There are 2 big differences between the Merkel and the V-C gun. The V-C has a much stronger lock up and is a custom made to order gun. Merkels are all made to the same specifications, all of the custom shop V-C are made to order. The customer can spec the weight, features, barrel length, shape of action, shape of the forearm wood, etc. Here are some pics of a gun I recently delivered.

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This is not to say the Merkel is a bad gun, not at all. But it is also not in the same class as the V-C. The Merkel is a very good quality production grade gun and the V-C is a bespoke custom gun. I currently have 4 used Merkels that have been taken in trade towards a V-C gun.
V-C also has roots in the gun trade going back to 1650, kinda makes Merkel look like the new kid on the block.
Yes, I will be at the Vintigers, as well as, Dallas, Houston, and SCI. The V-C guns dominated the top places in the Vintigers stopping rifle shoot the last few years. Josh Weiner has a gun in 450-400 that he has run 4,000 rounds through in the last 2 years. He bought a 500 last year and just placed a order for a 450 NE last month. He will be there again this year.
Please stop by and say hello, will be happy to show you the V-C gun in person.