Manurhin MR 73

Manurhin MR 73

MR 73 Gendarmerie variant.
Type Revolver
Place of origin  France
Service history
Used by See Users
Production history
Designed 1973
Manufacturer Manurhin
Variants Gendarmerie,[1] Sport,[2] Match[3]
Specifications
Weight 880g (2.5"), 890g (3"), 950g (4")
Length 195mm, 205mm, 233mm
Barrel length 2½", 2.75", 3", 4", 5¼"
Cartridge
Action Double-action
Feed system 6-round cylinder
Sights Iron sights, both fixed and adjustable
Match (MR 38) variant.

The Manurhin MR73 is a French-manufactured, double-action revolver chambered in .38 Special/.357 Magnum. The MR73 is manufactured by Manurhin and is available in 2.5", 2.75", 3", 4", 5¼", and 6" barrel lengths.

Usage

The MR73 was standard issue with France's Gendarmerie and in some police units including Special Weapons and Tactics teams (RAID, GIGN and comparable units).

The GIGN selected the MR73 in part for its ability to almost indefinitely withstand 150 rounds of full-power ammunition during daily range practice. These teams also use MR73s with scopes and 8" and 10" barrels for tactical purposes. Over one million rounds were allegedly fired through one example.

Specifications

Every MR73 is match grade accurate, shipped with its own factory test target fired at 25 meters. Averaging 15 rounds, no group over 20mm (0.8 inch) diameter with selected ammunition is allowed.

The MR73 has an adjustable trigger weight in both double-action and single-action modes- a feature not found in any other revolver. These adjustments do not alter the strength of the main spring, ensuring reliable primer ignition. This is due to the use of roller bearings in the trigger mechanism along with extensive hand fitting and polishing of components during assembly. The MR73 requires more than 12 hours of hand-fitting at the factory, making it about 50% more expensive than competing U.S.-manufactured brands.[3]

The revolver can be converted to 9mm Parabellum with a supplied replacement cylinder, however, 9 mm Parabellum IAW French law has the status of ammunition of war. Thus, from the early 1980s, production was limited to the versions in .357.

Cylinder chambers are finished with an impact process that makes them glass-smooth and extremely hard. The factory proof-fires each cylinder chamber with .357 Magnum ammunition generating 30% more pressure than the C.I.P. maximum allowable pressure for the Magnum cartridge. The factory guarantees that the cylinder will not burst or show any bulging or deformation with .357 Magnum ammunition developing double the standard maximum allowable pressure of 300 MPa, meaning the cylinder can withstand 600 MPa (87000 psi, or 43.5 tons per square inch).[5]

The frame, cylinder, and barrel of the MR73 are made from ordnance-certified, alloyed steel. Barrels are manufactured by cold-hammering. The rifling is formed during the forging process, eliminating the need to cut the rifling as a separate manufacturing step. This creates an extremely hard and microscopically smooth internal barrel surface.[6]

Variants

A sporting variant called the MR32 is produced in .32 S&W Long. It was first produced in 1985.[7]

A variant called the Gendarmerie features adjustable rear sights and larger front sights.

Other variants

Users

References

  1. ↑ Hogg, Ian (1989). Jane's Infantry Weapons 1989-90, 15th Edition. Jane's Information Group. p. 17. ISBN 0-7106-0889-6.
  2. 1 2 http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg66-e.htm
  3. 1 2 http://www.recguns.com/Sources/IIIB2c.html
  4. ↑ https://store.bluebookinc.com/InstantAccess/Model.aspx?product=5&id=1174
  5. ↑ id.
  6. ↑ http://www.sportingguns.com.au/Pistols/manurhin/MR73products17.html
  7. ↑ McNab, Chris (2004). The Great Book of Guns: An Illustrated History of Military, Sporting, and Antique Firearms. Thunder Bay Press. p. 191. ISBN 1-59223-304-X.
  8. ↑ http://www.bmi.gv.at/cms/BMI_EKO_Cobra/publikationen/files/LawOrder.pdf
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Hogg, Ian (1989). Jane's Infantry Weapons 1989-90, 15th Edition. Jane's Information Group. pp. 826–836. ISBN 0-7106-0889-6.
  10. ↑ https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_af_niger
  11. ↑ Jones, Richard (2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group. p. 902. ISBN 0-7106-2869-2.
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