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.

 

[Rare Breed]

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.

500 NE at 11.5 pounds. loved the seers that prevented doubling. very strong action. great gun. just me only I would not go with the 160 given I could get a nice Heym in that higher price range that I personally rate as a step above Merkel

 

[Rare Breed]

It was an issue that was always prevalent.

The seers tend to break which was my situation when I sent to Jj Perodeau. He told me the seer is a great feature on Markel’s but he had seen so many broken he had to fix as he did with mine

 

[tygersman1]

I've shot a few Merkel 140s - they were fine. They may be rather basic, but they are a totally fine double rifle - well priced for the quality. The last very well-regarded PH I hunted with swore by his Merkel 140 500 Nitro express. I'm sure like every manufacturer, there are some that make it out the door with some issues. I also suspect there are way more Merkel 140s floating around and being used than most any other off the shelf double rifle. Of course, more doubles in use will often translate into more issues noticed by the public.

I would not put the 140 Merkel in the 160 Merkel class. The 160 is a quality sidelock. It may not be a British best, but It's a whole lot more gun than the 140 box lock. And the price point there isn't typically too bad either in the secondary market. If you're choosing between a basic Heym box lock and a Merkel 160 at the same price point, I'd think real hard about that 160.

 

[Rare Breed]

just look online…you will find the difference i. the 140 versus the 160 at my price difference. While I have no doubt the 260 is a quality rifle for that price I personally would move up to a Heym just me

 

[Rare Breed]

160

 

[tygersman1]

It’s apples to oranges. One is a quality boxlock and the other is a quality sidelock. Both will get the job done. But aside from brand loyalty (which I totally get), there’s no moving “up” from a 160 Merkel to a standard Heym boxlock.

 

[Rare Breed]

We respectfully choose to agree to disagree

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

I had a 140AE in 470 for a few years, great working rifle and some of the best open sights I have used. I bought the Merkel at a great price ad went with this option to get into a double rifle as I had never owned one before and wasn't prepared to spend 20-30k on one until I had used one for a while. I now have a brand new Verney in 470 on order.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Any owners of a 160AE?, worth the upgrade over the 140AE if the price is right?

 

[Northern Shooter]

Any validity to the 140 action being stronger than the 160? Boxlock vs Sidelock.

 

[ve7poi]

Own 2 a 470ne and 500ne neither doubles if front trigger pulled first if right handed
A left hand shooter pulling front trigger on on right hand set up,rifle will double as there trigger finger crosses over rear trigger and recoil will force finger into hitting rear trigger
If shooting a trigger system set up for an right hand shooter then the left handed shooter advised to use rear trigger first then front.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Update, went with the 160AE. I liked the additional engraving work on the rifle and it seems a little more unique than the 140's which are far more common.

Next up, buffalo hunt.