Rigor, Discipline, and Excellence: Christian Prouteau on GIGN Training and MR-73
Interviews
•
32m
I am honored today to be able to bring you an interview with Christian Prouteau, the founder and original leader of GIGN. This is France's premier elite counter-terrorism force, who have been at the forefront of developing modern special operations techniques and standards. Prouteau led more than 60 operation during his tenure leading the unit, including the hostage rescue simultaneous shot at Loyada.
Today, we are speaking specifically about the Manurhin MR-73 revolver, which was developed specifically for GIGN at Prouteau's direction. The use of a six-shot revolver seems quite out of place in special operations units, but there were a couple very specific reasons behind the choice. Most interesting to me is Prouteau's philosophy of training and shooting skill, and his interpretation of a intervention unit's core mission.
00:00 - Introduction
00:45 - Why a revolver instead of a semiautomatic pistol?
03:40 - Did GIGN consider cartridges other than .357 Magnum?
06:25 - Was GIGN involved in development of the MR-73?
11:14 - What range did GIGN practice revolver shooting at?
12:55 - Reactions times and training habits
17:34 - The "Confidence Shot"
19:06 - How often was the revolver actually used in field operations?
21:51 - So not just a ceremonial sidearm? Prouteau's revolver philosophy
22:23 - The scoped sniper MR-73 revolvers
24:59 - Why didn't more agencies use something like the sniper revolver?
27:18 - The goal is the minimum of shooting - elite unit training
29:13 - Revolver ammunition
30:53 - Conclusions
* Cartridge energy note: Prouteau referenced cartridge power in kilograms, and I'm not sure exactly what measurement he meant. I have substituted muzzle energy in Joules, as he was making a point about relative power between cartridges and barrel lengths and the specific unit were not really important to his comments.
Many thanks do my anonymous friend who arranged this interview and acted as live translator, and to my friend Edouard for providing the translated captions! Any error in their timing and details are my own fault.
Up Next in Interviews
-
Christian Prouteau on the FR-F1 Rifle
My interview with Christian Prouteau focused on the MR-73 revolver and how his men in GIGN trained with it. However, I did also ask him about the FR-F1 rifles, and figured I would separate that brief conversation out since it was on a different subject. Specifically, I asked why the FR-F1 used su...
-
How to Become a Professional Gun Desi...
The introductory clip was from my interview with Tony Neophytou, a talented and successful South African firearms designer (his work includes the Neostead 2000, Inkunzi PAW, and NTW-20 rifle). He doesn't mince words; it's a very difficult field to succeed in - and I regularly get inquiries from h...
-
Interview: Uli Wiegand of InterOrdnan...
Uli Wiegand is the President of InterOrdnance, and recently invited me to his facility to take a look at the first shipment from a huge batch of collectible firearms he spent 8 years working to import from central Africa. The cache includes all manner of models, including Enfields, Mausers, Carca...
