Recommend a double 500 NE?

[LimbNoMo]

Merkel stopped making big bore double rifles ?

I talked to T&G Imports after posting their ad. He made no mention of Merkel no longer producing Safari caliber rifles, but did say they are going to have a 30% price increase.

 

[IvW]

I could be wrong but I believe that Chapuis never produced a .500 NE. And it is definitely not in their current line up. Merkel is out of modern double productions in large safari calibers. It's down to VC, Sabatti, Krieghoff, and Heym if you want a new .500 NE in a non-British double. You can find old Blaser S-3's or Merkel and others out there. I picked up a Merkel in .500 NE on Rock Island Auction but it's not new.

VC are out and Sabatti in 500NE is a real poor choice....
So make your pick Heym or Krieghoff....

 

[Tiger2001]

Merkel stopped making big bore double rifles ?

Yes Sir. About 10 years ago they kind of disappeared. Even here in Germany trying to find them is extremely difficult. I just attended the annual hunting expo in Salzburg, Austria last weekend. Merkel and Krieghoff both had their areas and displays. Krieghoff had a number of safari caliber DR's on display. Merkel had none. Just a couple of O/U 9.3x74's. Their reps kind of chuckled when I asked about the old 140's and 141's they used to make/sell.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Yes Sir. About 10 years ago they kind of disappeared. Even here in Germany trying to find them is extremely difficult. I just attended the annual hunting expo in Salzburg, Austria last weekend. Merkel and Krieghoff both had their areas and displays. Krieghoff had a number of safari caliber DR's on display. Merkel had none. Just a couple of O/U 9.3x74's. Their reps kind of chuckled when I asked about the old 140's and 141's they used to make/sell.

What a shame. They made an okay double rifle. Not the best, but pretty decent value for the money.