Clark7781,Welcome to Nitro Express hunting and shooting forums, you'll enjoy this place.

You don't need to appologize to anyone for owning a Merkel 500 NE 3". The only people you hear downing the Merkel rifles are, most times, people who have never owned one, or people who have something to sell, that can't compete with Merkel's priceing, and offer the same quality at the same time! There is no doubt,there are better double rifles than the Merkel product,and some that cost more but are not better. I own now,and have owned several Merkel products over the years, and I have never had one problem with any of them! They are value for the dollars spent! Would I rather have a best grade Westley Richards? yes, and I do, but the Merkel is a working rifle, at a working rifle price!

Many people really dislike Mark Sullivan! That being said, some of those folks dislike him, because they can't afford to hunt with him. Some because he is successful, and takeing clients others want, and there are those who dislike his lack of respect for the suffering of the animals, he hunts, to goad the animal into a charge for the camera! Others dislike his chest beating "LOOK AT ME" attitude, and his constant shooting of clients animals. I'm in the latter group, and wouldn't hunt with him, eventhough I couldn't afford to anyway, and I'm sure he wouldn't want to hunt with me either! IMO,there is simply a personality clash between us, that is insurmountable.

MS is a very knowledgable PH, and consistantly gets his clients onto very good trophies, and runs a very well organized camps. Like anyone who is famous, he will have those who love everything he does, and those who hate everything he does, regardless of the reasons for their opinions, very few sit on top of the fence where MS is concerened!