I'm waffling on that. I talked with Kebco yesterday. Their import marks are laser engraved, polished, and reblued by the factory (Manurhin). Just says KEBCO HANOVER PA. Looks pretty clean. But still a Kebco billboard on the right side of the barrel. Beretta's marketing shots were careful to put the engraving in a dark portion without reflection so it's difficult to see the engraving, but it still says Beretta USA - Accokeek, MD. A bigger billboard. Trying to decide which set of marks is less objectionable.
Unfortunately, Kebco is all sold out of 4.25-inch guns, and not expecting to be able to get more.
Last edited by OlongJohnson; 04-29-2021 at 11:28 AM.
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Not another dime.
To add to what Tuvia posted here - Nill makes a lot of variants for their grips. They aren't well listed/cataloged on their website. Virtually everything they make can be had with/without finger grooves, stippling, open/closed backstrap, flared bases, right/left/ambi, with/without speed loader cuts, etc.
It's easier to order from MacTec - https://www.mactecsales.com/MR73_MR22_s/1998.htm - Those guys have the Nill catalog and understanding of working with Nill to get you what you want.
I was told by Ken that in this case, Chapuis adds the import marks. Not sure if it’s a Chapuis thing, but he says that he can’t do much different as far as making a less obtrusive mark. Also, when you buy from Kebco, confirm the rollmark. Ken has another company that does importation besides Kebco- Polaris Logistics, in Sterling, VA.
Says here they have them in 4”:
https://www.gunsinternational.com/gu...n_id=101616077
Of course, it’s a given that when a gun retailer lists an item for sale on the web, they absolutely positively have it in stock[emoji849]
I'd be particularly interested in the 4.25-inch with the Patridge front sight. The 4.25 is not the same as the 4-inch. (Just ask @Maple Syrup Actual.) The 4-inch barrel looks slightly stubby to my eye, without being a sweet 3-inch. And the ramp front sight with the full underlug makes it look oversize. Ramp sight with a half lug on a 4.25-inch Model 19 is great, but MR73 doesn't have a half lug version.
The 5.25-inch looks just a little long, proportionally. I might not think that with a half-lug version. On the other hand, it may look better balanced when I put a grip on it that fits my big mitts. Current plan is to carve some walnut to match the Hogue NFG GP grip that I've modified. It's quite a bit bigger than a K frame round butt.
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Not another dime.