I have been watching Gun Broker and other sites for a good used K3 Extreme to come on the market but to no avail. New ones cost soooo much and for a gun that I may or may not like, I’m reluctant to spend that much. Are the Extremes that rare? Or do the guys that buy them new just never give them up? Also, I see some K3’s (not Extremes) on Gun Broker that come with a Swarovski 3-10 scope. I personally think that’s too much scope for such a small gun (proportion and scale) and when I finally get mine, I will probably go with a smaller piece of glass. Maybe a Zeiss 1-8 or a Leupold 1-6. Comments? Anybody know where I can pickup a used Extreme? Not picky about caliber.
Mackey.
Sir,
Do Google search on "Merkel K3 Extrem" or "Merkel K3 Extreme" and see what you come up with. Several vids, an old listing of the Extrem I bought from Euro-Optic with an out of stock notice, and a listing of a 308 sold by Gulf Breeze Firearms. Anywho, that was the case the last time i did a search.
I only know of three, possibly four K3 "Extrem's,
One was sold by Gulf Breeze Firearms, I got one from Euro-optic for +/- $2,700 without the QD ring mounts which alone will set you back $450. I forget but another fellow that posts here or at Accurate reloading recently came by one but the price had gone up $1k. Other than that I know of the existence of no other Extrem's.
IMHO, the chances of acquiring a used Extrem for a reasonable price would be rater slim. Unless I was suffering from an "Extreme" case of financial embarassment, it would be one of the last to go. I continue to scour three different sites a couple times a week.
FWIW, the MerkelK1's and K3's in the Jagd Stutzen tend to bring a premium when they do sell. The half stock versions are typically more affordable.
IMHO, if you can come up with a half-stock in a viable caliber with ring mounts, scope and maybe even a hard case for $2,900 or below you've got a good deal. The case retails for $399, the mounts are usually $375+, A Swarovski Z3 3-10 will set you back $500 plus, and you've not yet accounted for the rifle. Just a word of advice, the 300 Win mag's recoil is rather lively in this lightweight rifle.
As to Over-scoping, well as you say, that is a personal matter.
Original 1.5-6 Zeiss on the 9.3 x 74R
3-9 Swaro on the K1 Jagd Stutzen in 7mm-08
I tend to over-scope in my old age,
K3 Extrem, Swaro 3-12, 270 Win
especially when I have a S&B ffp laying around un-used.
As to you might not like it..........
When I first got interested in the Merkels years ago, I had never even seen one other than in pix. Finding specs on them was like searching for a needle in a haystack. I was worried about their diminutive size would make them seem like a toy. First time I got the web of my skin of my left hand between my index finger and thumb pinched when I closed the action, I realized they locked up like bank vaults. They are accurate, a joy to carry, have user adjustable trigger on the back left side of the trigger guard and are very easy on the eyes. Should you decide you do not like it, should you buy right you should be able to get out of said rifle with a relatively small downside. I find in general that entertainment, or education are not free, and even more pleasurable if you can profit from said.
I am now in search of a Merkel 141 ( double rifle on a 28 gauge frame) in 7 x 57, 8 x 57 or even 30-06. Problem is, when you can find one, no one wants to sell for the price I am willing to pay.
Se la vie!
ya!
GWB