Manurhin MR73
Manurhin (Manufacture de Machines du Haut-Rhin) · Revolver · In Production · 1973
Also known as: MR73, MR-73, Manurhin MR 73
Overview
The Manurhin MR73 is a French double-action/single-action service revolver chambered in .357 Magnum, introduced in 1973 and developed at the request of the Gendarmerie Nationale. Each example is largely hand-fitted by master gunsmiths around a forged steel frame and cold-hammer-forged barrel, with an adjustable trigger and micrometer-adjustable sights. Famous for its extraordinary durability, it became the long-serving sidearm of France's elite GIGN counter-terrorism unit. Originally built at Mulhouse, it has been produced since 1998 by Chapuis Armes and is now marketed under the Beretta group.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1083 g (38.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 292 mm (11.50") |
| Barrel Length | 152 mm (5.98") |
| Height | 140 mm (5.51") |
| Width | 38 mm (1.50") |
| Sight Radius | 205 mm (8.07") |
| Action Type | Recoil Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Double Action Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Trigger Pull | 28 N (6.3 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Rotary |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 400 mm (15.75") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .357 Magnum · primary — also known as .357 Mag, .357 S&W Magnum, 9x33mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Swing Out Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Hammer Block, Rebound Slide
- Features: Hand Fitted, Adjustable Trigger Weight, Adjustable Trigger Stop, Micrometer Adjustable Rear Sight, Undercut Target Front Sight, Cold Hammer Forged Barrel, Swing Out Cylinder, Extreme Durability
Variants
- Manurhin MR73 Sport — Target
- Manurhin MR73 Gendarmerie — Service
- Manurhin MR88 — Successor
Service history
Operators
- GIGN (Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale) · adopted 1973
- Gendarmerie Nationale · adopted 1973
- French National Police
Production
Production years: 1973-present
Mass-ish production at Mulhouse 1973-1998; since 1998 small hand-fitted batches by Chapuis Armes; no published total
Origin
Country of origin: France
Designer: Gilbert Maillard
Notes
Offered in barrel lengths from 2.5" to 6". Production moved from Manurhin (Mulhouse) to Chapuis Armes in 1998; current low-volume hand-fitted production continues. Beretta released a 50th Anniversary edition in 2023.
Background
The MR73 is legendary for endurance: factory testing reportedly showed it could fire on the order of 170,000 rounds of full-power .357 Magnum without significant wear, which is why GIGN operators, who trained with punishing daily live-fire regimens, trusted it as a service sidearm for decades.