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Old August 2, 2006, 05:05 PM   #1
bobhwry
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Korth Prices?

Anyone own one and what do they cost?
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Old August 2, 2006, 05:09 PM   #2
JR47
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Did you mean Korth? If so, have DEEEEP pockets, as they will run several thousand dollars used.
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Old August 2, 2006, 05:18 PM   #3
Erich
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"Korch," on the other hand, are probably pretty cheap!
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Old August 2, 2006, 07:20 PM   #4
bobhwry
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Sorry, I did mean Korth.
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Old August 2, 2006, 08:57 PM   #5
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This is off the top of my head so take it with a grain of salt. Korth's been in buisness for over 30 years now. You see their early revolvers in .38 Spl. on sale now and then on Auction Arms, Gunbroker, ets. for the 400-600 range depending some on condition. These early pieces wern't alot to talk about. Well made, heavy trigger pull and OK guns. They borrowed alot from S&W. Had they gone no further than this no one would remember them. But they didn't.

In the early 70s they started hand makeing all their guns out of especially strong steel. All parts except the trigger, hammer, and some internal parts were and are made from the same forged billet of steel. They are than hand fit together to very close tolerences. The guns externally borrowed a bit from the Colt Python (ventilated rib, full length underlug)but internally are quite different.

Some of those differences are: *the SA trigger pull is adjustable be the owner with a screwdriver, two in fact.
*The weight of the da pull is also adjustable by a Korth gunsmith (Earl's Repair Service is the only smith in the U.S. that can do this) by changeing a set of bearings inside the gun. The bearings are of different dimensions and can increase the heaviness and smoothness of the pull.
*The Cylinder latch is not in the usual place but sits up next to the hammer which is handy actually, and also prevents your thumb being gouged in recoil by the cylinder latch as sometimes happens with Smiths.
*The cylinder is easily removable for cleaning. You press a button and it slides right out. For many years now Korth has offered the guns with interchangeable cylinders for 38 Spl. and .357.

The trigger pull on these guns stacks like a Colt. The trigger is not as good as a good S&W. The guns are however stronger than any .357 Smith and Wesson has built and are held to closer tolerences which will stand up to heavy loads over time.

Anyway back to price. New guns are anywhere from 5000.00 to 8000.00 and come with a box, extra cylinder, cleaning tools, etc. The difference in the price reflects type of finish, engraving, etc. Used Korths are hard to find. Used with all the stuff are maybe harder as folks who spend that kind of cash usually aren't big time shooters and usually don't part with the guns.

So roughly at the lower end you might be looking at the price of a used Python or maybe from 1500 to 3000 grand depending on condition and stuff with it. But it could be lower. Hard to tell as there aren't many around used.

tipoc
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Old August 3, 2006, 10:40 AM   #6
Jeff #111
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I'm curious about Korths. But they are waaaaay too rich for my blood. I was stationed in Germany from 93-96 (Hohenfels/CMTC) and actually saw a Korth with a 6" barrel. The owner of a local business had his handgun collection on display - behind 1" inch thick security glass. Closest I've ever come to a Korth.
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Old August 3, 2006, 11:56 AM   #7
918v
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Quote:
Anyone own one and what do they cost?
If you have to ask, you can't afford it.
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Old August 3, 2006, 12:27 PM   #8
tipoc
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A few pics of a Korth. This one was produced in 1976.



Next to an M28 for comparison. The button alonside the hammer is the cylinder latch. In size the piece is a tad smaller than an L frame.



In this pic note the small button just above and at the front of the trigger guard.



When the button is pressed the cylinder and yoke can be removed for cleaning. If I had a switch out cylinder I could put the .38Spl. cylinder in. Standard Korths come with two seperate cylinders. The button can only work when the cylinder is open.



The entire cylinder is recessed like the Python.



I stumbled across this one a couple of years back. No box, no accessaries, no extra cylinder. Just the gun as you see it. I wanted to try it so I worked a trade and some cash. About the price of a 1911 from Baer or Wilson all in all. I'd sell it for the right price as other guns call and so do bills and the .357 ain't my favorite round. In a head to head test with the M28, which was made in 1978 the gun I mean, I did the shoot outs last year,the Korth had a slight edge in accuracy with some but not all loads of .357. It shot more accurately with all loads of .38 Spl. that I tried by about 1/4". In shooting heavier loads (180 grain, 165 gr., 200 grain) the yoke of the M28 bent as well as the ejector rod and the gun began to go out of time and spit lead. The Korth sailed through with no problems. It is a strong gun. The heavier loads of .357 I'll keep in a Ruger Blackhawk or other single action.

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Last edited by tipoc; August 3, 2006 at 07:27 PM.
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Old August 3, 2006, 12:41 PM   #9
918v
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How many rounds and how's the topstrap flame cutting? I wonder how this special steel is holding-up to erosion.
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Old August 3, 2006, 01:06 PM   #10
tipoc
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I got this gun second hand, it had at least one previous owner before the one I got it from, so I have no idea how many rounds through it. The backstrap had the plasma blue worn off when I found it so that let me know a shooter had it for quite a bit. I've put about 500 rounds of .357 through it and a couple hundred of .38 Spl. There is very little erosion to the top strap. The M28-2 which had been shot very little when I got it shows more erosion.

IMHO this is a good range/target gun and useful for hunting with iron sights. This is their "Sport" model which is different from their "Target" model in that it has a ramped front sight rather than a Patridge.

The steel is not so special it is the hardning that they do, 60HRc. More info on this can be found at the Korth website. www.korthusa.com

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Old August 3, 2006, 01:53 PM   #11
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Price of a Korth? Well, let's just say that I lump them in with high-end cars, yachts, jewelery, and so forth:

If you have to ask, you can't afford it.
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Old August 3, 2006, 05:29 PM   #12
Jeff #111
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A whole lot of curiosity about the Korths. Mr. Tipoc is the only person I'm aware who owns one. Those are also some of the best pictures that I've ever seen of the Korth.
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Old August 3, 2006, 07:45 PM   #13
tipoc
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Personally I'd never pay full price for one. I have no desire to buy one new evan if I hit the lotto. Simply to me not worth it. Often bought by the wealthy for status or very dedicated bullseye shooters who want the best available.They are good guns and I'm glad I've had time with this one. If you find one used as I did and can work a trade or deal try it out.

The gun is so tightly fit together that after about 50 rounds the powder residue needs to be cleaned from the cylinder face or the rotation of the cylinder is slowed. Not a problem, just a quick wipe. But the piece is 30 years old and has had at least a few thousand rounds through it and is as tight as the day it was made.

The single action on mine is excellent but for fast da work I prefer a S&W.

Like I said I've seen the older 4" barreled guns on GunsAmerica for $400-600. Don't recall the condition, most likely bring backs from Europe. But they are rare.

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Old August 3, 2006, 09:42 PM   #14
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The trigger stacks like a Colt?

No thanks.
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Old August 21, 2006, 08:23 PM   #15
tipoc
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Go to www.gunbroker.com

enter Korth in the search function, you'll see a few there. Including mine. I started low, let's see.

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Old October 18, 2006, 01:52 AM   #16
Red Grant
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Dear Tiptoc,



I've been very interested in Korth revolver, and I already knew for DA trigger pull is better on S&W and Manhurin than Korth.



My problem is my short fingers with medium sized hand.


How is the DA trigger reach distance for Korth as compared to S&W, let's say either K or L frame?
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Old October 18, 2006, 02:52 AM   #17
Tokamak
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Korths $4700.00 plus.

According to this website, a Korth is $4700.00.

http://www.kitsune.addr.com/Firearms...h_Revolver.htm

I will probably never own one.
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Old October 18, 2006, 07:19 AM   #18
tipoc
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The reach to the trigger is about the same as a S&W.

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Old October 18, 2006, 09:29 AM   #19
rick_reno
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Tipoc - thanks for posting those pictures. Nice gun.

There are a few on Gunbroker - prices range from $3295 to $11000 for a gold one. There is one in the middle for ONLY $5000.
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