I was very interested in the Searcy in .470NE when looking for my first double as well. I went with the Merkel for the simply fact that though I considered both rifles the waiting list on the Searcy would not fit my time restraints and the Merkel was two weeks out and in my hand.

I do not assume to be a expert on the double rifles and have only played with a Searcy at a convention display but some have said the Searcy will not point or feel as good as some other doubles, this from those who have handled and hunted with many different makes of double. It was, in my searching, the only complaint of the Searcy that was common other then the here or there hear say of one particular rifle did this or that.

If you are looking around for other rifles in the same price range I would consider the merkel as well. I found it to be "in the running" so to speak with the others you listed though my only comments so far would be it shoots well from the bench and off hand, prints well out of both barrels with the factory federal regulated load, loads fast and points well for me with a 3/4" pad and has nice balance. The draw backs being for some no ejectors, The factory front site is easily lost being black on black I had a low light insert installed, The engraving is simply adequate if you wanted a nicely engraved rifle I would say it was sub par.

James F. Nixon III .