Actually have seen Merkels listed in quite a few areas priced in the $9000 range ..and if you watch, you can get them for even less...

The web address shown above that has Heym's at $12,000 plus is a heck of a deal--and if you could get into one for $10,000 that is the way I personally would go..heck of a lot of gun for the $$--at least the ones I have looked at in the past couple years..

Chapuis or Merkel don't fit me very well therefore not much of a fan--but do agree, think Merkel's are a very well made gun for the money...

One final thing to confuse the issue even more...if it were me, I would get the 500 Nitro over the .470....470 is great and that is what I currently have --BUT, in the doubles I have shot,,no noticable difference in recoil for around 700 more ft/lbs in energy...there are pros and cons either way..but that would be my choice based on hunting there, shooting quite a few doubles in the past few years and talking with other hunters around the campfire --either way..be careful, once you get bit by that double bug, it is similar to the African Safari bug..hard to shake..and you keep wanting more...

Ripp