French guy here: First, thanks for reviewing a French weapon, that's not a common thing on US gun RUclips. You said 9 mm is forbidden in France for civilians. I don't know the story behind the 9 mm MR73, but it's completely legal to own a 9 mm in France. What you need is : - Be registered in a shooting range - Own a safe - Have a mental and criminal background check - Have special "suitcase" to carry your weapon around (concealed carry isn't allowed, so you don't get arrested by police on you way to the range) - Be rich enough to afford the weapons and the ammos that are heavily taxed Then you can buy any weapon you want as long as it isn't automatic and within a number limit that I don't remember. The MR73 is really an iconic weapon in France, it is used by the Police and the famous GIGN. Nowadays, it's gradually replace by Sig Sauers. France nearly doesn't produce small arms anymore (unfortunately)... Contrary to the US, most of the weapon companies in France are state-owned so when the State stops its orders, the companies shut down. Manurhin doesn't exist anymore, the MR73 was basically the only weapon they produced that got commercial success. The company stopped its weapon manufacturing and the rights to their products was taken over by another company called Chapuis. It's true that in France, we talk a lot about "armes de guerre" (war weapons) as opposed to "armes de chasse" (hunting weapons) and "armes de sport" (sport weapons). Hope you found my comment informative!
Ici au Canada , c'ESt plus ou moins la même chose (here in Canada , it's more or less the same . ) pour les loi d'armes courte . , mais des 357 , tu peut en trouver 30$ la boite de 50 . 1000$ (canadien) pour une S&W 686 6'' par exemple
I shot the Manurhin back in Australia, but the target version with adjustable rear sight. They costed around twice than a Colt or S&W but they were fantastic, the most accurate revolver I've seen in my life. Regards
hi sootch ! I m french and I m very happy you can try a Manhurin. In France 9mm is not forbidden. I have glock 19, vz58, mosin nagant m44, walther p22, taurus st12 rifled barrel because our stupid laws and a bsa sportsman 15 in .22lr. to have a gun (9mm , 357 even 22lr) you need a sport licence for target shooting and a LOT of things. in fact almost all is illegal in france "country of liberty and democracy". so for 9mm or 357 or 22lr it is the same authorisation we need. except for hunting rifles but we need a permit. sorry for my english. because of your vids and iv8888 and mac one I learned english ! thank you !! :)
+Escalope Sorry but I read it in a number of places. It really doesn't make sense considering the 357 mag is way more powerful. Thanks for your comment.
Understanding stupids firearms french laws is impossible. You have to wait many months and lot of forms and investigations about your life, background checks and even médical and psychiatric health for a 10/22 or a p22. But for a 12 gauge you just need to pay a card and to be a target shooter or to have a hunter. A lot easier for me to buy my mosin or my taurus st12 tactical rifled barrel than for my Walther p22. Very very stupid laws.
+sootch00 but yes maybe because before 2013 38 special was consider like 22lr as defensive weapons 9mm as combat weapons. now it s clear you can t defend yourself. even if you carry a little pepper spray you can go in jail. beautiful. only gangsters can carry weapons.
Escalope, the 9mm Para was forbidden for civilians in the 70s when the MR73 was made, considered as a war ammo. A special cylinder was made to use 9mm in the MR to practice with a less expensive ammo. They dropped the idea, the market was to tight considering that sport shooters coulnd't use it because the revolver would be a category 1 instead of 4 (1 is War weapons) and considering issues about extracting the cartridges after shooting. Nowadays it's different, I also own a 9 Para as a sport shooter ;) I think the only limitation left is that we can't possess a full auto gun. It needs to be semi-auto. We may have a semi-auto AK47 for exemple, I think it's quite easy to possess a gun in France compared with many other countries... Vive Manurhin ! Vive la France ! ;)
It has been a long time since I have seen a gun review about a gun I have never heard of. That was a nice treat. Thanks for bringing this gun to our attention.
Merci beaucoup pour cette revue sootch00 ! Thanks a lot for this review sootch00 ! Here in France we are proud of that piece of french engineering, still built by Chapuis Ames since Matra Manurhin abandoned the production ef firearms. It's tipically a french affair, like the FAMAS... The creator of the MR73, engineer Gilbert Maillard, made a synthesis of S&W and Colt revolvers, with a kind of french touch. The mainspring for example, is announced to be resistant to 200,000 rounds ! The mechanics is complex but smooth, the spring tension factory adjustable. You had to know that, in fact, the barrel is machined at 0,354 to accept the 9 mm round. Consequently, they had to forge a excellent barrel to support the pressure of the .357 round in a .354 chamber. You can also remember the Assault in Marseille Marignane airport in 1994. "Thierry", a GIGN member, shot 3 times with his MR 73 and immediatly killed 2 terrorists and seriously injured a 3rd before he was wounded by 7 shots of AK47 (and he survived). Prices are from 380 euros to 680 for a used MR 4" in good condition for the french market. The 3" model is very rare, even for us french shooters. Excuse me for my english, long live to your republic (fight for your 2nd amendment and CCW, here we don't have since 1939...) & best regards from France.
Your English is a hell of a lot better than my French, I started a course online about a month ago. I have been teaching myself Russian and for some odd reason, I am not having a whole lot of trouble with French, Russian on the other hand at times I am pulling my hair out and I don't have much. As for the gun, Beretta is bringing them into the US. I plan on buying the MR73 four-inch barrel model. MSRP $3300 dollars. I don't know what the street price is going to be my guess around 3K. Well long live the French Republic, I hope you guys get your guns back a whole lot of the current nastiness would not be happening with some good old-fashioned self-defense. I am planning a little road trip thru the French countryside in 2022 when this covid business ends. Like some of our grandfathers, I am going to start in the little village of Sainte Mer Eglise.
I have had 2 Manurhin Mr 73 revolvers one with the 6 inch and the other one with the 5,25 inch barrel sports version ,both of them were like Swiss clock works and the finish also on the inside (wich is part of the high price) is perfect . I used them for sporting purposes and they shoot like a nail driver one bullet after the other through the same hole . The trigger adjustment and the "rollers" are also unique and you will not find on any other gun this specific type of trigger mechanisme . I olso owned a Ruger GP100 6 inch and thats also a very good gun but there is no comparison when it comes to the trigger adjustment , I now own a S&W 686 with a 6 inch barrel wich serves me well and das the work for the compeion I do but my hart still goes for that MR73 with 5,25 inch barrel
only french weapons ive ever heard about been from gunjesus ian on forgotten weapons and that old joke about the old german ww2 gun collector with all the french guns decent condition despite every single 1 being dropped at least once🤣
There's something undeniably attractive about those guns, they just look down to the purpose, precise, durable, tough, nothing extra, nothing unnecessary, yet precisely, finely made.
Thanks Sootch. Nice revolvers. I always love to hear the older guys calling revolvers "pistols". My dad, 70 years old, says that back before police replaced their service revolvers with pistols, everyone just called handguns, "pistols", whether or not they revolved or auto loaded.
Yeah, I’m an old guy (75) and a handgun is a pistol, I don’t care how it operates. I think folks who make the distinction and correct others on it, are snobs.
2:40 Well, I might be that guy ^^ Manurhin revolvers are indeed very expensive, although it's possible to find some really good second hand deals here (few hundreds euros for an old service one for example). The one I bought, a sport model with a 5,25 inches barrel costed indeed 1700 euros, but it was brand new, bought directly in a local gun shop. 3:38 You can actually own 9mm guns and ammo in France. I'm not sure why Manurhin stopped to make those though. The French law makes it hard to get those cylinders, maybe that's why (to make it simple, it requires as much paper work to get one of those 9mm cylinder than it is to get an actual gun). 12:25 The wood grip looks really cool, and as far as I'm concerned it might be a little bit more comfortable for .357 magnum, since with the rubber grip, all the recoil is going in the portion of skin between your thumb and index. It's good for follow up shots I guess, but it tends to be painfull after a few dozens shots.
The story about why GIGN chose this revolver always amazes me. Initially, they used the S&W model 19 because of its good handling and accuracy. Until reliability issues appeared due to their intense target practice regime. Since each operator fired almost a hundred .357 rounds every day for practice, operators were seeing mechanical issues in the Model 19. This would lead to Manurhin being commissioned to make a revolver with similar handling and accuracy as the S&W Model 19, but with much higher durability.
30 years ago when Korth revolver were getting incredible expensive, I decided to buy a MR73 instead but the shop assistant persuaded me to buy a Colt Python. I really hate this guy because I sold the Python and bought MR 73 later anyway. (and Korth revolver too) and I kept them until today. No regrets at all.
Late to the party but thought I'd share, I picked up a MR73 a couple years ago thinking I could re-sell it at a better price (I honestly probably could) but everytime I pick it up and/or shoot it and realize how much I like it, any thought of selling it goes right out the window. This is a gun that will most likley go to the grave with me.
A friend of mine part of the GIGN (the anti-terrorism group of the Gendarmerie) had this revolver - they used it mostly for close combat in confined spaces... very efficient. high quality, but indeed, very expensive!
Ceci dit maintenant on peut les avoir pour pas trop cher. J'en ai vu à 350€, franchement compte tenu de la qualité de l'arme, c'est l'affaire du moment (mais munitions un peu chères en 357 magnum). Bravo pour ton livre Survivre à l'effondrement économique ; je viens de le terminer et c'est une mine.
In France you can find it second hand in a real good state for $400-450, mostly cops don't fired too much their guns. Otherwise Chapuis Armes in France has taken over the production of this mythic revolver in 4", 5" and 6" but they don't come cheap. Proud owner of a 4", it's a delight to shoot with, trigger is so smooth.
The MR73 is SUCH a good Revolver! I have an S&W M19 from the Performance Center, which was a gift for my 20th Birthday. I love it and I thought I'll never want another Revolver. Until I learned about the MR73. Since I bought one, the S&W rests in the Safe. A Little bit sad, but the Trigger on the MR is just better. Get one while you can my friends.
I did get one from Evolution in Idaho. Got it 4 months ago A magnificent MR73 , Had to wait a year 1/2 before seeing it . I guess they don't make them very fast . The price was up there too I have another MR73 who came from Austria , and both shoot the same my old one was made in 1973
I like the grips! I'll bet the way the top of the grip has that lip on it that goes over the top of the webbing on your hand really helps with barrel rise when shooting. I wish somebody made this kind of grip for the Ruger GP-100.
hi sootch... another good review.. i confirm from France as i'm a mr73 user in french police force... :-) a great great gun... thanks for talking about this unknown but so strong and lovely firearm... best regards
Always happy to learn about a rare surplus model. Pawn shops are famous for taking in lesser known foreign guns for almost nothing. I love the idea of a military .357. I know if I had to clear a house I'd rather have a.44 mag or .357 leading my way than a high capacity 9mm. If you have access to a long gun at hand then a 6 shot revolver in a 44 or 357 magnum caliber should be sufficient if not superior. I'd rather see our military go from 55.6 to .308 and from 9mm to the .357 or 10mm. Maybe issue a few ak47 platform 10 gauges with drum mags full of buck and ball. I can dream can't I.
When removing a revolver side plate it is best to use a plastic mallet and tap on the grip frame until the side plate comes off. Prying off the side-plate as show in this video, can cause the side plate to bend and not fit properly on the revolver afterwards.
Nice revolver and great review! On the DA strangth topic, my Dad has a Ruger Redhawk that he has had since the early 80's. He has put literally hundreds of thousands of rounds through that revolver, all .44 magnum and a huge percentage of those being his ultra hot 300 gr handloads. He doesn't handload anymore, but he still shoots and carries it on a daily basis. I just want to point out that his handloads were so hot, they actually damaged his best friends S&W 629 (not saying that's a good thing, LOL).
Beautiful guns, great channel, very informative. From a Brit - You are possibly the most American person I have seen and I love it! Long live the Republic indeed. Subscribed.
1700 euro's ooh thats not cheap , nice video again . Just sold a lawn mower on eBay. That's the last time my neighbour wakes me on a Sunday. Good morning everyone :)
When I think strongest revolver I think of my grandpa's ruger. He has one of the limited runs of the 6 shot 357s on the 44mag redhawk frame. It takes insane handloads and asks for more.
After watching this 4 years later and getting wood for one I searched and found them NIB in 2", 3", 4.25", 5.25" & 6" starting at $3200. I think this ship has sailed.
I'm sure they are a great firearm in their own rite but for $6000 I'd go get a couple of dz GP100's or SP101 which are also quality made tanks. I have the Security Six and GP100 which rec've a steady diet of 158 gr rounds and more than once I have put 185 gr bear loads thru my GP100 with no problems. Oh and the really nice part you can disassemble a Security Six and a GP100 with nothing more than a dime and the guns main spring. Thanx for the vid Sootch
Awesome firearm choice, never heard of these before. Seems pretty awesome and those are damn good pricing for the manufacturing process. Refinishing a real nasty one would be a cool project, and still good value for the end product.
I like them. They look like they are really built to last forever. Been looking at some revolvers. This might ne a good fit for me. thanks for sharing these.
Wow, I have never considered the excellence of the revolver. This made me want to try to save up, and find myself one of these little beauties. Thanks!
What I wish is if these grips could be put on something like a ruger Gp100. That "beaver tail" type grip would make shootin one of them even more of a breeze.
The Manurhin is made from tool steel. Rugers from cast steel, and DW from forged steel. Manurhin is inherently stronger, a lot stronger. But Rugers aren't delicate, just made a lot heavier because of the grade of steel theyre made from. I still prefer my gp100s trigger over most DA triggers though, I like the stacking at the end of the pull, you feel a slight click, and from there it's a SA trigger, build enough muscle memory and you can stage, and hold it there before every shot, and shoot quite accurately
Instead of popping the plate off with a screw driver... tap the frame of the revolver on something like a piece of wood or a rubber mallet. The plate will pop off. This will save you from putting any marks on the plate or marring it in any way.
Hello Sootch. I was lucky enough to get my hands on one. I'm an American here in Germany with a hunting license so I have a few hunting implements but my MR-73 is my ever reliable sidearm (on the hunting grounds and range only, of course.)
That rugged, worn look, especially on the parkerized version, makes the pistols look better IMHO. One of those "ages better with time" deals. Nice video, Sootch! Really enjoy this and your SensiblePrepper channel!
He holds the 3" model that was standard sidearm for French LO in the 70s and 80s before they switched to 9mm pistol and the 4" model was for French Gendarmerie (Like French Sheriff dpt) before they switched to 9mm Beretta. The MR73 Gendarmerie is extremely popular among civilian shooters and in France you can find used guns in extremely good conditions for $600. The most sought model is the MR73 5"1/4 version, super rare with adjustable sights designed for competition shooting above $1000 if you are lucky enough to find one Beretta has bought the patents but I don't know if the production will match the quality of the 70s
Lucky bastard! Great video, I never thought I would see these on an American youtube channel. As you said they're not even common here in France. However, 9mm is not restricted in France (and I believe it's never been). Calibers of war are allowed as long as the firearm is semi automatic only and not exceeding 31 mag capacity for rifles and 21 for pistols. They're just categorized in the "B" category of firearms, which requires more paperwork and a certain amount of steps (background check, psychological evaluation, etc...) :] Italy actually does restrict the 9x19mm cartridge, which is why Instructor Zero shoots 9x21mm. I do think .223 was restricted in France until the '90s, as Colt-made SP1 rifles and even (the very few made) civilian FAMAS rifles were ALL chambered in .222 to bypass restrictions. .223 is allowed in France and plenty of people shoot it, but I still see from time to time used guns for sale chambered in .222, as well as gun shops selling this cartridge.
That's one of the most amazing revolvers in the world. I'm a revolver guy S&W is my favorite brand. I own a few of them. But I really want to buy one Manurhin, but they are so expensive, that a the moment isn't possible! Yes I own some S&W revolvers that are more expensive than the Manurhin, but I don't sale, our trade any of my guns, because all my guns have a special meaning to me! The only guns I own that I "maybe" was inclined to trade is my Glock 17! My S&W revolvers, my Ruger, my Sig...etc I never going to sell or trade, because some of my guns is family guns from 2 generations and they are for my son and I just hope he pass them to my grandchildren (if he one day have kids) I'm saying this because my younger son only have 11 years old !
that is what one of our SWAT the one called G.I.G.N ( groupe d'intervention de la gendarmerie nationale they were the first group to be created then the police got jealous so they've created G.I.P.N same thing but for the state police then later on R.A.I.D and B.R.I these two were called when terrorist opened fire at a concert in paris on november 13TH 2015 ) the people who in the 90's stormed the highjacked airbus in marseille according to them it is a revolver you really can rely on and that is still in use among others the good thing about revolver type is that they rarely get jammed thanks for sharing :)
Yup. I was watching a video by the highly-touted Yankee Marshall the other day. He was demonstrating how to clean and lubricate a revolver. In his world, you pry off the sideplate with a screwdriver! LOL
Same as using a screwdriver bit too small for the job. While stating that using a good screwdriver is important. Most us French gunsmith are trained to cut the screwdriver for the screw. Making it span the whole in all three dimensions. But yeah prying a sideplate on such a gun a a sin.
Great video, very nicely done. I have started looking into revolvers now and with your recommendation, I will certainly be looking for one of these for my own keeping.
Dang, what a price tag! I was happy with my 686, and my 357 Python...which I carried as an officer, until they came out with the Beretta. I never reached their level of performance, even though I used both of them pretty heavily. They served me very well. But, dang, I never fired 750,000 round out of them. lol. Interesting gun..but what a price tag! Nice video
Hi Scotch we put in France a little bit Loctite for upper screw because this go easily It’s the case for the first type of Manurhin 73 after the younger model they replaced the screw with a hook I have one the same 4” barrel surplus first model parkerised Greetings from France
Yeah the finish / wear on the Parkerized one is just great. By the way, those very last two shot to the head of your target,..by the look on your face, you really meant that for someone else !!! Hahahaha.
I am sorry to say! I owned a MR73 30 years ago when I was a competative marksman The single and double action are adjustable seperately. . Very easy Single action simoly under 2.5 pounds DA simply under 3 pound With a primer that does not need a big blow to ignite, you have the best revolver in the world Amd DA the pull isthe same over the hole travel Unlike other brands
I thought that I was somewhat familiar with most if not all of Mil/LE/SpecOps small arms--yet this rather fascinating French Revolver caught me by surprise...you learn something everyday to be sure. Would love to see one of these French models tested against its American equivalent of say the Ruger GP, S&W 5/686 or the incomparable Colt Snake guns.
French guy here:
First, thanks for reviewing a French weapon, that's not a common thing on US gun RUclips.
You said 9 mm is forbidden in France for civilians. I don't know the story behind the 9 mm MR73, but it's completely legal to own a 9 mm in France. What you need is :
- Be registered in a shooting range
- Own a safe
- Have a mental and criminal background check
- Have special "suitcase" to carry your weapon around (concealed carry isn't allowed, so you don't get arrested by police on you way to the range)
- Be rich enough to afford the weapons and the ammos that are heavily taxed
Then you can buy any weapon you want as long as it isn't automatic and within a number limit that I don't remember.
The MR73 is really an iconic weapon in France, it is used by the Police and the famous GIGN. Nowadays, it's gradually replace by Sig Sauers. France nearly doesn't produce small arms anymore (unfortunately)... Contrary to the US, most of the weapon companies in France are state-owned so when the State stops its orders, the companies shut down. Manurhin doesn't exist anymore, the MR73 was basically the only weapon they produced that got commercial success. The company stopped its weapon manufacturing and the rights to their products was taken over by another company called Chapuis.
It's true that in France, we talk a lot about "armes de guerre" (war weapons) as opposed to "armes de chasse" (hunting weapons) and "armes de sport" (sport weapons).
Hope you found my comment informative!
Pandemoniumusic thank you for your people designing this beautiful weapon.
So basically you have no rights including freedom of speech
Ici au Canada , c'ESt plus ou moins la même chose (here in Canada , it's more or less the same . ) pour les loi d'armes courte . , mais des 357 , tu peut en trouver 30$ la boite de 50 . 1000$ (canadien) pour une S&W 686 6'' par exemple
Thanks for the info.
@@howiboy did you read what he wrote about getting a gun ?? its not hard to get a permit ! granted no CCW and no freedom of speech is bang out order !
I shot the Manurhin back in Australia, but the target version with adjustable rear sight. They costed around twice than a Colt or S&W but they were fantastic, the most accurate revolver I've seen in my life. Regards
those mr73s have match grade accuracy, you will find on custom made target pistols!!!
I'm french and proud you demonstrate this great revolver. However, when i click on "subtitles", Manurhin translation is "man urine"🚹.
The French drink the man-urine, no suprise
We’ll learn English then stupid this is America
At least it knows its gender.
@@User_jfnejejrjrjjfn Which, not witch.
@@wehrewulfgetting so upset for small details, “wich” the guy you correct probably speak more languages than you 😂
hi sootch !
I m french and I m very happy you can try a Manhurin.
In France 9mm is not forbidden.
I have glock 19, vz58, mosin nagant m44, walther p22, taurus st12 rifled barrel because our stupid laws and a bsa sportsman 15 in .22lr.
to have a gun (9mm , 357 even 22lr) you need a sport licence for target shooting and a LOT of things.
in fact almost all is illegal in france "country of liberty and democracy".
so for 9mm or 357 or 22lr it is the same authorisation we need.
except for hunting rifles but we need a permit.
sorry for my english.
because of your vids and iv8888 and mac one I learned english !
thank you !! :)
+Escalope Sorry but I read it in a number of places. It really doesn't make sense considering the 357 mag is way more powerful. Thanks for your comment.
Understanding stupids firearms french laws is impossible.
You have to wait many months and lot of forms and investigations about your life, background checks and even médical and psychiatric health for a 10/22 or a p22.
But for a 12 gauge you just need to pay a card and to be a target shooter or to have a hunter.
A lot easier for me to buy my mosin or my taurus st12 tactical rifled barrel than for my Walther p22.
Very very stupid laws.
+sootch00 but yes maybe because before 2013 38 special was consider like 22lr as defensive weapons
9mm as combat weapons.
now it s clear you can t defend yourself.
even if you carry a little pepper spray you can go in jail.
beautiful. only gangsters can carry weapons.
Escalope, the 9mm Para was forbidden for civilians in the 70s when the MR73 was made, considered as a war ammo.
A special cylinder was made to use 9mm in the MR to practice with a less expensive ammo. They dropped the idea, the market was to tight considering that sport shooters coulnd't use it because the revolver would be a category 1 instead of 4 (1 is War weapons) and considering issues about extracting the cartridges after shooting.
Nowadays it's different, I also own a 9 Para as a sport shooter ;)
I think the only limitation left is that we can't possess a full auto gun. It needs to be semi-auto. We may have a semi-auto AK47 for exemple, I think it's quite easy to possess a gun in France compared with many other countries...
Vive Manurhin ! Vive la France ! ;)
Pourvu que ça dure !
It has been a long time since I have seen a gun review about a gun I have never heard of. That was a nice treat. Thanks for bringing this gun to our attention.
Merci beaucoup pour cette revue sootch00 ! Thanks a lot for this review sootch00 ! Here in France we are proud of that piece of french engineering, still built by Chapuis Ames since Matra Manurhin abandoned the production ef firearms. It's tipically a french affair, like the FAMAS... The creator of the MR73, engineer Gilbert Maillard, made a synthesis of S&W and Colt revolvers, with a kind of french touch. The mainspring for example, is announced to be resistant to 200,000 rounds ! The mechanics is complex but smooth, the spring tension factory adjustable. You had to know that, in fact, the barrel is machined at 0,354 to accept the 9 mm round. Consequently, they had to forge a excellent barrel to support the pressure of the .357 round in a .354 chamber.
You can also remember the Assault in Marseille Marignane airport in 1994. "Thierry", a GIGN member, shot 3 times with his MR 73 and immediatly killed 2 terrorists and seriously injured a 3rd before he was wounded by 7 shots of AK47 (and he survived).
Prices are from 380 euros to 680 for a used MR 4" in good condition for the french market. The 3" model is very rare, even for us french shooters.
Excuse me for my english, long live to your republic (fight for your 2nd amendment and CCW, here we don't have since 1939...) & best regards from France.
Your English is a hell of a lot better than my French, I started a course online about a month ago. I have been teaching myself Russian and for some odd reason, I am not having a whole lot of trouble with French, Russian on the other hand at times I am pulling my hair out and I don't have much. As for the gun, Beretta is bringing them into the US. I plan on buying the MR73 four-inch barrel model. MSRP $3300 dollars. I don't know what the street price is going to be my guess around 3K. Well long live the French Republic, I hope you guys get your guns back a whole lot of the current nastiness would not be happening with some good old-fashioned self-defense. I am planning a little road trip thru the French countryside in 2022 when this covid business ends. Like some of our grandfathers, I am going to start in the little village of Sainte Mer Eglise.
I have had 2 Manurhin Mr 73 revolvers one with the 6 inch and the other one with the 5,25 inch barrel sports version ,both of them were like Swiss clock works and the finish also on the inside (wich is part of the high price) is perfect .
I used them for sporting purposes and they shoot like a nail driver one bullet after the other through the same hole .
The trigger adjustment and the "rollers" are also unique and you will not find on any other gun this specific type of trigger mechanisme .
I olso owned a Ruger GP100 6 inch and thats also a very good gun but there is no comparison when it comes to the trigger adjustment , I now own a S&W 686 with a 6 inch barrel wich serves me well and das the work for the compeion I do but my hart still goes for that MR73 with 5,25 inch barrel
I never heard of this firearm but now I do. That's why I appreciate your work on this channel. Thank you sootch!
I didnt know the French made revolvers until I saw that berretta was importing these today.
French make best weapons.
These revolvers have seen more action than most military sidearms.
only french weapons ive ever heard about been from gunjesus ian on forgotten weapons and that old joke about the old german ww2 gun collector with all the french guns decent condition despite every single 1 being dropped at least once🤣
@@p00lboy If you know where to look we got a lot of fascinating weapons
Best revolvers till date that I have seen. Excellent!
There's something undeniably attractive about those guns, they just look down to the purpose, precise, durable, tough, nothing extra, nothing unnecessary, yet precisely, finely made.
Thanks Sootch. Nice revolvers. I always love to hear the older guys calling revolvers "pistols". My dad, 70 years old, says that back before police replaced their service revolvers with pistols, everyone just called handguns, "pistols", whether or not they revolved or auto loaded.
Yeah, I’m an old guy (75) and a handgun is a pistol, I don’t care how it operates. I think folks who make the distinction and correct others on it, are snobs.
i love the grips
2:40 Well, I might be that guy ^^
Manurhin revolvers are indeed very expensive, although it's possible to find some really good second hand deals here (few hundreds euros for an old service one for example). The one I bought, a sport model with a 5,25 inches barrel costed indeed 1700 euros, but it was brand new, bought directly in a local gun shop.
3:38 You can actually own 9mm guns and ammo in France. I'm not sure why Manurhin stopped to make those though. The French law makes it hard to get those cylinders, maybe that's why (to make it simple, it requires as much paper work to get one of those 9mm cylinder than it is to get an actual gun).
12:25 The wood grip looks really cool, and as far as I'm concerned it might be a little bit more comfortable for .357 magnum, since with the rubber grip, all the recoil is going in the portion of skin between your thumb and index. It's good for follow up shots I guess, but it tends to be painfull after a few dozens shots.
These are in production . Beretta bought the company and now exports them .
you make the best videos sootch, man these revolvers are amazing
+Jamie 88 Thanks Jamie!
The story about why GIGN chose this revolver always amazes me. Initially, they used the S&W model 19 because of its good handling and accuracy. Until reliability issues appeared due to their intense target practice regime. Since each operator fired almost a hundred .357 rounds every day for practice, operators were seeing mechanical issues in the Model 19. This would lead to Manurhin being commissioned to make a revolver with similar handling and accuracy as the S&W Model 19, but with much higher durability.
30 years ago when Korth revolver were getting incredible expensive, I decided to buy a MR73 instead but the shop assistant persuaded me to buy a Colt Python. I really hate this guy because I sold the Python and bought MR 73 later anyway. (and Korth revolver too) and I kept them until today. No regrets at all.
Late to the party but thought I'd share, I picked up a MR73 a couple years ago thinking I could re-sell it at a better price (I honestly probably could) but everytime I pick it up and/or shoot it and realize how much I like it, any thought of selling it goes right out the window. This is a gun that will most likley go to the grave with me.
Every time these pop up I miss them by a day or two.... It'll happen, just like the hi power did. Great classic revolver!
Great video ! Glad you reviewed this superb piece.
Your videos and quick paced and full of great information. Thank you.
I was happy to hear about Beretta importing new M73s. Finally, they may be a bit easier to find.
A friend of mine part of the GIGN (the anti-terrorism group of the Gendarmerie) had this revolver - they used it mostly for close combat in confined spaces... very efficient. high quality, but indeed, very expensive!
Ceci dit maintenant on peut les avoir pour pas trop cher. J'en ai vu à 350€, franchement compte tenu de la qualité de l'arme, c'est l'affaire du moment (mais munitions un peu chères en 357 magnum). Bravo pour ton livre Survivre à l'effondrement économique ; je viens de le terminer et c'est une mine.
piero san giorgio c'est quand même vachement moins cher qu'un sac Vuitton
In France you can find it second hand in a real good state for $400-450, mostly cops don't fired too much their guns. Otherwise Chapuis Armes in France has taken over the production of this mythic revolver in 4", 5" and 6" but they don't come cheap. Proud owner of a 4", it's a delight to shoot with, trigger is so smooth.
350€? Ou ça ?
@@allthisrank Armu de la bourse il y a eu des occaz y'a quelques temps, mais surtout du MR88.
The MR73 is SUCH a good Revolver! I have an S&W M19 from the Performance Center, which was a gift for my 20th Birthday. I love it and I thought I'll never want another Revolver. Until I learned about the MR73. Since I bought one, the S&W rests in the Safe. A Little bit sad, but the Trigger on the MR is just better. Get one while you can my friends.
I did get one from Evolution in Idaho. Got it 4 months ago A magnificent MR73 , Had to wait a year 1/2 before seeing it . I guess they don't make them very fast . The price was up there too I have another MR73 who came from Austria , and both shoot the same my old one was made in 1973
In Europe, parents by their children the driving licence for their 20th birthday 🙄
Love the matte distressed finished on the right
I like the grips! I'll bet the way the top of the grip has that lip on it that goes over the top of the webbing on your hand really helps with barrel rise when shooting. I wish somebody made this kind of grip for the Ruger GP-100.
The rolex of revolvers
I love your videos. You always find things that are different and thats awesome. Thank you for all you do.
hi sootch... another good review.. i confirm from France as i'm a mr73 user in french police force... :-) a great great gun... thanks for talking about this unknown but so strong and lovely firearm... best regards
Always happy to learn about a rare surplus model. Pawn shops are famous for taking in lesser known foreign guns for almost nothing. I love the idea of a military .357. I know if I had to clear a house I'd rather have a.44 mag or .357 leading my way than a high capacity 9mm. If you have access to a long gun at hand then a 6 shot revolver in a 44 or 357 magnum caliber should be sufficient if not superior. I'd rather see our military go from 55.6 to .308 and from 9mm to the .357 or 10mm. Maybe issue a few ak47 platform 10 gauges with drum mags full of buck and ball. I can dream can't I.
I also reviewved this gun. I'm french and I absolutly agree with everything you said about that gun. Thank you for that great video
When removing a revolver side plate it is best to use a plastic mallet and tap on the grip frame until the side plate comes off. Prying off the side-plate as show in this video, can cause the side plate to bend and not fit properly on the revolver afterwards.
Even the internals have some similarities to a smith& Wesson, Those are some pretty cool guns.
Nice revolver and great review!
On the DA strangth topic, my Dad has a Ruger Redhawk that he has had since the early 80's. He has put literally hundreds of thousands of rounds through that revolver, all .44 magnum and a huge percentage of those being his ultra hot 300 gr handloads. He doesn't handload anymore, but he still shoots and carries it on a daily basis.
I just want to point out that his handloads were so hot, they actually damaged his best friends S&W 629 (not saying that's a good thing, LOL).
Beautiful guns, great channel, very informative. From a Brit - You are possibly the most American person I have seen and I love it! Long live the Republic indeed.
Subscribed.
1700 euro's ooh thats not cheap , nice video again .
Just sold a lawn mower on eBay. That's the last time my neighbour wakes me on a Sunday. Good morning everyone :)
congrats man hope you are still sleeping on sundays
When I think strongest revolver I think of my grandpa's ruger. He has one of the limited runs of the 6 shot 357s on the 44mag redhawk frame. It takes insane handloads and asks for more.
Yes sir
Thats awesome. Great video Sooch!
Hi Sootch! can you make video on micro desert eagle? very interesting mini pistol
Just bought one really good not even a 100 rounds through it for 650 it was an absolute steal.
Love learning history about firearms, thanks so much for the review.
After watching this 4 years later and getting wood for one I searched and found them NIB in 2", 3", 4.25", 5.25" & 6" starting at $3200. I think this ship has sailed.
Good looking hardware - but whew! What a price. Good find though, and I hope you get many hours of enjoyment out of them. That is a heck of a .357.
I'm sure they are a great firearm in their own rite but for $6000 I'd go get a couple of dz GP100's or SP101 which are also quality made tanks. I have the Security Six and GP100 which rec've a steady diet of 158 gr rounds and more than once I have put 185 gr bear loads thru my GP100 with no problems. Oh and the really nice part you can disassemble a Security Six and a GP100 with nothing more than a dime and the guns main spring. Thanx for the vid Sootch
I learned something new today. great video!
Awesome firearm choice, never heard of these before. Seems pretty awesome and those are damn good pricing for the manufacturing process. Refinishing a real nasty one would be a cool project, and still good value for the end product.
I like them. They look like they are really built to last forever. Been looking at some revolvers. This might ne a good fit for me. thanks for sharing these.
Wow, I have never considered the excellence of the revolver. This made me want to try to save up, and find myself one of these little beauties. Thanks!
What I wish is if these grips could be put on something like a ruger Gp100. That "beaver tail" type grip would make shootin one of them even more of a breeze.
WANTS! Would love to compare it to my old GP100.
I have no doubt that this French revolver is well made, but the GP100 is no slouch.
I had a Ruger supper Red hawk in .44 magnum and a Dan Wesson .357 2.5", I say that French revolver was no stronger.
+Spaceman Moe you dont know what you talking about :-) :-) :-)
fun fact the manurhin mr88 is based from a GP100 :)
The Manurhin is made from tool steel. Rugers from cast steel, and DW from forged steel. Manurhin is inherently stronger, a lot stronger. But Rugers aren't delicate, just made a lot heavier because of the grade of steel theyre made from. I still prefer my gp100s trigger over most DA triggers though, I like the stacking at the end of the pull, you feel a slight click, and from there it's a SA trigger, build enough muscle memory and you can stage, and hold it there before every shot, and shoot quite accurately
Damn you I was just going threw some of your old video and I'm already looking for one...you are definitely one of my favorite channels EVER
Instead of popping the plate off with a screw driver... tap the frame of the revolver on something like a piece of wood or a rubber mallet. The plate will pop off. This will save you from putting any marks on the plate or marring it in any way.
Hello Sootch. I was lucky enough to get my hands on one. I'm an American here in Germany with a hunting license so I have a few hunting implements but my MR-73 is my ever reliable sidearm (on the hunting grounds and range only, of course.)
probably a collector piece. there's so many s&w rugers floating around, it's a no brainer
That rugged, worn look, especially on the parkerized version, makes the pistols look better IMHO. One of those "ages better with time" deals. Nice video, Sootch! Really enjoy this and your SensiblePrepper channel!
The German Bavarian State Police used to carry S&W Model-19s that look almost exactly like the M73s.
He holds the 3" model that was standard sidearm for French LO in the 70s and 80s before they switched to 9mm pistol and the 4" model was for French Gendarmerie (Like French Sheriff dpt) before they switched to 9mm Beretta. The MR73 Gendarmerie is extremely popular among civilian shooters and in France you can find used guns in extremely good conditions for $600. The most sought model is the MR73 5"1/4 version, super rare with adjustable sights designed for competition shooting above $1000 if you are lucky enough to find one
Beretta has bought the patents but I don't know if the production will match the quality of the 70s
The compact version is AWSOME (the worn Finnish is absolutely amazing)
WOW! Thank you for the information sootch00! All highly used pistols! Nice pistols... I had not heard of these B4 2day.
I must have missed them, they're not on the Century Arms website.
+762x51n8o Try Classic Firearms. They're selling for $499 while they last.
a surplus 2" or 3" would be sweet to have! Nice revolver Sootch, thanks for showing this exceptional firearm sir!
Great video and great gun. I will be adding one to my revolver collection.
5 years old and they finally show it to me. Aaarrgh, I can't find them for that any more. They are now in the $3k range.
Definitely want to find one of these revolvers.
Lucky bastard! Great video, I never thought I would see these on an American youtube channel. As you said they're not even common here in France. However, 9mm is not restricted in France (and I believe it's never been). Calibers of war are allowed as long as the firearm is semi automatic only and not exceeding 31 mag capacity for rifles and 21 for pistols. They're just categorized in the "B" category of firearms, which requires more paperwork and a certain amount of steps (background check, psychological evaluation, etc...) :]
Italy actually does restrict the 9x19mm cartridge, which is why Instructor Zero shoots 9x21mm. I do think .223 was restricted in France until the '90s, as Colt-made SP1 rifles and even (the very few made) civilian FAMAS rifles were ALL chambered in .222 to bypass restrictions. .223 is allowed in France and plenty of people shoot it, but I still see from time to time used guns for sale chambered in .222, as well as gun shops selling this cartridge.
Awesome video sootch.
Damn! I had just convinced myself that I wasn't going to the gun show this weekend.
holy crap, i need one
So these things are pretty much the H&K Mk23s of revolvers. I'd love to get my hands on one!
Ruger called and said hold my beer.... But then decided to say hey wait a minute!
That's one of the most amazing revolvers in the world. I'm a revolver guy S&W is my favorite brand. I own a few of them. But I really want to buy one Manurhin, but they are so expensive, that a the moment isn't possible! Yes I own some S&W revolvers that are more expensive than the Manurhin, but I don't sale, our trade any of my guns, because all my guns have a special meaning to me! The only guns I own that I "maybe" was inclined to trade is my Glock 17! My S&W revolvers, my Ruger, my Sig...etc I never going to sell or trade, because some of my guns is family guns from 2 generations and they are for my son and I just hope he pass them to my grandchildren (if he one day have kids) I'm saying this because my younger son only have 11 years old !
Saw this in TFB TV last year. Beretta is producing them. At a cost of 3500 per unit.
9mm is not prohibed in France....Good post.
Thx for putting these on my radar (and for pulling the side cover) LLTR
Fine piece, would love to have those grips for the Ruger SP101..
nice revolvers bro thanks nice video too
Great vid Sootch! Love learning for your channel brother!👍🏻 one of these 357's might be the only one you need.
and now they’re being brought here by beretta from what I’ve heard!!!
Almost identical to the S&W 65-1. The market around here was flooded with Police trade ins last year and they were going for $350.00.
Wow, keep these videos of unknown treasures coming!
Nice thank you for the video.
Love your out takes... :)
glad you finally got some good screwdrivers sootch..
these are great revolvers. I got mine off of GB some years ago.
Excelent gun..... High price but more highest value..... You have a european jewel..... 🖖😀
that is what one of our SWAT the one called G.I.G.N ( groupe d'intervention de la gendarmerie nationale they were the first group to be created then the police got jealous so they've created G.I.P.N same thing but for the state police then later on R.A.I.D and B.R.I these two were called when terrorist opened fire at a concert in paris on november 13TH 2015 ) the people who in the 90's stormed the highjacked airbus in marseille according to them it is a revolver you really can rely on and that is still in use among others the good thing about revolver type is that they rarely get jammed thanks for sharing :)
Gign is more like FBI hotage rescue team rather than swat. Moreover, Gign are military and they are part of the COS (Special Operation COmmand).
anyone else cringe a bit when he pried the sideplate off with the screw driver?
It's kinda like running your nail across the chalkboard cringeworthy lol!
ooooh, yeah.
Yup. I was watching a video by the highly-touted Yankee Marshall the other day. He was demonstrating how to clean and lubricate a revolver. In his world, you pry off the sideplate with a screwdriver! LOL
Same as using a screwdriver bit too small for the job.
While stating that using a good screwdriver is important.
Most us French gunsmith are trained to cut the screwdriver for the screw. Making it span the whole in all three dimensions.
But yeah prying a sideplate on such a gun a a sin.
Lol. Yup.
Great video, very nicely done. I have started looking into revolvers now and with your recommendation, I will certainly be looking for one of these for my own keeping.
Like the gunmetal weathered finish.
i personally like the smaller model as well very nice gun and that look is classic and super cool talking piece at the range
Dang, what a price tag! I was happy with my 686, and my 357 Python...which I carried as an officer, until they came out with the Beretta. I never reached their level of performance, even though I used both of them pretty heavily. They served me very well. But, dang, I never fired 750,000 round out of them. lol. Interesting gun..but what a price tag! Nice video
Tha parkerized one looks bad ass! Very cool patina!
You should get that 4" reblued and have some custom wood grips made for it. Keep that parkerized one as is, for a robust "beater".
Hi Scotch we put in France a little bit Loctite for upper screw because this go easily
It’s the case for the first type of Manurhin 73 after the younger model they replaced the screw with a hook
I have one the same 4” barrel surplus first model parkerised
Greetings from France
I have the big $400+ set of Brownells for guns and guitars. Worth every penny and then some.
Yeah the finish / wear on the Parkerized one is just great.
By the way, those very last two shot to the head of your target,..by the look on your face, you really meant that for someone else !!! Hahahaha.
Nice presentation, glad you chose a French weapon, it changes S & W, COLT and RUGER
I am sorry to say!
I owned a MR73 30 years ago when I was a competative marksman
The single and double action are adjustable seperately. . Very easy
Single action simoly under 2.5 pounds
DA simply under 3 pound
With a primer that does not need a big blow to ignite, you have the best revolver in the world
Amd DA the pull isthe same over the hole travel
Unlike other brands
I thought that I was somewhat familiar with most if not all of Mil/LE/SpecOps small arms--yet this rather fascinating French Revolver caught me by surprise...you learn something everyday to be sure. Would love to see one of these French models tested against its American equivalent of say the Ruger GP, S&W 5/686 or the incomparable Colt Snake guns.
The MR 73 precion is famos,they drill the cartrichchamber in the rolingdrum throw the barrel and that was is,the mysterium.
I love this gun
Awesome video sootch00!
Still haven't been able to find one. Been wanting one for years now.