I really had no idea how interesting a Double Rifle be to play around with, until I recently shot one of the Chapius in 470. What a fun!

Now I have the double rifle bug and considering a purchase. Hopefully, you guys/gals can give your thoughts.

I have considered purchasing a Krieghoff, Merkel, or Chapius (new guns). The Merkel's can be had for about $2,000 less than the others. Is there that big a difference is the quality of these rifles? Should one stay away from the Merkel's.

Your insight is appreciated...Thanks jjs

I personally do not like the Merkel doubles. I won't go into why becasuse I don't want to start a major shit slinging session. I'll just say that I find them to be a bit cheesey.

I like the Chapuis it's nice rifle and I like the kreighoff except that you can't get ejectors on one. And I like ejectors.

If you want a really well made tough working double remember to have a look at the Searcy rifles. Pound for pound they may well be the toughest working double built.

Of the choices you've mentioned my preferance would be the Chapuis.

Surestrike cut the cheese.
A Merkel is a fine gun in the rimmed NE cartridges.
The only thing cheesey about them is the cartoonish engraving of African critters that you pay $1000 extra for (Model 140-2.1) over the basic coin scroll engraving on the basic Model 140-2, which is totally non-cheesey, and is ounce for once stronger than a Searcy's pound for pound.

If a Merkel fits you as well as it does me, it is a great buy. $1500 extra for factory fitting.

How about a non-cheesey $25,000 Merkel sidelock?

Nah, the standard boxlock 140-2 is good to go for me. I just gotta get gone across the pond again. And I won't sweat any baggage gorillas hurting my Merkel. It is as strong as they come. Good and ruggedest of functional sights too.

The only modern double rifle I would own is the Searcy, after looking them all over and shooting them, that is what I settled on and I assure you they are the most accurate double rifles ever made, it seems they all shoot little small groups, ask anyone who owns one....

Otherwise I would try to find a nice English gun in excellent condition, but I would shoot it and have it checked over before buying it.

I would suggest that you consider Searcy, Chapuis, Merkel and Heym. My personal preference is Searcy due to accuracy, rugged design, and ease of service if needed since the manufacturer is in the USA. I have shot Chapuis and they shot well but do not fit me all that fabulously. Merkels are made on a shotgun action which some people think is a bit light but I am not an expert on the topic. Heyms are light and handle well, but the downside is recoil will be more. And the price tag is a bit hefty. For the price of a Heym, you could buy a Merkel and a hunt. Or you could buy a Searcy and pay the entire daily rate for the hunt for Heym's price. But somebody's gotta support the German social welfare system....

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
Merkels are made on a shotgun action which some people think is a bit light but I am not an expert on the topic.

I have been assured by the folks at GSI, who import the Merkels, that the safari doubles are NOT built on shotgun actions but have actions specifically designed for double rifles.

jjs -

before you dismiss the chapuis based on pricing, I suggest you contact Dale Nygaard at Heirloom Armes.

I assure you that you'll find a substantial difference between his prices and those advertised by other dealers. I bought two from him last year - based on the price.

Heirloom Armes

I think in my racks I've got about 8 now & one of the ones that gets the most use is the merkel. behind that is a couple of berettas. There is nothing I can find wrong with the merkel whatsoever.

jjs
I know less than nothing about any of these rifles.But
IMO make your purchase on what you like after you educate
yourself on the choices,rather than price.

jjs
I am quite happy with my krieghoff. Many don't like the decocking mechanism but I prefer it to a normal safety. I just don't trust safeties. Some favor ejectors, some favor extractors, Krieghoff has extractors. Guns are personal things and you will find people who adore and people who hate any particular gun. Searcy, for instance, tends to be a particular favorite on this board but I know a PH who claims that he had nothing but trouble with his. The moral of the story is, pick the one that rings your bell, they all will work.

TerryR

Given if all were in the same price range, My choice would be a B.Searcy if I wanted to wait for it to be built to fit me. His Doubles are the most accurate "NEW" double rifles I have ever seen, and I've seen a bunch of doubles in my time! Haveing said that, I'm lucky enough for most off the shelf doubles to fit me well.

Of the OFF THE SHELF doubles, again if they all cost the same, my choice would be a Heym 88, chambered for all the flanged cartridges from 375H&H FL, up to 500NE! Unfortunently, they do not all cost the same, with the Hyem starting at around $16,500 US. The rest are all far less than the Heym, but some of those are not my first choice simply based on thier price tags. Of those listed below the Heym, my first choice would be the lowest in price, the MERKEL, chambered for 470NE, or 500NE. The chapuis would be next, and the Krieghoff wouldn't get any more attention than a Blazer, neither of which fit me at all, and I do not like the cocking system! I have a friend, who has a Krieghoff 500/416 NE and it shoots well, but it doesn't fit me, or him that well, he just got it cheap! The Merkel double rifle is not made on a shotgun action, the Merkel shotgun is made on a double rifle action! Anyone who tells you otherwise, either has something he wants to sell, or simply doesn't know all he claims to know!

It amazes me how many people will bad mouth a double rifle when they have "0" experience with it, or in fact, any double rifle other than to look at one in a gun shop. It is my opinion that a first time buyer of a double rifle should not buy a used Britt double, or in fact any used double more than a couple years old. If he doesn't have some knowledge where doubles are concerned, he can get burned with a $10,000 branding iron in short order! The Merkel is a fine working rifle, chambered in the flanged NE rounds, and is worth the price paid. if you can wait, you can spend a couple thousand more and get Buth Searcy to build you a PH model,to fit you, that will still be shooting when you grand childeren are ready to hand it over to their kids.

Thanks to all that responded.

The Merkel actually felt/handled the best to me. I was more concerned about the difference in quality for the price. From the differing posts it is plain to see we all have different taste or requirements, that was further borne out by the search I did here as well.

As you guys noted, having little to no experience with doubles I felt more comfortable purchasing something new at this stage. At the quoted price I do not feel I can make a big mistake with the purchase. The Dealer also told me if I wanted to trade in the future he would give me at least full credit for the purchase price...made me feel even more comfortable with the deal.

Well I thought for a minute about purchasing the 500 NE but felt it would be better to start with the 470 given availability of dies, brass, factory ammo, etc.

Thanks again, jjs

JJS
I went through this whole exercise 3 years ago. Liked a couple of old English doubles, but couldn't agree on price. Looked hard at Heym, Merkel, Krieghoff and Chapuis. Later on looked at the Searcy rifle.

Shot and bought a Chapuis. Have been very happy with it. Don't know anything at all bad about the Searcys, just thought they were a little more "clubby" looking. Damn fine gun, though.

Almost went with the 500, but settled on the 470. Have been extremely happy with this choice.

jjs
I recommend you handle all the rifles you have mentioned and get the one that fits you the best.
I have 2 British big bore doubles and a Chapuis in 9,3x74R. I have been very pleased with the Chapuis. It has been shot and hunted with a lot and is still as tight as the day I bought it.
I have shot 2 different Chapuis 470 doubles and both shot very well. Of the new made doubles it would be my first choice. I would have a set of 12 guage barrels fitted to it at time of purchase.
I have shot a Krieghoff 500/416 and it shot very good also.

If you would pass by Sweden...

-You should take a close look at the Swedish Rifle maker P O Stenmarks double rifles.

He builds doubles in all calibers.

The price for a plain "PH" model in .470 N. E. is about $ 10.000. The rifles are built on an Italian Double rifle action that P O buys in the white.

He also converts Merkel sbs shootguns to double rifles up to caliber 9,3x74R.

Link: http://www.hjoggbole.nu/foretag/kolvmakeri/kolvmak.html

Husky

Or if you like Suhl guns... you can get into a sidelock TJF for about 10 (less engraving.) Their boxlocks are quite affordable.





Or for the really big bucks in Suhl... look to Ziegenhahn for anything up to 700Nitro.

new_guy, those are fine looking rifles, especially that second unfinished rifle.

that's a TJF gun also.

They're relatively unknown over here - But are obviously well made guns and the prices aren't too bad either.

That top gun (375 Flanged) is in the US and for sale.

So, what's a TJF? Website? I agree that the second rifle is handsome. Is it unfinished or just stainless steel?
peter.

Here's their English language link;
http://www.tjf-jagdwaffen.de/english/index.htm
The biggest caliber they list is 9.3x74 R.