Hold on, I never said or even suggested Butch is a 'scoundrel.' My conversations with him on the phone (I was considering buying a 577 listed for sale by a prior owner, but passed because I really didn't see the need for a 577 unless I was going to buy a vintage rifle) was cordial and he seemed very interested in his products, even when they were being sold used. We had a talk about waiting periods for new guns and he could not have been nicer. My remarks in the post about 'left handed compliments' etc were directed at a gun writer who is rather opinionated and not always right. They were not directed at Butch. Again, nothing I said was directed at him nor did it suggest a lack of integrety on the part of his company. If they seemed to be a personal attack on Butch or his company, then if I left that impression, I apologize to him for an unintended slight.

Yes, I do have several Merkels, and enjoy them a great deal, including a neat and petite sidelock in a 7.65R with great wood and nicely executed engraving. (Another ex-IWA gun.) I am not a fan of Kreighoff but they seem to be tough and have a good company behind them. Merkel makes some rather neat, nicely balanced and nicely put together 'specials' from time to time and they show up on our shores through the importer for a nice price. While the 'box stock' models may leave some cold, their specials are a different gun altogether and their sidelocks are probably the longest standing and most fully developed at anything near their price range including the rarely-seen Spanish DRs.

The principal reason I would hesitate to buy a Searcy is what you may have correctly called the 'growing pains.' DRs, even the cheapest (and the basic, scroll engraved Merkel is, I believe the cheapest) is still nearly $10,000 with most 'starter' guns such as the Searcy PH and Chapuis nearly $2,000 higher. I would not expect any problems, cosmetic or otherwise at this price level or even a far amount below it. There have been several posts about QC issues and while being put to the head of the line to correct them is nice, getting these issues caught before the rifle ships is, to me, the better way to do things. Perhaps having someone spend some time with each rifle before it ships and make sure it is cosmetically and mechanically as intended and shooting well would be the obvious solution. And, if Butch is aware of these issues, I would assume he is considering that or has done so already if newer rifles are not exhibiting these same 'issues.'

Final comment would be that since Butch seems to be a decent sort, and he has customers who support him such as yourself, then hopefully these growing pains will clear up and we will have a US made DR that can in fact compete or beat other brands now being imported. Until then, I will stand by my opinion and continue to respect, but disagree, with yours.

Dave