With the help of Beretta USA, world-class Manurhin MR73 revolvers are now coming to the U.S. These handguns are legendary among revolver collectors and were only exported from France in small numbers, often just for military and police contracts.
“Beretta is proud to have the opportunity to bring the best revolver in the world to the U.S. market in cooperation with our sister company, Chapuis Armes — the parent company of Manurhin,” said Beretta’s Erik Stern. “These products are in keeping with our philosophy of producing the best offerings on the market, and we are excited to enter into the revolver market with such a storied brand and the renowned MR73 series specifically.”
Keen-eyed Beretta fans may have noticed the added listings on the Beretta website, but now they’re making it official. Beretta USA will formally launch the MR73 this week at the 2021 USPSA LOCAP Nationals in Talladega, Ala. Beretta will also have them on display at their Dallas, Memphis, and New York Beretta Galleries.
The MR 73 was developed by Manurhin specifically for the French Gendarmerie as well special units within the French armed forces and police. They’re built to withstand tens if not hundreds of thousands of full-house .357 Magnum rounds and were originally made to run over-pressure .357 ammo without issues.
Beretta will offer the MR73 in two models at launch, a “Gendarmerie” 4-inch and “Sport” 5.25-inch. Both chamber six rounds of .357 or .38 Special. Both also feature cold hammer-forged barrels, adjustable target sights, oversize target grips and adjustable target triggers.
The trigger can be tuned three different ways. It has an overtravel stop, a hammer force adjustment screw and a hammer spring adjustment screw, for the most control over the trigger feel without needing different springs or shims. Combined with the LPA sights and grips by Jacques Trausch, these are designed to dominate at revolver shooting sports, whether it’s putting very precise holes in paper or splitting bowling pins apart.
Obviously, the same features make these capable hunting revolvers and will do in a pinch for self-defense. They can easily stand up to the hottest .357 Magnum loads, it’s all on the table.
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The suggested retail price for these is up there at $3,300, but these are not only highly collectable, they’re incredibly durable handguns. Used Manurhin MR73 revolvers can fetch high prices even for models that aren’t in the best condition — if they can be found in the first place.
Hopefully, this arrangement will work out well for Chapuis Armes, Manurhin and Beretta. In the future, it would be very nice to see other versions, like a 3-inch carry model or an 8-inch hunting revolver. Still, the fact that they’re being imported at all, with the backing of a company as outstanding as Beretta, is great news.
For more information about the MR73 head over to the Beretta website.