I own one and one of the new models at that. Mine is chambered in .470NE and 100 rounds latter is no worse for the wear. It shoots much better then I expected a double to with this being my first. It will print both barrels at 50yards touching and three groups L&R in one raged hole, this is better then I expected and perfect for my use.

The recent comments IMO are just that comments I have yet to meet a owner who did not love the rifle for what it was, a nice working double in a good caliber for a fair price, not to say there are not any disenfranchised owners simply none I have spoke with in person and I am sure some rifles have had issues as has almost any brand in limited numbers.

This rifle like all rifles IMO has some short comings the most important of which is the sights, a notch and blade and very inadequate for the use of a DG rifle (not that I am by any means a expert in the hunting of DG but to meet the requirements laid out by those who are). I simply had a set of nice express sites installed and my only complaint was resolved. The recoil pad to add LOP made the point just right for me. The engraving if you decide you must have it is worthless until you get into the custom scene some of which are quite nice but double the price of the rifle. The wood is simply nice on my rifle and those I have seen I would not call it exceptional by any means but simply adequate.

As I have said in the past, the dealer I frequent sells many Merkel doubles in a year and stocks a few rifles and over 100+ shotguns at any one time, I have asked and they say soon as the rifles start coming back they will drop the line, it simply has not happened as to date.

I am not one to beat the drum of a product because I own it and if I have issues with the rifle I will be the first to post them, I belive in using my equipment and if it doesn't work it will be resolved buy finding a new home. I am interested in a solid working product to use in the field, though I love a pretty peice just as much as the next man and hope to own a few one day my first double was purchased to hunt Buff plain and simple I feel I have a rifle I can use and not feel bad if it gets the wear and tear a hunting rifle tends to get in the field. That is why I went with a modern rifle of avrage expense and until it proves otherwise I like the merkel for what its worth.

James F. Nixon III