Beretta Partners with Chapuis — Bringing back the Manurhin MR73

Industry News Max Slowik This Week
Beretta Partners with Chapuis -- Bringing back the Manurhin MR73
The MR 73 is a legend in many revolver collecting circles and has an unrivaled reputation. (Photo: Beretta USA)

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 They’re built to withstand tens if not hundreds of thousands of full-house .357 Magnum rounds and were originally made to run over-pressure .357 ammo without issues.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.

Beretta Partners with Chapuis -- Bringing back the Manurhin MR73
Beretta will launch with 4- and 5.25-inch models. (Photo: Beretta USA)

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.

See Also: Colt Teasing that 2021 Will Be the Year of the Anaconda

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.

***Buy and Sell on GunsAmerica! All Local Sales are FREE!***

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Norm Fishler May 16, 2021, 10:31 pm

    Still looks as though it has the cylinder bolt notch directly over the chamber. I have personally handled several that have blown out in that exact spot.

  • Jimbo May 15, 2021, 4:23 am

    A bunch of new revolvers coming out…. in non-9mm. Sure would be a bogus deal if they banned magazines greater than 7 rounds, and gun owners had to choose between 7 rounds of 9mm, or 6 rounds of .357Migs (yes. migs. that’s my story and I’m sticking to it). When you start seeing news of more 9mm revolvers coming out, I’d say it may be time to Short glock, and go Long on revolver makers. Charter as well.

  • Bob Burkman May 14, 2021, 10:13 pm

    I noticed nobody compared the reliability or round count with Ruger GP100s or RedHawks… Just sayin.

  • Mason May 14, 2021, 7:27 pm

    If you can afford this gun, you can afford the price of .38 & .357 ammo right now to go with it. That is, if you can find any. Maybe Beretta should market their own ammo just for it (at a suitably appropriate price for the stylish gun). Folks don’t think twice about a good hunting dog at that price, guaranteed to get lost, shot, or die young of heartworm, or $50 grand for a Lexus or Mercedes…. A good revolver is forever, and doesn’t lose it’s value in half after taking it home.

    • IhateLibs May 15, 2021, 12:23 pm

      uhhh , sorry Mason but a Ruger IS a Good Gun , and Will last you Forever . just sayin . I still have two , sold my first ever revolver, a blackhawk 357 6″ bbl . a Ruger black hawk 357 . Got a New one and an Super Red Hawk 44Mag 10″ bbl. Both shoot extremely well . TYVM . And when I have to pay that much for a revolver it Better have a V-8 , 4×4 with all the bells

      • vsteel May 25, 2021, 4:21 pm

        I love Ruger and Smith and Wesson but the MR73 is not even in the same league. The MR73 is designed to fire 40K full power rounds a year through them. There are a lot of these pistols with hot loads that go through over 100K rounds without an issue. They can take loads with pressures 2X and not have a problem. The MR73 is made of very hard tool steel, I am sorry, they are not comparable to the Ruger, S&W, or Colt pistols. From the accuracy guarantee, to how they make the barrel to the bearings in the trigger assembly. Look up the details behind the gun. There is a reason this costs so much. You can argue that you might not fire enough rounds to make it even matter, but not they are equivalent.

  • guy May 14, 2021, 4:37 pm

    I do not shoot in competition and there is no way I will pay that much for a handgun! have had many different types of wheel guns and semiautos two I like best is an off-brand made Germany for a wheel gun in 38 and my Colt Gold Cup 45 auto and the most expensive was the Gold Cup just under 1000 the other was a gift have had both many years

  • Big Al 45 May 14, 2021, 2:48 pm

    While nice, I question the idea of a gun being so great because it’s ‘over built’ for super high pressure rounds.
    Fine for a handloader, but the average joe shooter can’t get their hands on anything that high in pressure, so what’s the point?
    And many revolvers out there will do hot loads all day, like the Rugers. and I can get my Rugers customized for less than these, to similar specs for trigger and action, so again, what’s the point?
    To each their own, but at those prices hardly worth my time and attention.

  • Dan Crocker May 14, 2021, 2:24 pm

    Another overpriced toy for the rich. I will pass. That company name sure is close to the term Manchurin.

  • Donald Blaufuss May 14, 2021, 11:36 am

    And i thought the new colt python was over priced! This makes the python a good buy!
    Don

  • John Kiss May 14, 2021, 11:30 am

    If you read other reviews they gave up trying to kill one at 170,000 full pressure .357 rounds. Even its evil half-brother (Korth) is only rated to 50K.

    Not sure Smith or Colt could come close to that without something letting go.

    Yes, they are expensive but so is anything of enduring quality (checked Rolex prices lately?)

    Either you “get it”…or you don’t…not much middle ground with this thing.

    • Mr Shifter May 14, 2021, 4:46 pm

      Don’t think I’ll be plunking 170k rounds down the range……I’ll stick with my Rugers, which will take a beating load wise too, not sure how many but more than I have and will put through them and my son and grandson after me……the MR73 is a nice one for sure and if I did have that kind of cash I might have one. God Bless you and yours fellow patriot.

  • Michael Jaral May 14, 2021, 11:14 am

    Being a gun collector I would say its about $2,000 to much. Nice looking revolver but not for that price, and I thought Standard was high!

    • Chris Wiggins May 14, 2021, 12:57 pm

      If you shoot one, you would realize that $3000 is a bargain for this gun. I have shot MR73s, Pythons, Korths and all manner of S&W Custom Shop pistols. None of them compare. Save your money and find out. IF you ever sell it, you will likely get all your money back. But, I doubt you will sell it. Cheers

  • FirstStateMark May 14, 2021, 8:29 am

    Nice looking gun but way too expensive.

  • leo May 14, 2021, 8:03 am

    This revolver is not even near to Smith in quality, it is very heavy as well. Plus price, why Beretta? Do you think many could afford it? Most Americans can afford high point and 50 rounds of ammo to it.

    • Chrs May 14, 2021, 12:59 pm

      Dude, S&Ws are decent revolvers, but you are way out of line to say that Manurhins are lesser quality than S&Ws. Read the history of the Manurhin and you will understand that they were made to replace S&W Revolvers that kept breaking. These are worth every penny.

  • Anthony J Romano May 14, 2021, 7:48 am

    Waay too much money for my blood! Are they crazy?

  • Rah Heim May 14, 2021, 7:19 am

    some have it But

  • Raymind L Heim May 14, 2021, 7:16 am

    very nice need more info thanks

  • PB- dave May 14, 2021, 7:12 am

    Nice revolver, however, at $3300 a Smith mod 19 or 28 would be a more prudent choice. I have paid that amount for a revolver, but it was a one-off from the Colt custom shop, ( 3/4 engraving , special ser.#, and ivory).

  • Terrence May 14, 2021, 5:15 am

    WOW I AM IMPRESSED WITH THE BRILLIANT IDEA OF THE OREGON GOVERNMENT TO BAN GUNS IN CERTAIN PLACES. THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT HAS BEEN MADE AWARE SO THEY HAVE THE ADVANTAGE IN THESE NEW LOCATIONS . REMIND ME TO AVOID THIS FORWARD THINKING GROUP OF JACKASS ESTABLISHMENT BUTT KISSERS.

  • DeBee Corley May 14, 2021, 4:44 am

    Yippee, a French six shooter. Only $3300. Better hire Jerry Miculek to the French Manuhin shootin’ team.

    Probably some swell stories of French law enforcement bringing bad guys to justice. Too expensive for the French Foreign Legion.

Send this to a friend