Manurhin MR96
Manurhin (Manufacture de Machines du Haut-Rhin) · Pistol · Discontinued · 1996
Also known as: Manurhin MR-96, MR96
Overview
The Manurhin MR96 is a French double-action/single-action .357 Magnum revolver and the last generation of Manurhin's combat revolver line, succeeding the MR93. Built in Mulhouse using highly automated machining held to tolerances of around one-hundredth of a millimetre, it carried a six-round swing-out cylinder, a ventilated-rib barrel offered in 3, 4 and 6 inch lengths, an adjustable rear sight, and ergonomic rubber grips. Sharing the rugged lockwork heritage of the renowned MR73, it was withdrawn in 1998 when Manurhin exited small-arms manufacture as police forces transitioned to semi-automatic pistols.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1284 g (45.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 245 mm (9.65") |
| Barrel Length | 102 mm (4.02") |
| Action Type | Revolving |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Revolving Cylinder |
| Muzzle Velocity | 440 m/s (1444 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 784 J (578 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Rubber |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .357 Magnum · primary — also known as .357 Mag, .357 S&W Magnum, 9x33mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Revolver Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Transfer Bar, Rebounding Hammer
- Features: Ventilated Rib Barrel, Adjustable Rear Sight, Ergonomic Rubber Grips, Swing Out Cylinder, Tight Tolerance Manufacture
Production
Production years: 1996-1998
Short production run; Manurhin withdrew from small-arms manufacture in 1998 amid a worldwide police shift to semi-automatic pistols.
Origin
Country of origin: France
Discontinued: 1998
Notes
Restyled, automated-production descendant of the MR93. Manurhin left small-arms manufacture in 1998 and the revolver line passed to Chapuis Armes; Beretta Holding later acquired a majority stake in Chapuis in 2019. Weight figure (~1284 g / 2.83 lb) and overall length are for the 4-inch barrel variant.
Background
Manurhin revolvers were famed for being assembled within four hours of an order from stocks of parts machined to roughly one-hundredth of a millimetre, requiring almost no hand fitting. The MR96 was the final flowering of this French precision-revolver tradition before the company exited the trade.