Manurhin revolvers have always looked a bit, um, unusual to my eyes, but everyone who owns one certainly seems happy with it. Unfortunately, the MR73 is virtually unknown here in the States.

I do actually have one of their fine products-

Of course, anyone with a post-war P1/38 has a Manurhin too, though they may not know it.

 

[Orkanen]

My revolver is a .357 magnum, and built to handle it, or so it says here.

I shoot Scandinavian terrain target shooting, ranges typically between 7 m and 70 m, or magnum up to 200 m. 6 shots with limited time, or 5 with magnum and small guns. Usually 8 to 10 stops in a single round with various target setups.

Here's a link to a Norwegian Wikipedia site on "Nordisk feltskyting med pistol". Not sure it'll do you much good, but it's what I have.

 

[Orkanen]

The Manurhin revolvers have always looked a bit, um, unusual to my eyes, but everyone who owns one certainly seems happy with it. Unfortunately, the MR73 is virtually unknown here in the States.

Are they that different from Colts, Smith&Wessons or Rugers? To my knowledge, there's been some cooperation with Ruger in some form or another, or so it seems. I've seen a few articles about both the gun and the company, like this one, I thus assumed it was known, at least to revolver owners over there.

 

[Orkanen]

And for those who decided to search for articles on it, yes, the gun cost me an arm and a leg.

 

[Havok7416]

As I recall, the MR73 was for many years the issue sidearm for the French GIGN counter-terrorist group. They certainly aren't common in the states. It would be on the level of a collector's grade gun here and very few people would have any experience with it. From the little bit I have ever heard of them, they are supposed to be very rugged and reliable guns though.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Ive never actually seen an MR73 in person, and Ive spent a good chunk of my life in gunshops and shows.

Never seen a Korth in the flesh, either.

 

[Slamfire]

And for those who decided to search for articles on it, yes, the gun cost me an arm and a leg.

I have seen one of these revolvers. I got to touch and dry fire it. It was wonderful. The action was on the same level as a Colt Python. Smooth, very smooth. Luckily I did not have to pay for the experience as these revolvers are very expensive, and I don't think they are getting cheaper.

I think you are very lucky to own one.

 

[Palolosj]

One obvious drawback is initial high cost with little prospect of good resale price.

 

[Orkanen]

One obvious drawback is initial high cost with little prospect of good resale price.

Unless you find someone looking for one. On the other hand, why would you sell such a gun? It's nimble and good looking. If handled properly, it'll last you a long long time, even if you only shoot full charge magnums with it. I'm keeping mine for as long as I can, and I expect son to take over when I'm done with it.

 

[DWFan]

The reputation for durability of the MR-73 is unparalleled. The MR-88 is the "Ruger cooperative" or RMR revolver and looks much like a GP-100. It is the very different looking MR-93 that's always fascinated me. At one time, Kimber was supposed to sell these under license.

 

[Orkanen]

It is the very different looking MR-93 that's always fascinated me.

Got any experience with them? I've barely touched an MR88, let alone an MR93. I don't really see the point of the MR38, unless you in advance decide you'll never fire a magnum round in its lifetime, which in most circumstances will be longer than yours. Yes I know, chamber cleaning. I'd assume choosing an MR32 would strictly be for speed shooting, with a next to nothing recoil and of the same build quality as an MR73.

 

[DWFan]

Got any experience with them? .

The only experience I've had is an LEO friend let me shoot his MR73 and that was only 24 rounds. The trigger was impressive and it was very accurate at 25 yards with Remington 125gr SJHP ammo. I've never seen either an MR-88 nor MR-93 except in pictures.

 

[JFrame]

As I recall, the MR73 was for many years the issue sidearm for the French GIGN counter-terrorist group. They certainly aren't common in the states. It would be on the level of a collector's grade gun here and very few people would have any experience with it. From the little bit I have ever heard of them, they are supposed to be very rugged and reliable guns though.

I recall reading an article once on GIGN weapons and training.

As a practical demonstration of their skill, they would rappel down the side of a building in a staged hostage situation (IIRC, mannequins holding other mannequins in life-threatening poses). They would stop halfway down the building, and bracing themselves against the structure, whip out their MR73s and put incapacitating shots on all the "terrorists."

There's a French movie ("L'Assaut") about the hijacking of Air France 8969, and GIGN's heroic and costly rescue effort. The MR73 revolver figures prominently in that movie...

http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Assault,_The_(L'Assaut)

.

 

[Rio Laxas]

In my opinion, the MR73 is the finest service revolver ever manufactured. It has been stated that the MR73 is the P210 of revolvers, and I am in agreement with that.

The MR73 takes it's design cues from the Smith & Wesson Model 19, but was designed to be far more durable with a steady diet of full power .357 mag loads. I don't think there are too many drawbacks to the design, but I wish they made a large frame version in .44 Special and / or Magnum. I also wish there were more options for grips. I don't care for the rubber grips. I like the wood grips but wish they came without finger grooves. I like the old style large service grips, but they are hard to obtain.

Mine is a 5-1/4 version. I'd like to get a 6" version with the patridge sight like yours, but I'm not sure that I ever will.

 

[Speedo66]

I think Bud's, or was it AIM, was selling Manurin revolvers some time back, and they seemed to sell out quick.

The rubber grips look odd to my eyes, but I've read they're very comfortable.

To Original Poster, if you haven't done this here before, could you please you give us an idea as to handgun possession requirements in Norway?

 

[indy1919a4]

The MR73 is one of the best revolvers out there.. Its a production revolver that also is a custom revolver.. I Shot one of these with a friend and we brought a group of Smiths & Wessons & Colts to test out with it and it felt like the other revolvers had broken trigger. The MR73 is just that smooth..

And ever so often you can purchase some used MR73s over here, they are still pricey but not as pricey as a new one.

I had to run out and purchase one right after shooting it for the 1st time..

Some nice short articles on them..

https://www.firearmsnews.com/editor...lver-fighting-wheel-gun-par-excellence/307258

https://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/mr73-357-mag/

http://larvatus.com/tag/manurhin/


A question to the OP, In Norway is this revolver readily available in most gun shops or is this a specialty item ???

 

[Orkanen]

I also wish there were more options for grips. I don't care for the rubber grips. I like the wood grips but wish they came without finger grooves. I like the old style large service grips, but they are hard to obtain.

There's a German producer of grips called Karl Nill. Perhaps they have something to your liking? Unless price is an issue.

The rubber grips look odd to my eyes, but I've read they're very comfortable.

I was somewhat disappointed when I heard my gun would come with standard rubber grips, and expected to order wooden ones within a week from above mentioned Karl Nill. I still haven't ordered any grips. The rubber ones are great.

To Original Poster, if you haven't done this here before, could you please you give us an idea as to handgun possession requirements in Norway?

I started a new thread on this topic here, hope that's okay. I'd love to see gun control in other countries, different states.

 

[Rio Laxas]

There's a German producer of grips called Karl Nill. Perhaps they have something to your liking? Unless price is an issue.

I have Nill grips for a several of my pistols, most notably a couple of SIG P210s, and they are excellent grips. I will likely give them a try for my MR73, but they do also have finger grooves. I tried to order a set a while back with the open back and rounded bottom, but apparently they are not producing those at this time. I think that all of their current models have a closed back.

 

[Orkanen]

The MR73 is one of the best revolvers out there.. Its a production revolver that also is a custom revolver.. I Shot one of these with a friend and we brought a group of Smiths & Wessons & Colts to test out with it and it felt like the other revolvers had broken trigger. The MR73 is just that smooth..

And ever so often you can purchase some used MR73s over here, they are still pricey but not as pricey as a new one.

I had to run out and purchase one right after shooting it for the 1st time..

A friend of mine has a well run in 586-3, its trigger being very close to my MR73 in smoothness, so it's possible. I used to borrow it for competitions and practice until I got to buy my own gun.
I keep hearing from various people that when a decent Colt is set up properly, it too will have a very smooth trigger. Being naive and trusting, I believe them.

A question to the OP, In Norway is this revolver readily available in most gun shops or is this a specialty item ???

Two gun shops in Norway actively import them. I'm told back order is more than a years worth. While a similar Smith&Wesson Performance Centre 686 may cost around NOK 18,500,- and require some work to match it, an MR73 will cost NOK 29,000,- ready tuned.

 

[Orkanen]

I have Nill grips for a several of my pistols, most notably a couple of SIG P210s, and they are excellent grips. I will likely give them a try for my MR73, but they do also have finger grooves. I tried to order a set a while back with the open back and rounded bottom, but apparently they are not producing those at this time. I think that all of their current models have a closed back.

I just checked. The grip you're probably after is the the replica / classic grip. My only suggestion is buying another model and modify it to your taste.

 

[Orkanen]

Mine is a 5-1/4 version. I'd like to get a 6" version with the patridge sight like yours, but I'm not sure that I ever will.

I believe the front sight is replaceable. Have you tried contacting the manufacturers? See here for e-mail address.