Korth - are they worth it?

[1972RedNeck]

Looking for another 8 shot 357 Mag to add to my selection of 357s (mostly Smiths and Rugers).

Korth revolvers have had my interest for quite awhile. I don't have any friends with one so I have never been able to shoot one.

Obviously they are expensive. I could literally buy 4 Smith or Ruger revolvers with comparable specs and have money for a couple boxes of ammo left over.

But none of my MIM Smiths have a great trigger like my old 27-2. Only one of my Rugers has a good trigger (comparable to a new Smith) - the rest are poor. Several have had problems right out of the box.

So tell me about Korth revolvers. Are they the best of the best? Best DA trigger possible? Perfect SA trigger? Utmost reliability? Or does the trigger come at the expense of lighter primer strikes?

Built as strong as an old N frame?

I assume accuracy is second to none?

Any negatives beside price?

[Dfariswheel]

A cheaper option would be to send a good S&W to an expert revolver pistolsmith for an action job.
That will give a trigger equal to most any revolver.

The Korth is a very high end revolver, but somewhat overrated.
A good Python will shoot with the Korth for accuracy.
My opinion is the Korth is more a status symbol then a user revolver.
Rather like a $50,000 watch by an obscure Swiss maker that doesn't keep time any better then a Seiko.

Another option is the French Manurhin which has a great trigger in DA and SA.

[Jim Watson]

Bah, ordinary stuff.
I’d look at a Spohr. Or a Jantz if feeling extravagant.

[1972RedNeck]

Bah, ordinary stuff.
I’d look at a Spohr. Or a Jantz if feeling extravagant.

A Spohr is definitely on my radar screen. I just want another 8 shot 357...

[1972RedNeck]

A cheaper option would be to send a good S&W to an expert revolver pistolsmith for an action job.
That will give a trigger equal to most any revolver.

The Korth is a very high end revolver, but somewhat overrated.
A good Python will shoot with the Korth for accuracy.
My opinion is the Korth is more a status symbol then a user revolver.
Rather like a $50,000 watch by an obscure Swiss maker that doesn't keep time any better then a Seiko.

Another option is the French Manurhin which has a great trigger in DA and SA.

Manurhin is only a 6 shot. I'm looking for another 8 shot. I can fork over $4500 for a revolver if it is of the highest quality in every way.

[PzGren]

First off, Korths were developed in Germany as a German alternative to Colt and S&W, assuring better and more uniform quality and durability.
If somebody wants to own a firearm in Germany, he needs a reason to get the license and the most common reason is being in a gun club and practicing regularly. Germany has the first shooting association on record to have been founded in 1121 for the citizen soldiers to practice with the crossbow, long before standing armies became common.
That tradition was kept alive over the centuries and the average German gun club member had plenty of formal training, leading to better average practical results.

I have seen plenty of Korths and MR73s at German matches, so much for the nonsense that they are purely status symbols and collector toys.

Friend of mine shot his Korth at the German Championship two years, coming in third and first.

[stagpanther]

Do they cost just as much there--and would you spend that kind of coin for the one pictured in the "out of my price range" thread?

[44caliberkid]

Taurus has a new 8 shot 357, the 608 Competition, that has a factory tuned action. I have paid $1000 to $1500 for some great old S&W revolvers, but that is about my limit.

https://www.taurususa.com/revolvers/...in-soft-rubber

[4V50 Gary]

If I had the ducats I would. I love double action revolver shooting. So much fun.

I don't have the money.

[1972RedNeck]

Taurus has a new 8 shot 357, the 608 Competition, that has a factory tuned action. I have paid $1000 to $1500 for some great old S&W revolvers, but that is about my limit.

That thing is a bit ugly IMO. And my judge has left me with a bad taste with it's lock up problems.

[wild cat mccane]

Define strong to how you are asking.

Same issue with Ruger GP100. Everyone says they are stronger. They lock 3 times not twice. Okay. But define stronger.

The only points of failure on the outside of revolver are the top strap and cone.
The ultimate failure is a locked cylinder. Ejector star and rod are fairly simple items. Like you said, the Taurus has a questionable system. Agreed. So does the Colt. But when you hit S&W/Ruger, they don't.

Send an N frame to the Performance Center for 160 bucks and save thousands of dollars.

At some point, mechanical accuracy doesn't matter because you have a human holding it. So if the 160 tune from S&W gets your trigger to human perfect...not sure you gain anything by the metal being higher on the Rockwell scale?

[Dfariswheel]

There's always been the idea that the single locking Colt action is weaker then the double lock of S&W and other brands.

Consider that the other brands have to have a second lock because the cylinder is rotating counterclockwise and is being pushed out of the frame.

The Colt rotates clockwise and is being pushed into the frame.
In effect, the comparatively massive cylinder crane is being pushed against the massive frame and that contact IS a second lock, far stronger then a forward second locking system.

[FITASC]

I'd take a Willi made Korth over Nighthawk

[1972RedNeck]

Define strong to how you are asking.

19 GR of H110 behind 158 gr bullets for thousands of rounds.

[1972RedNeck]

Send an N frame to the Performance Center for 160 bucks and save thousands of dollars.

Who said anything about saving thousands of dollars?

If a Korth is perfect in every way right out of the box, I have no qualms about paying for quality. If it needs extra mods, then no, it's not worth it to me.

That's what I'm asking.

[bamaranger]

Somebody wants and can afford a Korth, good for them. Kind of like owning a Mercedes. If its your thing, have at it.

But 'Smiths and Fords are more affordable and do the same thing. Not for me.

[44 AMP]

The Colt rotates clockwise and is being pushed into the frame.
In effect, the comparatively massive cylinder crane is being pushed against the massive frame and that contact IS a second lock, far stronger then a forward second locking system.

I understand this, but I disagree that it is a "lock". The force pushing the crane into the frame ends when the cylinder stops rotating. TO me, that's not a lock.

[wild cat mccane]

If you are asking if it's good to go, yes.

If you asking if there is a measurable thing (case hardening, forging, realistic longevity) factor that puts this above a $165 dollar service from the performance center: https://www.smith-wesson.com/custome...on-gunsmithing


no...

[Dfariswheel]

"The force pushing the crane into the frame ends when the cylinder stops rotating".

Not in the old Colt action and not in the very new models.
The hand that rotates the cylinder continues pressing the cylinder and crane into the frame as long as the trigger is being pulled.

This is the famous old Colt "Bank vault lockup".

[Drm50]

I would much rather have an older model S&W super tuned by professional than spen crazy money on a Korth. I’m no a contender as are most of us. That’s 2nd reason, what is a Korth going to do for you and your shooting?
Look at Colt 1911s. There is a dozen outfits making the 1911 pistol for less money than a Colt. There are also several manufactures selling at premium prices because they are hand fitted to finer tolerances than assembly line products. Same thing with Rugers Blackhawk revolvers. The designs are time tested. The products have suffered the Bean Counters magic and now there is a demand for a precision product. Where there is a demand and a buck to be made, somebody will jump on it.

[Jim Watson]

I am not tremendously well traveled, IDPA Nationals for ten years, some USPSA State and Regional matches. Some of that time I was shooting a revolver, Colt or Smith, a minority Division but I had fun. I never saw a Korth or a Manurhin or a Jantz high end European revolver. I saw some Rugers, even a Taurus, once, but never a Smolt or Cougar.

The guns sell but not to anybody I hang out with.

[flyer898]

I have eight Korths. I suppose that tells you what I think. I have Pythons and pre-model number S&Ws too.
I would like to have a couple of Manurhins too but California.

[wild cat mccane]

You aren't looking for cost or have a defined measure.

If you are asking are they good to go, yes.

[Mannlicher]

Korth, Spohr are well built indeed, but they don't offer me enough advantage over a good S&W or Colt to make me want to buy one.