Does anyone have a Merkel 141 Light Frame double?

[Kevin Peacocke]

At the range yesterday a young trainee PH pitched up with a light little Merkel in 9.3x74R that handled and shot like a dream. I wouldn't mind getting one of these. Does anyone here have one that they can share a bit of information upon please?

 

[Tiger2001]

At the range yesterday a young trainee PH pitched up with a light little Merkel in 9.3x74R that handled and shot like a dream. I wouldn't mind getting one of these. Does anyone here have one that they can share a bit of information upon please?

I used to own one when I lived in the states, hunted scrub bull in Australia with a different one, and even here in Germany they are very difficult to find for sale. If you find one in good condition and at a good price, I would snap it up! They are great rifles.

 

[Excessexpress]

They are made on a 28Ga action and until recently had adjustable regulation. I believe they are now soldered.

There is also a sidelock version, the 161…

 

[Altitude sickness]

My Johann Fanzoj in 9.3 x74R was on a small frame also.

 

[BeeMaa]

My Johann Fanzoj in 9.3 x74R was on a small frame also.

Pictures please!

 

[Altitude sickness]

This is not mine but an example. Fanzoj are VERY expensive new. But do not hold their value so can be bought at a very good price used.

Fanzoj Round-Action double rifle - Johann Fanzoj

Fanzoj Round-Action double rifle - Austrian mechanical Excellence meets timeless Elegance. Johann Fanzoj´s elegant triggerplate round action rifle. - Johann Fanzoj

fanzoj.com

 

[Altitude sickness]

This may show the frame size of my previously owned Fanzoj

 

[SFRanger7GP]

I have one in 9.3x74R. It was my first double rifle and the only one I still have. I have taken quite a bit of game with it in the US as well as Africa.

Very handy and comfortable to carry and it hits with authority, on both sides. I tamed it considerably by adding a nice recoil pad. Very necessary addition in my opinion. Mine has the screws on the end for regulation which I have done. Not difficult if the instructions are followed to the letter and the barrels are allowed to completely cool between shot pairs.

Safe hunting

 

[franzfmdavis]

I have one in 9.3x74R. It was my first double rifle and the only one I still have. I have taken quite a bit of game with it in the US as well as Africa.


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Very handy and comfortable to carry and it hits with authority, on both sides. I tamed it considerably by adding a nice recoil pad. Very necessary addition in my opinion. Mine has the screws on the end for regulation which I have done. Not difficult if the instructions are followed to the letter and the barrels are allowed to completely cool between shot pairs.

Safe hunting

Great pictures! The one of the rifle against the Kudu has especially good balance and composition!

 

[Whit]

@Kevin Peacocke suggest strongly you examine the used rifle market in Germany & Belgium. So many 9.3x74R light frame DR’s, and very occasionally a Merkel 141 in that caliber.

 

[Matabele]

I don't have any first hand experience of a Merkel but I'm on the look for a 9.3 double myself. For the money I'm leaning towards a Krieghoff. However these videos may be of interest:

 

[Altitude sickness]

If anyone has need of a factory Merkel 140 AE box with owners manual. Pay the shipping and it’s yours.

 

[GerardV]

I have one in 9.3x74R. It was my first double rifle and the only one I still have. I have taken quite a bit of game with it in the US as well as Africa.


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Very handy and comfortable to carry and it hits with authority, on both sides. I tamed it considerably by adding a nice recoil pad. Very necessary addition in my opinion. Mine has the screws on the end for regulation which I have done. Not difficult if the instructions are followed to the letter and the barrels are allowed to completely cool between shot pairs.

Safe hunting

Have you had any issues with the regulation screws coming loose?

I was looking into getting a 141 a few years ago but was put off by reports of some rifles losing their regulation after a number of shots as the screws were loosening.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

Have you had any issues with the regulation screws coming loose?

I was looking into getting a 141 a few years ago but was put off by reports of some rifles losing their regulation after a number of shots as the screws were loosening.

I have heard of that issue. Oddly, never from someone that actually owned one but I am sure 50+ people will chime in and tell me I am wrong. JJ told me if it ever happened (I asked him about it) just put a drop of low strength loctite or clear fingernail polish on top of the screws.

The 141 in 9,3x74R has a learning curve to shoot well because it is so light. I had to get a good recoil pad for mine and put in a lot of patient, range time. I suspect that might be part of the issue for "losing regulation" as well as barrels heating quickly. At first, I was ready to send mine down the road I was so frustrated with it. Then someone with more double rifle experience and patience reached out and helped me.

I have had no issues with mine after getting to know it better and I have killed quite a bit of game in the US and Africa at distances out to just over 200 yards. (but most has been at 50 yards or less) It was my first double and the only one I have kept. However, were I to get another small bore double it would be a Chapuis because of Merkel's historical lack of interest in customer service. Also, JJ services Chapuis.

Safe shooting

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I have heard of that issue. Oddly, never from someone that actually owned one but I am sure 50+ people will chime in and tell me I am wrong. JJ told me if it ever happened (I asked him about it) just put a drop of low strength loctite or clear fingernail polish on top of the screws.

The 141 in 9,3x74R has a learning curve to shoot well because it is so light. I had to get a good recoil pad for mine and put in a lot of patient, range time. I suspect that might be part of the issue for "losing regulation" as well as barrels heating quickly. At first, I was ready to send mine down the road I was so frustrated with it. Then someone with more double rifle experience and patience reached out and helped me.

I have had no issues with mine after getting to know it better and I have killed quite a bit of game in the US and Africa at distances out to just over 200 yards. (but most has been at 50 yards or less) It was my first double and the only one I have kept. However, were I to get another small bore double it would be a Chapuis because of Merkel's historical lack of interest in customer service. Also, JJ services Chapuis.

Safe shooting

You certainly know how to shoot it SF, with an impressive array of animals on that safari. Did you ever contemplate a buffalo?

 

[Matabele]

I have heard of that issue. Oddly, never from someone that actually owned one but I am sure 50+ people will chime in and tell me I am wrong. JJ told me if it ever happened (I asked him about it) just put a drop of low strength loctite or clear fingernail polish on top of the screws.

The 141 in 9,3x74R has a learning curve to shoot well because it is so light. I had to get a good recoil pad for mine and put in a lot of patient, range time. I suspect that might be part of the issue for "losing regulation" as well as barrels heating quickly. At first, I was ready to send mine down the road I was so frustrated with it. Then someone with more double rifle experience and patience reached out and helped me.

I have had no issues with mine after getting to know it better and I have killed quite a bit of game in the US and Africa at distances out to just over 200 yards. (but most has been at 50 yards or less) It was my first double and the only one I have kept. However, were I to get another small bore double it would be a Chapuis because of Merkel's historical lack of interest in customer service. Also, JJ services Chapuis.

Safe shooting

I may have missed it, but when you say light how much does your rifle weigh out of interest?

On another note do the 141's come with interceptor scears?

 

[SFRanger7GP]

@Kevin Peacocke: Thank you for the kind words. Never really thought about using it for buffalo.

@Matabele: about 6 LBS without the scope; Merkel claims "intercepting sears in a modified Anson & Deeley system". I thought it wasn't needed for box locks but what do I know. It has never doubled, I have never accidentally strummed the back trigger and I fire front then rear triggers.

Safe shooting

 

[Matabele]

@Kevin Peacocke: Thank you for the kind words. Never really thought about using it for buffalo.

@Matabele: about 6 LBS without the scope; Merkel claims "intercepting sears in a modified Anson & Deeley system". I thought it wasn't needed for box locks but what do I know. It has never doubled, I have never accidentally strummed the back trigger and I fire front then rear triggers.

Safe shooting

Thanks for the reply SF...6lbs is light, that would clear out my sinuses before I got used to it I think! It looks like you're putting it to great use though, thanks for sharing.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

Thanks for the reply SF...6lbs is light, that would clear out my sinuses before I got used to it I think! It looks like you're putting it to great use though, thanks for sharing.

It will definitely wake you up. The big, decelerator recoil pad toned it down quite a bit. But it is a pleasure to carry.

Safe hunting

 

[ACM]

I have been searching for this exact rifle. Unfortunately everything I have found used for sale has either had a large amount of wear, or has a ton of drop in the stock. @SFRanger7GP yours looks perfect!