I am thinking about selling my 470 Merkel. The grip is just two narrow for me to hold with my hand problems. My 505 Gibbs and Jack"s Rigby were a lot easier to hang on to. My Gibbs did not move in my hand at all neither did the Rigby double.

I may just step down to a 450-400 with a 20 GA barrel set. I would have to sell my 9.3 and a very sweet AYA 16 to do it. I been told you can't stock them to work well as a shotgun and a rifle. What are your thoughts, Does any body shoot such a set up. Is it better to have 20 K invested in one fine two barrel combo, or in 3 or 4 different firearms.

JD

JD, I have a buddy with just that set up in a Heym. Unfortunately he could't make it last weekend or you would have seen it. He got it from Chris Sells, new guy. If you PM me, i'll see if can put ya'll in touch. Or give Chris a call. Bob

JD, from a resale point, it would be better to have several firearms that a rifle-shotgun set-up. Someone shopping for a DR may pay a bit more if it came with a set of shotgun barrels, but not nearly enough to cover their extra cost. Also, shotgun and DR fit are both critical....if you use the same gun for both, compromises are inevitable. Buy a shotgun that feels right, then either a DR that fits, or there's no fleas on a top-end magazine rifle either.

Biebs makes an excellent point. I have a Tikka 512SD with 9.3x74R O/U, 12 ga/ 7x57 O/U and 12 ga/12 ga O/U barrels. The 12 O/U barrel set is probably the last shotgun I would take hunting, but, probably because I have a choice!
Peter.

Biebs I think you are right on the money.

Peter I have a 512 in 9.3 with an extra the 12 GA barrel set up. Great little gun.I have shot ducks, clays, hogs, and a cow elk with it. Its my take it on vacation just in case something comes up I am covered to hunt just about anything gun.

I found a nice Chapuis in 470, I have been told It has a palm swell and a much fuller grip than the Merkel. Its a step up in that it has claw mounts ,cc lock,and interesting wood. I should get it this week. If it works better in my hands the Merkel will have to go. The Merkel shoots so well I hate to let it go.

JJ told me he can make me a 12 GA barrel set for less than the cost of a new shotgun,I can add them later if I want.

JD

If I had this kind of cash available (that's the big "if"), and if I wanted a shotgun/DR set, and if I wanted one that has a solid, substantial grip, here's what I'd do - http://www.searcyent.com/for_sale.htm

I might even make a trip out there and look at it in person.

JD valid point, but I find it (the 12 ga.barrels) rather heavy, so, certainly it is a one gun combo, but if I could take two guns I would! Reminds me, I need to take it skeet shooting!
Peter.

quote:

Originally posted by Shack:
If I had this kind of cash available (that's the big "if"), and if I wanted a shotgun/DR set, and if I wanted one that has a solid, substantial grip, here's what I'd do - http://www.searcyent.com/for_sale.htm

I might even make a trip out there and look at it in person.

Great looking set but 3x out of my league

JD

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:
JD valid point, but I find it (the 12 ga.barrels) rather heavy, so, certainly it is a one gun combo, but if I could take two guns I would! Reminds me, I need to take it skeet shooting!
Peter.

Shotguns should have a little weight, it evens out the swing and keeps it moving. I got a nice little 16 GA aya that might go 6.5lbs maybe. It took a year to learn how to shoot it.

Carrying a 7 1/2 lb shotgun on a quail hunt will help keep you in shape for carrying that 12lb double rifle.

JD

JD