http://www.lasc.us/RangingShotBarrelMakingFeature.htm

Info on barrels...hammer forged is one of the most economical means of making barrels which is one of the main reasons it is used..ie remington...

I have no bones to pic with Merkel or Krieghoff..actually own a couple of Merkel shotguns...the Merkel rifle double didn't fit me well and got rid of it for a Westley...as others have suggested, if it fits you and you like it enjoy it...no problem with that.

Ripp