Just picked up a Merkel Double Rifle opinions wanted

[Russ16]

Whats the differences between the SRO and the RMO9? He just recommended the RMO9 and I have no idea since I’ve shot with a red dot before, so i went with that one.

The RMR is a little lower profile and theoretically more durable. But everyone I talked to said the SRO is plenty durable and I liked the slightly bigger window even though it really shouldn’t matter. Is Ali already had a SRO that I sent him.

The older RMR also required you to remove it form the gun to replace the batter I think the new one has eliminated that. I didn’t want to fool with that.

Dave Langerman said he used and SRO when I talked to him at SCI so that gave me some confidence, lots of PH use the RMR.

I don’t think the difference is as big as some people make it out to be.

 

[Certus]

I was already planning on taking the rifle to JJ Perodeau after my conversations last year with the fellows over at Champlin, who are also only an hour away from me(lucky me), to put on a red dot for me since I struggle to accurately shoot iron sights due to being right handed and my right eye being way worse than my left eye(shame).

I have already emailed with him and he said he can put a Trijicon RMO9 with a QD plate for me and while it’s there he’ll take a look at the crack and make a repair if necessary.

With everyone saying he’s the best of best here in the states I was expecting a huge lead time as even local normal shops near me take forever but he told me only 1 or 2 weeks at the most so that was a pleasant surprise!

May I ask where abouts? My wife’s from Enid so every trip I’ve ever made to the USA has been Oklahoma, of all places. Love the state!

Again, congrats on a wonderful rifle.

 

[Noah Hutchens]

May I ask where abouts? My wife’s from Enid so every trip I’ve ever made to the USA has been Oklahoma, of all places. Love the state!

Again, congrats on a wonderful rifle.

I live between Oklahoma City and Stillwater, where Oklahoma State University is, Go Pokes.

 

[Halligan1975]

What a win, congratulations! I was looking at a similar rifle last week for twice the price.

I do have a question for current, or former Merkel double owners. I have been eyeing a few myself and, at last according to the sellers they come in at just over/ under 10lbs. Even for 470s and 500s.

From my experience the weight should be more in that caliber range. Although stock fit plays a major role. Does anyone have any feedback they could provide?

And congratulations again!

Shako,

Granted this is a sample of one, but my Merkel .470 weighs in at 11.3 pounds. I haven't pulled the recoil pad to check whether a weight or mercury recoil reducer has been added, though.


The rifle is still new to me, and I was genuinely surprised by how mild the recoil felt. Recoil perception is subjective, of course, but the .470 is noticeably more pleasant to shoot than my CZ in .458 Win Mag.

 

[Noah Hutchens]

Well, update here, I dropped the rifle off at JJs place on Tuesday midday and he called he back yesterday midday ready for me to pick it up!!! So I drove back up today and have the rifle back in hand again!!! He installed the trijicon, addressed the hairline crack and adjusted the trigger pull on the rear trigger from 3.5 to 5 pounds all in practically less than 24 hours! I couldn’t believe how fast he was lol, a normal shop around me just to get a barrel threaded or another simple job usually takes weeks and he took a day! Was almost too fast as I had to scramble to get the money together to pay him lol. Couldn’t be happier. Going to the range this weekend to shoot it for the first time and see how she does!

 

[Moody808]

Hello! This is a follow up post to a thread I posted about a month ago on asking if a Merkel Double in 416 Rigby posted on Gunbroker was a scam or not….. especially thanks to @Wildwillalaska for vouching for the seller I can confirm that it was indeed not a scam and I just received my first larger bore double rifle! First thing I’m noted was how heavy it was! I’m not super used to heavy rifles and this one is definitely the heaviest I own! Might need to hit the gym!

It was purchased for $8500 from a very nice fellow in Alaska named Chuck, who shipped it EXTREMELY well down to me in Oklahoma. He made a custom wooden crate for the rifle and put extensive padding and protection. He was selling it for his friend who is now too old and too ill health to go back hunting. He told me the rifle has been to Africa a few times and took a Bull elephant and possibly a leopard but not a buffalo, so fingers crossed on my hunt next year I can knock that off its list.

Overall I am even more happy with the rifle in my possession, it has a few minor stock bumps/dings(was duly noted before I purchased it) but they aren’t as bad as I thought they were. This is the first firearm I own that has nice engraving so that tickles my fancy as well. I am going to have a Red Dot put on it as my eyes aren’t the best and I hate wearing glasses unless I’m staring at a computer screen. I haven’t shot the rifle yet but the fellow shot it a few days before he sent it to me with hornady ammo and said it was 2inches apart at 50 yards, just a little low, which he said was because his buddy changed the front sight to a fiber optic sight, I will most likely purchase a replacement original style front sight from NECG.

The serial number is A416032, does anyone have any information that could tell me when it was manufactured? Also, I paid $8500, would that be considered a reasonable price for the rifle? If I overpaid a little I’m not too worried as I really wanted a double with nice engraving but just for my records/insurance reasons what would the “going rate” be for the rifle? Thanks to all who read and helped on my original thread and who read this one! I will shoot it next week with Barnes TSX ammo and report back my findings!View attachment 774567View attachment 774568View attachment 774569View attachment 774570View attachment 774571View attachment 774572View attachment 774573View attachment 774574View attachment 774575View attachment 774576

Congrats on the double! If you want to know more about it just send an email to Merkel in Germany with the serial number and they will give you all the info. They did that for me before I purchased mine including sending me a copy of the original regulation targets.

 

[Noah Hutchens]

Congrats on the double! If you want to know more about it just send an email to Merkel in Germany with the serial number and they will give you all the info. They did that for me before I purchased mine including sending me a copy of the original regulation targets.

Thanks, I will definitely do that!

 

[Shako Badhan]

Shako,

Granted this is a sample of one, but my Merkel .470 weighs in at 11.3 pounds. I haven't pulled the recoil pad to check whether a weight or mercury recoil reducer has been added, though.


The rifle is still new to me, and I was genuinely surprised by how mild the recoil felt. Recoil perception is subjective, of course, but the .470 is noticeably more pleasant to shoot than my CZ in .458 Win Mag.

Thank you for the information! Yeah that seems a bit higher than I see them listed as weighing in at.

Gun fit is an important factor, but I could see a 10lb 470 being no fun regardless of fit.

 

[Halligan1975]

Thank you for the information! Yeah that seems a bit higher than I see them listed as weighing in at.

Gun fit is an important factor, but I could see a 10lb 470 being no fun regardless of fit.

You’re welcome! Curiosity got the better of me and my rifle DOES have a professionally installed weight or mercury reducer. I chose not to monkey with the install lest I ruin something.