TE, I think you have been told the facts! I have not owned the Krieghoff, but I have shot several, and examined quite a few more, and I personally like the Merkel better! It is a more classical style rifle, and the ones I've owned, and still own are fine working rifles. I would suggest,however, that you buy without the engaveing, unless you can afford the custom engraveing offered on the very upscale rifles. The optional engraveing on the 142.2 is not real good, and costs over $1000 usd. That $1K will buy a lot of ammo for a 470NE, and the rifle looks better without it anyway. The Merkel is a bargain at $8000 USD, for a working rifle, IMO!