Guys:

Need some advice.

I'm considering replacing the factory front post and rear "U" sight on my Merkel .500 NE.

Who would you suggest I go to have this done, and what sight (front and read) should I have installed?

First thought is to send it to JJ.

Also, what else (if anything) is involved in replacing the sights on the gun?


Thoughts? Opinions?

I'll post this in the gunsmith section also to cover two bases.

JJ gets my vote!
And while he has it have him put a REAL SOFT recoil pad on it, just in case I should try to shoot it again!

Yes, use JJ.

The front sight is compatible with the recknagel sights... Just pick the style you want and JJ will match the height… if the same height isn’t available, he can make corrections when he machines/files in the rear sight… either way, no problem.

Pick the rear sight you want (single standing, plus 1, 2 or 3 leaves) and he'll machine the rib to accept whichever length of rear sight you choose.

From there, he'll assemble it, shoot it (if you've got your own recipe for reloads that regulate well in the gun, then I say send him those to shoot it with), make any adjustments, blue the rear sight and send it back.

The choices are yours:
-Decide which style and size of front sight you want.

-Decide how many leaves you want on your rear sight.

Clark:

I've used the sights in the photo, and didn't care for them. See if J. J. doesn't have a rear sight base off an old English rifle. Have him make a front bead. There's nothing wrong with folding leaves, but they should fold completely flat, never as you see there in the photo. The leaves should have a platinum center wire. Brass or gold doesn't show up well in low light. The enlongated bead you see there glares very badly in a strong sidelight. I would suggest a silver bead (not brass or gold), not larger than .080". It can be slightly convex, but should be a shallow face on the stem, not enlongated like that in the photo.
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

I like the sights on my 470 NE Merkel, many years back I used to shoot pistol matches, I use the same sight picture I used with my 45 & 22, I feel they are less sensitive to lighting conditions.

I suppose I'm a majority of one who likes the SQUARE front blade and rear notch on my Merkel. If I changed to anyhing it would be to a red fiber optic front. I suppose I'm to used to pistol sights.

Guys:

As always, I am humbled in your presence.

Thanks for the information. I will probably take action on this in a few weeks.

You can "fix" the front bead shown in New Guys photo with an emory board. All you need to do is file the bulb down so that you have a flat faced cylinder with the flat face slightly angled so that the top of the cylinder is closer to the muzzle than the bottom of the cylinder.

Don't worry about mucking it up since there is plenty of brass to work with, and if you really blow it you can order a new blade from NECG for about $35 if my memort serves me. The height of the blade will be stamped on the bottom of the insert.

Once you get a flat but angled cylinder you will be suprised at how much larger and more pronounced the bead looks filed flat and you may want to try a smaller bead size. I also found it much easier to shoot with the filed bead since whatever the lighting conditions, the whole of the flat cylinder is lighted the same. Not so with the bulb which can be lighted on a portion and shaded on another.

JPK

I changed the front post sight to a recknagle 2.5mm bead which works great with the supplied v back sight with one folding.
Three shots last weekend in to 20mm and two just off.
OZHUNTER.

JPK is right. If you do not flatten the face of the bead you will tend to shoot away from the light source. Tilting it up as he recommends also picks up some addition sky light. On the open sight, instead of a white or platinum line I like a white triangle with the apex right under the center of the shallow V. You can paint it on, I used a piece of white paper and covered it with transparent waterproof glue, not very elegant but it works.

White nail polish works well too.

Use white appliance repair paint. It is very durable and less likely to chip.

I've just taken delivery of a Merkel .500NE but haven't had a chance to shoot it, yet.

What didn't you like about the sights on your .500NE? I'm just looking to see if there is any information that I might need to be aware of for my .500NE.

A mate of mine, who is a gunsmith, also has a Merkel .500NE (we have the only two in Oz, at the moment) and has changed the sights over to the Recknagel sights. I'll ask him for his comments on this modification, but have to wait as he is presently in Germany visiting Merkel, of all places!

BwanaBob:

there are not serious issues with the sights. I can still shoot the gun well.

However, I am more comfortable/experienced to shooting guns without post sights, and want to try to keep continuity between my sight pictures.

Also, (I know I can change with with paint) the color of the front post (brass) can get lost among the foliage.

So, I guess it is just a personal preference.

I had JJ "fix" my sites. He utilized the existing rear site, but cut it to a V and put a silver tiangle on it. He then replaced the front site with a gold bead and a "flip-up" larger white site. I really like it...and my PH was here stateside for a visit and when I showed him what I was bringing...he couldn't wipe the smile off his face.....he LOVED the flip-up option. Total cost was around $150 if I recall correctly.

Gary B.

Sorry...forgot to add....I put a dab of flouresent orange paint on the front site....real easy to pick up even in low light.

Gary B.

Sorry again...retarded today...my gun is just like yours....Merkel, but 470 instead of 500.

Gary B.

GarBy:

Thanks for the information.

JJ will again handle my monster.

Also, I'll be down in your neck of the woods next week. I'm taking my father (babysitter), wife and son to Disney/Sea World for a few days.

Looking forward to the break!

577:

Sorry, I was away from the computer. JJ will do you right, he did an excellent job on mine. You'll be coming down to some fine weather....mostly 80's and sunny....so they say. I'm heading north with the family to our place in Georgia...looking forward to the break as well. Enjoy your trip. Let me know what you decide on with JJ. Take care.

Gary B.

Does anyone have contact information for JJ? I have the same issue with sights on my 470NE Merkel. Eyes just aren't what they used to be. Thanks.

JJ is at Champlins. Here is some info:

Website: www.jjperodeau.com

Call us at: (580) 237-7388
Monday. - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm CST

Fax us at: (580) 242-6922

Write us at: Champlin, Inc
or JJ Perodeau c/o Champlin
P.O. Box 3191
Enid, OK 73702

Shipping Address: Champlin, Inc
or JJ Perodeau c/o Champlin
Woodring Municipal Airport, 66th Street
Enid, OK 73701

E-mail us at: info@champlinarms.com

Thanks for the info.

My pleasure.