Are they worth it ?
Want one for Dove,Quail,Rabbits,etc.

What do y'all think ?

I like to think of sxs's kind of like women, meet a bunch of them and one will catch your eye and it is the only one you can think about. The one that caught your eye will always be in the back of your mind.

In the 1960's I fell in love with a Darne sxs and had to make a choice of a new trap gun or the Darne. I was shooting 300-400 clays a week so the trap gun won out. 2006 for a retirement gift to myself I finally got the Darne.

I like the looks of the Merkel, they are a good shotgun with a long history, enjoy it while you can.

Some of us have a little money, others of us are tight with the money.

The Merkel SxS I looked up is a 20 ga at $3000. Link Merkel SxS.

Now I really like SxS double shotguns. I have a Sauer drilling that I use since the 1960's! I have and shoot a Bernadelli 20ga double and an Ugartechea. Those were in the $300 to $700 range and are excellent.

Here is the Bernadelli to the left and the Ugartechea to the right. I have had the Bernadelli longer and used it more.



I am going to handle those now and I may add to this post.

Have handled a few Merkels and found them well balanced. Especially the small gauges.Quality has been proven over time.

They will take excessive amounts of shooting that most will never put thru them.

A good example of you get what you pay for and there isn't $700 SXS that will run the long race with them. Some of the low to middle entries in the SxS market have figured out nice wood sells. Merkel gives you the insides. The wood is up to you.

Recent Urgarteckia (sp?) are good shotguns, but they are not a Merkel.

The Sauer drilling is the king and the queen of my shotguns. To just have one and carry it in the fall up north from the camp where bears and birds are open for the entire fall is heaven.

Sure it's a little heavier at 6# 10oz and has a pistol grip.

Here in southern New England I can't carry it's rifle barrel on some lands. The Ugartechea at 5# 9oz, 24 1/2" barrels and 13 3/4" lop is handy. The V.Bernadelli at 5# 13oz 14 1/4" lop 27 1/2" barrels is a little bigger. However I made some good shots with it.

If other than new is an option, here's a selection of used Merkels, most a recent imports from Europe.

http://757arms.com/m-3-merkel.aspx?pagenum=2

My lightweight birdgun is a 5lb 15 oz 12ga Bernardelli, pretty sweet shotgun.

I've been looking at Merkel 1620's for a year now. The wife thinks otherwise.

If price is the issue you might look at a Simpson. Its my understanding they are built at the same facility and share the same design. Simpson is generally plainer but 1/3 the cost.

Bangeye, Simpsons is a surplus firearms importer, Simson is a German firearms manufacture from pre WW-II that was Jewish owned and confiscated by the Nazis and renamed BSW. The name was reinstated after the war.

Looking a various German shotguns it looks like Merkel, Simson and Sauer sourced many of there actions from the same place.

Image of JP Sauer action

http://757arms.com/images/product/medium/169_1_.jpg

Image of Simson action

http://757arms.com/images/product/medium/106_1_.jpg

Image of a Merkel action

http://757arms.com/images/Product/icon/30.jpg

Sorry I can post a photo but don't know how to pull an image from another site and move it.

Sauer


Simson


Merkel

Thank you.

Find a Simson in good condition. They're a Merkel at 1/2 the price.

I tend to like the Simson SXSs and drillings. Some that came and went, and some that found a home here.

Simson 16ga top & 12ga below


Simson 12/12/9,3X74R drilling



Simson 76e 16ga

Simson Mdl 90 12/12/7X65R drilling

I think they are definitely worth it particularly if you could find one that someone let go. I am a SxS aficionado (not an expert) too. You might also take a look at AyAs as their starter, the 4/53, is in the same price range and for me the ergo's are a little better in my hands. Their No.2 model is very nice.

But no flies on or near the Merkel.

Class guns Luv2.

I have a 447SL. I shot some sporting clays with it. And liked it. It is my son's inheritance now.

I have another double for grouse that I like, a Bland. Very slim, I only use lighter loads, as it is la light-weight, or seems to be. Havn't actually weighed it.

My boss gave me a Merkel 20ga for retirement. Can't remember the model right now (47E?).
I've sold all my other shotguns since then if that tells you anything.

He must have really been glad to be rid of you! :=)

He was.

Handle some first to see if they fit you but you will never go wrong with a quality Merkel. Just shop around and get a good price. Not so sure about Blackburn though.

I have 2 a 12ga 147 and a 20ga 47e....nice guns