I got a call from a friend who has a customer that purchased a Merkle 470 from him in preperation for an upcoming safari. The guy really likes the rifle and shoots it well, but it has a square notch rear sight and I guess a partridge front that he does not like at all. He would like an English V rear and a bead front. This fellow is very picky and a bit eccentric about having custom work done and wants something in a replacement set, even though you could modify the existing rear, He is not interested. Anyone know if replacements are available? Thanks, Lee.

Lee,

I'll be paying attention to responses as I have similar opinions of my Merkel's sights. That said, do a search for "Merkel front sights" and I think you'll find plenty on this site.

I know I need to have my sights replaced by JJ but the rifle just shoots so perfectly to point of aim...I'm afraid to mess with 'em.

Matt

CHECK THE POST ON THIS FORUM REGARDING RED DOT SIGHTS .... JUST MIGHT BE THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD FOR DOUBLES FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED..... OR VISUALLY CANTANKEROUS

I like the boat anchor front sight on the big bore Merkels. You can reshape the rear notch into a V. Doesn't hurt to try that first and see if he likes that setup. Front beads are hard to see and the Merkel front post is in my opinion one of the best things to have on a DG DR.

Lee,
I had the same issue with my 30-06 Merkel with the partridge sight, yuck. Give HK Merkle a call and Herbert (in house gunsmith) can fix your buddy up. First call NECG and get a single standing rear sight and send it to HK Merkle and I know that Herbert had a few red fiber optic sites around 6.5mm, I know because he put one on my rifle last week. They did it for me for around 50-60 dollars (file rear site, blue rear site, change front site, site rifle in with your ammo) I believe with shipping it was 89.00 total. That does not include the NECG charge for rear site. Any questions PM me.

Dirk, thanks much for the info! This guy is semi unreasonable about custom work, the fact that Merkle will be doing it will cinch the deal and make him very happy! He has a nice Merkle 20 ga. SxS that got the toe slightly chipped along with the Bplate, He refuses to have a pad put on and is willing to pay Merkle the $1500 they charge to replace the stock... Go figure! He can afford what he wants!
On a side note, a while back you sold a friend of mine a LH M-70 action/stock, I barreled it with a Douglas #3 in .338 and bedded it into the stock and it came out quite nice. Good deal for all involved ! I am trying to convince him to buy the Searcy but not having much luck. Thanks again for the info! Lee.

Yep, that is Merkel at GSI in Trussville, Alabama. Herbert is great, a German transplant to Alabamy. I sent my Merkel to him for a butt pad, and cleaning and oiling of the locks. Very reasonable and very speedy, Herbert aims to please.

I like the flat-top-square-notch rear and patridge front sights on my Merkel 470. I painted the front patridge with white enamel, automotive touchup paint: brilliant. I painted the engraved line leading to the square notch rear with bright red.

This works better for me as a combat and target sight than any other open sight setup. I am not so finnicky.

If you LIKE the square notch/patridge setup on the big bore Merkels (I do on my 470)you should see the red fiber patridge front on my 141 8x57. It is really neat.

JJ installed these on a Merkel.

I can vouch for the sights on the gun that New Guy showed.....they work great....and didn't break the bank.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI