Hello Friends:

Has anybody experiences about the quality of the double express rifles of Merkel in african calibers (416 R, 470 NE or 500 NE). How is the resistance and the strenght of them? Are they reliable guns for working use in african conditions?

I have seen, handled and shot both the 470 and the 500 Merkels. Both seem to be well made rifles. Several members of the DRSS own these models and are happy with the rifle and it's performance.

Personal note.. . .The double 470 recoil is still less than a single 500 NE! OUCH!

I own a Merkle in .500 NE. Rusty actually shot mine at the DRSS hunt.

I have been very happy with mine and have ZERO regrets in buying it. I did, however, have a recoil pad installed by JJ at Champlins.

There is actually a discussion on http://www.nitroexpress.com about the Merkel DRs right now. Owners have reported that the metal weight installed in the stock came loose and "jiggled". It has not happened to mine.

I had the stock cut to fit and a Pachmyer Decellerator installed on my 470NE as soon as I bought it. On the first trip after about 5 rounds the weight sheared the screw holding it and recoiled back into the hollow pad. I just removed the weight and took a nice elephant. Have yet to reinstall the weight. I believe the weight is held by the solid plastic buttplate and not the screw and when I put the pad on (which is hollow) this support was gone and the entire load was on the screw which is actually at an angle to the recoil and it sheared. If I were to install it I would probably put a THIN steel spacer under the pad. I think the balance is better without it. Don't truly notice a differance in recoil.

I have a .500 NE and find it very accurate and well built except for the rediculous lack of a proper recoil pad. The LOP is perfect for me as is,therefore, to get the proper LOP you have to shorten the stock and fit a proper pad. I also removed the stock weight. You don't need a recoil reducing system ( other than a good recoil pad on a .500NE) Thats my only complaint.-Rob

Robgunbuilder:

Amen about the recoil pad. I have noticed a difference in recoil since having it installed. If the metal weight does come loose, I'll just send it back to JJ for fixing.

Perhaps Jesus Barrenetxea of Armas Garbi could help you? Look, you can shake hands, and meet craftsmen who are going to make a wonderful double for you. I would say that's worth extra money, no? I know there is some political friction, but.....
Those German doubles are built like a "toro" with GOTHIC looks to match!

my 470 has been accross the pond with me on several hunts. taken everything from impala to elephant with no problems. It's probably had close to 800 rounds run through it. I did take the weight out of the stock, just because it gets carried around a lot more than it gets shot.

Now there is the real truth about doubles. They get carried more than they are shot! Hunting ELE you may walk ten to fifteen miles a day. The .500NE will most likely be lighter than a .470 NE due to the barrel contours and thicknesses. I'm actuyally having Butch Searcy make me a new set of .500 NE barrels for my .470 NE. Butch thinks he will be able to take a ound or more of the gun weight. The .500NE doesn't recoil hard enough to demand the extra weight IMHO.-Rob