500NITRO,I suppose the way a rifle feels is relative to the person hefting it. I have a Merkel 140.2, 470NE double, and it doesn't feel muzzle heavy at all. I will say it has had a KICK-EZE recoil pad installed, but nothing else has been modified. I also have a 140.1, 9.3X74R Merkel, and it also has a Pachmayr decelatator pad installed, with no other changes, and it points very too! I collect Westley Richards double rifles, and either of these two little Merkels handle as close to the same as my WRs that I shoot them instinctively with out problem.

I already had the little 9.3 double before handleing the Blaser, and after handleing the Krieghoff. The Merkel has a much more Britt feel, to me, than either of the other two, and follow the lines of the Britt doubles more closely. The Blaser simply feels like a crowbar to me, and I find it to be about the ugliest contraption I've ever seen, where double rifles are concerened. The Krieghoff, is far more pleasing to "my" eye, and handles better for me. I don't
like the WundHommr swell in the wrist area, but that can be removed, and be re-checkered.

NOW! we get to the cocking/safety system!

IMHO, This thing is the works of the devil! I do not like this system at all, and given the choice between the three posed here, the Merkel would get my vote every time. I see this system as a potentual death trap in tight sittuations. I have seen folks compareing this system to an exposed hammer double rifle, and I don't agree. I believe the hammer double rifle is far safer than either the Blaser, or the Krieghoff, and not just to others in the party, but to the shooter himself. A mis-cue with the Blaser, or Krieghoff could very well get you killed. That however could be said of a lot of rifles that people depend on to protect their lives.

I say what ever floats your boat is what you should use, but as for me, given the same choice, I'd buy either the 470NE, or 500NE Merkel! Life is to short to hunt with an ugly rifle!