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May 16, 2012
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Intriguing title ha?
A fellow shooter and friend after seeing my 715 decided that he wanted a top spec revolver too. He decided not to go the American way and bought a 6” Manurhin MR73. The only problem was that there is no importer for these guns here, so he went through a nerve racking procedure to make it happen. After having them both side by side and shot them, I’m tempted to compare them. First of all I want to clear that I’m extremely biased and firmly believe that Dan Wesson are the best revolvers around and wouldn’t trade mine for anything!
-Quality,Fitting-
Both are really well made but I must admit that the bluing on the Manurhin is top notch and its fitting absolutely magnificent. The cylinder gap was perfect on both of them (accepting congrats!) but a third shooter that shot both of them felt that the Dan was louder with the same ammo so maybe the Dan was a bit tighter. Undoubtedly the 715 is very well made and tight like a drum but few machining marks (soon gone get rid them all) give it a close second place there.
-Mechanics-
The Manurhin has a very complicated but reliable firing system. In real life the trigger pull is no lighter and no crispier comparing to my Dan. The simple and purposeful firing system of Dan Wesson is truly admirable, when in my view, manages to match or even surpass the Manurhin’s one. The Manurhin lacks a transfer bar but has a spring loaded firing pin on the hammer. Also the cylinder turns the wrong way around! Maybe I’m used to it, but the Dan felt a bit more… right, you feel everything in SA and DA cracking precisely. Can’t describe it any better and I’ll give them a tie over this one.
-Ergonomics-
Here is the part were non Dan Wesson owners (Don’t think are many in here!) will laugh at me. Firstly the Manurhin felt a bit small in my average sized hands comparing to the chunky Dan Wesson frame. Secondly the grip beaver tail wouldn’t allow the gun to sit low in my hand, but that can change with another grip. Thirdly I truly dislike the frame positioned cylinder latch, there you go I said it! I have been firing Smith’s and Colt’s all my life and never liked the frame positioned latch. Finally the Manurhin is lighter and has a small bull barrel so the kick is more powerful. I have to give this match to the mighty Dan as an enthusiast.
-Accuracy-
We all know Dan Wessons are hard to beat in this area, but the Manurhin pulled it off great! Wasn’t better, but it was equal, and this is high praise! Another tie then.
-Durability, Versatility-
Because we are comparing non-similar items, an SS revolver with a blued one, I’ll just say that the bluing of the Manurhin seems pretty solid and will weather nicely. Having the experience of owning a Dan fed with many thousands of 0.357’s as a steady diet for over 20 years and present no serious malfunctions I believe the 715-15 is at least as durable as the MR73 and certainly more serviceable. As for versatility I’m not bothered to write anything! A win for the 715!
-General Appearance-
Nothing can match the lines of a 715 VH Dan! Period! Python maybe? Nah too rounded!
I hope you enjoyed this read, the MR73 is a truly awesome revolver but as I wrote in the beginning wouldn’t trade my Dan over it! Sorry for any typos and for the crappy pictures!
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Albert, thank you for the wonderful and informative post. I own a very well used police fixed sight Manurhin and am very fond of it but a comparable model 14 or 14-2 seems at least it's equal. The DW is such a delight to work on and so easy to get parts compared to the Manurhin that there is no denying which is preferable. The Python though might be fit and finish a head above all guns IMHO. Again, thank you for a terrific post. Too bad you can't have as many Dans as you want as easily as we can. Or maybe it's a good thing. I just purchased number 46. I may have a problem. On the other hand, you may never have too many dans it seems.
February 20, 2008
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Thank you for the great write-up. Well don.
If you're going to drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
May 16, 2012
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Thanks guys! Glad you liked it! Ole Dog I wish I had a bigger problem than you! As the crisis continues here I wish I will be able to keep at least this one. If I'm correct your Manurhin must be an F1, a Ruger derivative.
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Albert, I have an original MR 73 with a 4" barrel. It is cosmetically challenged but not as bad as most former Gendarme guns are. It is basically a Smith and Wesson on steroids, all forged with the cold hammered barrel and the two screws for adjusting the leaf mainspring AND the trigger return spring. Because of its cosmetics and it's reliability it is my truck gun(I lock it faithfully). In case I don't have my conceal carry with me. Speaking of Rugers, I love SP 101's. One of the strongest guns ever made IMHO. I am especially fond of one chambered in 9 mm with moon clips.
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