PC I am in Mildura the Merkel my look heavier but i have a hunch they use the same or very close to the same action for there double rifles? I saw a nice merkel plain field gun a while ago it was in good nick had $600 or there abouts on it it was a blne with full and full chokes with modern cartridges you would damn near have a double riflethe gun was in Ballarat at a gunsmiths if you are in Melbourne you could wonder over and see if it is still there?
my beretta has a concealed greener cross bolt it sure locks up tight to me I think a sxs just looks stronger next to an u/o there just seems to be more contact area

At some stage I would like to buty a quality 12 gauge SXS most likely and I like the pictures I have seen of Merkels, how good are they in comparison to a Berettas simarly priced.

I am undecided yet on UO or SXS but I like SXS but the two brands I like are Beretta & Merkel.

I have only owned crappy UO's to date.

For some reeason I am attracted to SXS's

PC first be very carefull playing with sxs's they are a lot like 9.3 rifles (addictive that is) so be warned if you get one you may end up with 10 or so!!!!
merkel and beretta both make excellent guns you won't go wrong with either (have you thought about a merkel drilling? say 12/12 9.3x74r? )
I am currently shooting field and game with a 1956 beretta model 410 12g it is just such a nice gun to use
about the only thing i can suggest is try and handle a few you will know when you find the right one it will just feel right there is no other wat to desribe you will know if you find an earlier gun you might think about haveing the chokes opened up to make it more user friendly I did it to mine and haven't regretted it email me if you want to know more
Damien