Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only Merkel Safari 375 H&H double gun - your thoughts?

Have an opportunity to purchase a used one from a private party - still 99%. Has one lion to its credit. For those who have more familiarity with such gems, what are your thoughts when compared to other double guns? I have no demonstrable need as of yet, but the feel, swing and heft are very appealing. Yes, expensive - over $8k - not so appealing.
Thanks in advance.

I have a Merkel 140A double in 500NE. Balance is perfect and I can throw it to my shoulder and the sights are in the right place instantly. Regulation is spot on for a variety of loads including 450grain and 570grain jacketed, 600 grain North Forks and 430grain cast. Oddly point of impact is the same for the 450 and 570 grain loads at 50m and 100m using the same rear sight setting of 25m. I use the 75m rear leaf for the 430gn cast loads for point of aim at 50m. The cast loads start crossing over between 50 and 100m.

Mine has ejectors, standard on the 500 but may be an option on the 375. Mine will "double" (ie fire both barrels) if the rear trigger is pulled first - seems to be a common problem on the bigger kickers (500NE and 470NE) but okay if the front trigger is pulled first.

Overall I'm very happy with this rifle and don't intend to ever sell it. They cost about $15k AUD down here but I got mine second hand several years ago for $9k AUD - it had only fired 8 rounds.

Bet it gets interesting when both barrels fire at the same time.

I’ve shot a Merkel 500 NE, never when it doubled.

DF

I can't imagine spending a plugged nickel for a double rifle that "doubled" - that's called a broken rifle in my book. But I guess it takes all kinds.

How to develop a flinch with class!

Doubt it was bought with that in mind.

I would think there would be a fix, although I've heard that can be an issue with the Merkel.

I'd be on the phone with Merkel. In the mean time, would be careful to only pull the front trigger first...

DF

I've shot a Merkel .470 NE with no problems.



If I had the money a Merkel .470 or .500 NE would be at the top of the list.

You better believe it. The idea of a known safety issue like that in a >$10K gun is pretty incredible.

You better believe it. The idea of a known safety issue like that in a >$10K gun is pretty incredible.

Either one would make a great wabbit gun...

DF

You bet!

Euro Optics is selling new Merkel double rifles for $7,999. I'd check with them before you buy a used one for more money.

Have they addressed the doubling issues? This isn’t the first time I’ve heard that.

DF

My grandson and his buddy were 12 and14 years old when David brought those rifles to the Campfire gathering at Armijo Springs. David let them shoot as long as they wanted--and they had a blast. My daughter said that when they got back home, they were showing everyone the purple bruises on their shoulders and bragging about how they could handle the big doubles.

I owned a Merkel double in 470 NE for 10 years before I sold it. Too old to volunteer for that kind of recoil now. It was very accurate and it never double fired on me. I would think one in 375 would be a nice gun.

I don't think so. They're advice (third hand) is to always fire the RH barrel first (front trigger) - this works. It shouldn't be too hard a fix though - I haven't bothered yet because I always fire the RH barrel first. Hasn't doubled on me yet, but I cottoned on to the problem early on when firing single shots - I discovered that the right ejector would also fire off after opening after firing the LH barrel only. The ejectors only fire when the sear has been tripped. My rifle also has cocking indicators on the side and you can see what sear has tripped before opening the action. The LH barrel sear has never tripped for a RH barrel shot.

That front trigger is sensitive - even my cast loads will cause it to trip if I fire the LH barrel first. One day I'll get it fixed.

I've also pulled it apart and there is a sear interceptor (spring loaded, recoil operated) but only on the rear trigger - maybe this stops it from tripping. I could pull it out temporarily and see what it does.

Given it's such a fine rifle to fire, and never does it with RH barrel first, I'm happy with it as it is. Maybe this is why the original owner got rid of it - happy to lose $6k on a new rifle. I'm sure it wouldn't cost this much to fix, but don't know why Merkel won't come to the party and fix as a design fault.

ElkhunterNM - that looks to be a mighty fine rifle!

Maybe one belongs in your collection of big bores?

Guy

It is a fine looking rifle and it handles very well in my hands.

My wife shot it and really wanted one till she saw the prices. I have always wanted a big bore double rifle,but I'm more comfortable with a bolt action.

My daughter and wife shot it with light loads.

Daughter.


Wife.


I even shot a light load.

Biebs,
Thanks for the lead about Euro Optics. To the issue on doubling - I'd be on the phone pronto no matter cartridge is stamped on the barrels.

Sweet talk Judy about the danger from those aggressive NM jackwabbits and how you need a really fast handling big gun for quick follow up shots.

I'm sure she'll understand...

DF