Scott Semle
New member
- Joined
- May 25, 2018
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 7
Hello,
I have been a fan of Merkel firearms for years. I currently own a 961L, a 96k and a 141. I bought the 141 ten years ago. It is chambered in 7x57r. I have hunted the Maine woods with it and taken many nice Whitetail and one bear. It has a single enertial trigger.
The rifle worked fine for years. It then began having problems with the left barrel sear not setting after the right barrel was fired. I returned it to Merkel USA and spoke with Herbert. He tuned the rifle and quickly returned it. It worked fine again. However, after a few years it began to double fire. I tried everything I could to eleviate the problem. I assumed I was doing something wrong. I sent it back to Herbert. He said he could not duplicate the issue but had increased the sear weight on the left barrel. It sat in my safe until the following fall when I took it out for deer season. I fired three times without trouble. On the fourth firing I felt an impact on my forehead. I few seconds later blood began to poor down my face. The rifle had double fired. My Swarovski scope had cut a nice half moon into my head. Quick trip the the ER and a bunch of stitches.
I contacted Merkel in Alabama and Germany. I removed the scope and made a video of myself firing the rifle in a standing position. It doubled every three or four firings. I also sent a picture of the stitches in my forehead. They were extremely apologetic and asked me to return the rifle and it would be sent to Germany for evaluation. All good. The rifle was sent to Merkel USA to prepare the proper paperwork.
It was determined the the rifle could not be repaired before it was sent to Germany. This was a problematic design. Ok, if they know there is, and has been a problem, I would expect a reasonable exchange for something that is safe. Unfortunately no. The management at Merkel USA offered me about one quarter of what I paid to buy the rifle. They also said my best financial option would be to sell the rifle because this engraved model was very valuable. Really???? Pawn an unsafe weapon off to some unsuspecting victim. Not only is it dangerous to the shooter but who knows where the second bullet ends up? The service rep was embarrassed to tell me what they did.
Am I being unrealistic in what I expect Merkel to do? As a former engineer, for Smith and Wesson, I cannot imagine a reputable manufacturer allowing an unsafe product to be left on the market? I would appreciate your feedback.
Scott
I have been a fan of Merkel firearms for years. I currently own a 961L, a 96k and a 141. I bought the 141 ten years ago. It is chambered in 7x57r. I have hunted the Maine woods with it and taken many nice Whitetail and one bear. It has a single enertial trigger.
The rifle worked fine for years. It then began having problems with the left barrel sear not setting after the right barrel was fired. I returned it to Merkel USA and spoke with Herbert. He tuned the rifle and quickly returned it. It worked fine again. However, after a few years it began to double fire. I tried everything I could to eleviate the problem. I assumed I was doing something wrong. I sent it back to Herbert. He said he could not duplicate the issue but had increased the sear weight on the left barrel. It sat in my safe until the following fall when I took it out for deer season. I fired three times without trouble. On the fourth firing I felt an impact on my forehead. I few seconds later blood began to poor down my face. The rifle had double fired. My Swarovski scope had cut a nice half moon into my head. Quick trip the the ER and a bunch of stitches.
I contacted Merkel in Alabama and Germany. I removed the scope and made a video of myself firing the rifle in a standing position. It doubled every three or four firings. I also sent a picture of the stitches in my forehead. They were extremely apologetic and asked me to return the rifle and it would be sent to Germany for evaluation. All good. The rifle was sent to Merkel USA to prepare the proper paperwork.
It was determined the the rifle could not be repaired before it was sent to Germany. This was a problematic design. Ok, if they know there is, and has been a problem, I would expect a reasonable exchange for something that is safe. Unfortunately no. The management at Merkel USA offered me about one quarter of what I paid to buy the rifle. They also said my best financial option would be to sell the rifle because this engraved model was very valuable. Really???? Pawn an unsafe weapon off to some unsuspecting victim. Not only is it dangerous to the shooter but who knows where the second bullet ends up? The service rep was embarrassed to tell me what they did.
Am I being unrealistic in what I expect Merkel to do? As a former engineer, for Smith and Wesson, I cannot imagine a reputable manufacturer allowing an unsafe product to be left on the market? I would appreciate your feedback.
Scott
