Merkel 140AE vs 160AE

[Northern Shooter]

I have the opportunity to purchase one of these rifles and was wondering if anyone that has owned either could chime in on the differences.

From what I can tell the 140AE is the Boxlock design and the 160AE is the Sidelock.

Any other functional differences? Do they weigh the same? Regulated the same? Offered in the same grade levels of wood?

The 160 is the pricier of the two which I imagine comes down to the sidelock design. I've seen lots of discussion on here regarding the 140AE but never the 160AE, is it just far less common?

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Both are functionally identical. If you like boxlocks, go for the 140AE. If you like sidelocks, go for the 160AE.

The 160AE is less common because it’s the more expensive of the two.

You can’t go wrong with Merkel. Just be sure to have the sears examined by a competent gunsmith. My Botswana white hunter used to own a Model 140AE in .500 Nitro Express 3” as his dangerous game backup rifle of choice. It had a nasty tendency to double discharge if the front trigger was pulled first. After it happened once to me, I later went back home and started researching on the issue in-depth. I quickly learnt that this double discharge phenomenon is quite common on Merkel double rifles above .375 Holland & Holland Magnum caliber.

I had written to Merkel about the issue and they told me that their double rifles are always recommended to be fired by pulling the rear trigger first.

 

[Rare Breed]

I have the opportunity to purchase one of these rifles and was wondering if anyone that has owned either could chime in on the differences.

From what I can tell the 140AE is the Boxlock design and the 160AE is the Sidelock.

Any other functional differences? Do they weigh the same? Regulated the same? Offered in the same grade levels of wood?

The 160 is the pricier of the two which I imagine comes down to the sidelock design. I've seen lots of discussion on here regarding the 140AE but never the 160AE, is it just far less common?

160 about $10-$15k more

 

[Rare Breed]

i have owned the 140 and loved it

 

[Northern Shooter]

i have owned the 140 and loved it

Which caliber did you go with? Do you recall what it weighed?

And wow, I didn't realize there was that much of a price difference between the two.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Both are functionally identical. If you like boxlocks, go for the 140AE. If you like sidelocks, go for the 160AE.

The 160AE is less common because it’s the more expensive of the two.

You can’t go wrong with Merkel. Just be sure to have the sears examined by a competent gunsmith. My Botswana white hunter used to own a Model 140AE in .500 Nitro Express 3” as his dangerous game backup rifle of choice. It had a nasty tendency to double discharge if the front trigger was pulled first. After it happened once to me, I later went back home and started researching on the issue in-depth. I quickly learnt that this double discharge phenomenon is quite common on Merkel double rifles above .375 Holland & Holland Magnum caliber.

I had written to Merkel about the issue and they told me that their double rifles are always recommended to be fired by pulling the rear trigger first.

I have also heard of this issue. Do you know if it was a flaw from the factory or something that developed overtime with use? These rifles are both brand new.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I have also heard of this issue. Do you know if it was a flaw from the factory or something that developed overtime with use? These rifles are both brand new.

It was an issue that was always prevalent.

 

[uplander01]

There are better options, Heym, Chapuis, VC for example. I've owned multiple Merkels, as have buddies of mine. One in 500 NE actually developed a cracked receiver. One cracked a stock, and the other the weight in the buttstock started coming through the recoil pad. I'm not impressed with Merkel at all.