Ben, I imagine if your Merkel 500NE is like mine, it's a pure splinter!

I've shot mine 1,000 times easily at this point. Several of those 1000 shots killed a few Elephant and Buffalo as well. I wonder if the good Sports Medicine Doctor is a Double Rifle shooter? As a matter of fact, I have in fact heard several DR owners say they wish their rifles had a splinter fore-end. What I haven't heard is "I wish this had a beavertail"!!

I also have a Chapuis with the beavertail. IMO, there is no comparison in comfort between the two. The splinter looks and feels better in the hand.

As far as what the new companies are building, they will build what you want! I have a VC 500NE Round Body being built right now with a splinter. Should arrive sometime this fall.