Which is the most desirable DR in 470 Merkel or Chapuis

It depends on who answers, both have a lot of followers. I cannot help you as I use only English. I've handled both, but that's all.

I HAVE a Merkel but would prefer the Chapuis except for the price. I had a Chapuis in 9.3x74R and wish I had never gotten rid of it. I find the Merkel to be the best BUY on market today but really like the looks,handling,fit & finish of the Chapuis. When I bought my Merkel it was almost exactly 75% the price of the Chapuis. Now I think they are even higher.

I have both ..... that would be a tough call. One answer - whichever fits you better, OR whichever is cheaper. Both represent really good value.

I may be wrong but I believe the Chapuis has ejectors and the Merkel does not. That could be an important point in your decision. Champlin firearms is very informed about double rifles and they are very high on the Chapuis.

About the best advice provided to me on AR, was about choosing a Double Rifle...it went something like "shoulder as many types/styles/makes of Double Rifles as possible and pick the one that fits you the best"...

Let me qualify that a bit by saying I was looking for a new DR not a vintage DR...I did not feel at all qualified to evaluate a vintage gun....

I shouldered as many as I could and shot a few ...for me it was the Merkel...

Chapuis is a far nicer gun.I think its biggest set back is the fact that its made in France.Other than wine and cheese I can not think of any products that I own from France.

In 1988 i bought a 323 Merkle in .470 and it was the best new car money i have spent to date It has saved my hide on several ocasions when you get stupid or you have an animal too close for comfort or time to stop him or her with anything else. That is exact reason why i bought it but, thats off the track. I can't tell you if another make would have held up with being wet for days on end, or dropped from a lorry several times, dropped by me several times and went for days with out attention of any kind. My late father in law used mine to finish his first big five when his Rigby's ejectors failed due to a case of the gremlens . I have never had a failre of the rifle for any reason and i will tell you i gave it many chances to let me sit there silly faced with a double that wouldnt fire and an animal that wanted to see who was better on that day. You see they take this very seriously. I have fired and looked at the new 140's and they seem fit for duty to me, but, its you life your putting on the line only you can decide. Hope this helps you out. Charlie

WOW Pussy (AKA Cats, Wynwood, etc.), spinning your tale tales again. So where exactly did your "uncle finish his first Big Five". I find it amazing that you have aquired all this experience within a few days. Do you still have the Merkel? I thought you were an archery man?

Do us all a favor and Get a Life.

quote:

Originally posted by bulldog563:
WOW Pussy (AKA Cats, Wynwood, etc.), spinning your tale tales again. So where exactly did your "uncle finish his first Big Five". I find it amazing that you have aquired all this experience within a few days. Do you still have the Merkel? I thought you were an archery man?

Do us all a favor and Get a Life.

Sadly there are too many of your kind on this planet. The Bully, a loud mouth lout, who hunts in packs like the jackals they are. Singled out in the clear light of day they shrink into the shadows like the cowards they truly are. Safe behund their computers they spread and perpetuate lies and false hoods knowing they never will meet face to face the people they ssmear. Your the kind who thinks the entire forum hangs on your next thread, and your the most important member here. You, the geasy cow killer and the rest of you pack can kiss my arse. Charlie