common korth issues?

stuckinthe60s · March 24, 2023, 06:45 AM

any owners or gunsmiths care to share the most common issues they've run into with korth pistols? thanks.

UncleEd · March 24, 2023, 08:02 AM

No real experience with the Korth other than
to dry fire two at LGSs. But from what I've
read, the gun's close tolerances mean that
"dirty" ammo can cause problems in function
even after a moderate amount of shooting.

I suspect this really applies to handloaders who
use a variety of powders, some not as clean
burning as others.

stuckinthe60s · March 24, 2023, 08:30 AM

interesting. sounds like over-engineering.

Electrod47 · March 24, 2023, 04:18 PM

The price is a bit of a problem.

rodfac · March 24, 2023, 07:46 PM

? Expense ?

stuckinthe60s · March 25, 2023, 11:24 AM

its not an issue for those that can afford it.

stuckinthe60s · March 31, 2023, 10:55 AM

must not be a big following with this gun.

PzGren · March 31, 2023, 11:59 AM

Korth collectors differentiate between Ratzeburg and Lollar guns. While both are Korths and share design features, this is where commonalities end. Korth pistols were only made in Ratzeburg, revovlers in Ratzeburg and Lollar.
The Ratzeburg revolvers are very solid and have uniform quality control with the exception of a period when von Bernstorff had acquired the company.

Korths do not suffer from being shot and it will not lead to problems to load the .357 Magnum up to max pressures and shoot the gun. I shot a .357 also on a regular basis with Bullseye powder, which is known to be dirty.

Of course, folks on the internet will come up with interesting stories and almost every member of some gun forums is a high master!

PzGren · March 31, 2023, 12:04 PM

"must not be a big following with this gun."

Not everybody has the funds to buy a Korth, they range used from $1,500 to $8,000 for standard models.

How many and which models do you wish to buy?

Korth started manufacturing firearms in 1964 with .38 Special Police revolvers that were not commercially successful and production of a little less than 1.000 revolvers continued through 1965 when he also started to make the first Sport series revolvers in the 21 serial range. These guns were all very well made and exquisitely finished.

This is an example of a 1966 vintage revolver with the ejector rod being pulled forward to release the cylinder. The push button for cylinder removal is a larger blued knob just as on the Police models.

In 1967 and 1968 the models in the 22xxx and 23xxx serial range had a smaller knob to take out the cylinder and the trigger rebound spring was accessable from the outside. The grips are generally still very crude and unchanged from the 21xxx. I changed them to a pair of the later Nill manufactured grips.

In 1969 till 1971 starting with the 24xxx and 25xxx serial range the revolvers had the action evolution basically finished and the new cylinder latch on the right side of the hammer and a square ending ejector housing. Most importantly an exchangeable bearing was placed on top of the trigger which allows a very repeatable stacking and incredibly smooth double action. From this model on the grips were manufactured by Nill to Willi Korth's specs.

In 1971 with the 26xxx serial numbers the adjustment for the trigger rebound spring was slightly redesigned and the ejector housing used a slanted design.

In 1975 starting with the 30xxx serial range the Sport revolvers have a two piece barrel with a shroud and full underlug. The barrel profile is round.

Since the new barrel shroud immediately drew comparisons with the Colt Python Willi Korth changed the profile to a slightly slab-sided design in 1979, starting with the 32xxx series. This was basically the Korth Sport in its final form.

There were different front and rear sight options available, including a micrometer adjustable rear sight with three blades, a ramped front sight and a trigger shoe.

The Sport model with Nill adjustable palmrest grips, micrometer rear sight and a trigger shoe was marketed as the Target model.

March 24, 2023, 06:45 AM	#1
stuckinthe60s Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2017 Location: Va., Ct., Mo.. Posts: 877	common korth issues? any owners or gunsmiths care to share the most common issues they've run into with korth pistols? thanks. __________________ Retired Military Aviation Former Member Navy Shooting Team Distinguished Pistol Shot,NRA Shotgun/Pistol Instructor NSSA All American, Skeet/Trap Range Owner

March 24, 2023, 08:30 AM	#3
stuckinthe60s Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2017 Location: Va., Ct., Mo.. Posts: 877	interesting. sounds like over-engineering. __________________ Retired Military Aviation Former Member Navy Shooting Team Distinguished Pistol Shot,NRA Shotgun/Pistol Instructor NSSA All American, Skeet/Trap Range Owner

March 24, 2023, 07:46 PM	#5
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	? Expense ? __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

March 25, 2023, 11:24 AM	#6
stuckinthe60s Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2017 Location: Va., Ct., Mo.. Posts: 877	its not an issue for those that can afford it. __________________ Retired Military Aviation Former Member Navy Shooting Team Distinguished Pistol Shot,NRA Shotgun/Pistol Instructor NSSA All American, Skeet/Trap Range Owner

March 31, 2023, 10:55 AM	#7
stuckinthe60s Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2017 Location: Va., Ct., Mo.. Posts: 877	must not be a big following with this gun. __________________ Retired Military Aviation Former Member Navy Shooting Team Distinguished Pistol Shot,NRA Shotgun/Pistol Instructor NSSA All American, Skeet/Trap Range Owner

March 24, 2023, 08:02 AM	#2
UncleEd Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2013 Location: N. Georgia Posts: 1,150	No real experience with the Korth other than to dry fire two at LGSs. But from what I've read, the gun's close tolerances mean that "dirty" ammo can cause problems in function even after a moderate amount of shooting. I suspect this really applies to handloaders who use a variety of powders, some not as clean burning as others.

March 24, 2023, 04:18 PM	#4
Electrod47 Member Join Date: April 27, 2021 Location: SE Mississippi Posts: 92	The price is a bit of a problem.

March 31, 2023, 11:59 AM	#8
PzGren Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2001 Posts: 1,260	Korth collectors differentiate between Ratzeburg and Lollar guns. While both are Korths and share design features, this is where commonalities end. Korth pistols were only made in Ratzeburg, revovlers in Ratzeburg and Lollar. The Ratzeburg revolvers are very solid and have uniform quality control with the exception of a period when von Bernstorff had acquired the company. Korths do not suffer from being shot and it will not lead to problems to load the .357 Magnum up to max pressures and shoot the gun. I shot a .357 also on a regular basis with Bullseye powder, which is known to be dirty. Of course, folks on the internet will come up with interesting stories and almost every member of some gun forums is a high master!

March 31, 2023, 12:04 PM	#9
PzGren Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2001 Posts: 1,260	"must not be a big following with this gun." Not everybody has the funds to buy a Korth, they range used from $1,500 to $8,000 for standard models. How many and which models do you wish to buy? Korth started manufacturing firearms in 1964 with .38 Special Police revolvers that were not commercially successful and production of a little less than 1.000 revolvers continued through 1965 when he also started to make the first Sport series revolvers in the 21 serial range. These guns were all very well made and exquisitely finished. This is an example of a 1966 vintage revolver with the ejector rod being pulled forward to release the cylinder. The push button for cylinder removal is a larger blued knob just as on the Police models. In 1967 and 1968 the models in the 22xxx and 23xxx serial range had a smaller knob to take out the cylinder and the trigger rebound spring was accessable from the outside. The grips are generally still very crude and unchanged from the 21xxx. I changed them to a pair of the later Nill manufactured grips. In 1969 till 1971 starting with the 24xxx and 25xxx serial range the revolvers had the action evolution basically finished and the new cylinder latch on the right side of the hammer and a square ending ejector housing. Most importantly an exchangeable bearing was placed on top of the trigger which allows a very repeatable stacking and incredibly smooth double action. From this model on the grips were manufactured by Nill to Willi Korth's specs. In 1971 with the 26xxx serial numbers the adjustment for the trigger rebound spring was slightly redesigned and the ejector housing used a slanted design. In 1975 starting with the 30xxx serial range the Sport revolvers have a two piece barrel with a shroud and full underlug. The barrel profile is round. Since the new barrel shroud immediately drew comparisons with the Colt Python Willi Korth changed the profile to a slightly slab-sided design in 1979, starting with the 32xxx series. This was basically the Korth Sport in its final form. There were different front and rear sight options available, including a micrometer adjustable rear sight with three blades, a ramped front sight and a trigger shoe. The Sport model with Nill adjustable palmrest grips, micrometer rear sight and a trigger shoe was marketed as the Target model.