Let's talk double rifles, from a beginners perspective.

For the krieghoff doubles does the cocking/decocking feature function like so: fire both barrels, open and load, close and gun is cocked. Do not fire, open and close gun is not cocked?

I’m confused for some reason.

I have a kipplauf with a cocking/decocking “safety”. If you open it, fired or not and close it, it will require cocking.

This seems like it would not be a great feature on a double for dangerous game hunting. Kind of like double shotguns that have a safety that auto engages on opening, annoying for waterfowling no doubt

Still yearning for a euro over under double, and a combo gun to match.

I wouldn’t turn down a free side by side double but don’t think I could justify the price. Over unders are right in the “justifiable” zone. I had a baikal and while it was cool, the atrocious triggers and chambering couldn’t really scratch the itch.

Still kick myself for not buying, trying and flipping the Merkel sxs 470 with reloading package backcountry had for 6500 bucks a couple years ago.

Slightly obsessed with paradox and ball and shot guns. A colindian ball and shot gun would be really nice…
 
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Looks like I won't be picking up a new Heym anytime soon. I just read that there is a 3 year wait list for the new 89B model?

So I'll focus on lightly used Heym 88b vs new Merkel's and Kriegoffs. They should all be priced in the same ballpark.
 
I like the Heyms, and would choose one first. This said, I’ve used two Merkel 140s a good deal, and they are impeccable guns in use. I’d grab the first 140AE .375 you find and spend the rest hunting it. At the end of the day, guns are just things, the experiences they enable are what stay with you and add to life.
 
Ardent said:
I like the Heyms, and would choose one first. This said, I’ve used two Merkel 140s a good deal, and they are impeccable guns in use. I’d grab the first 140AE .375 you find and spend the rest hunting it. At the end of the day, guns are just things, the experiences they enable are what stay with you and add to life.
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I like the idea of 375 so I could share ammo with my CZ, however I'm intending for this purchase to be my "big gun." I'm looking to have it chambered in something a little more exotic like 470NE.
 
Northern Shooter said:
I like the idea of 375 so I could share ammo with my CZ, however I'm intending for this purchase to be my "big gun." I'm looking to have it chambered in something a little more exotic like 470NE.
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Yes, this is the way...

My Merkel 140ae in 470NE...

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I run a Merkel 140ae in 500 nitro and find it to be great firearm. Had some minor trigger issues from new but wolverine/merkel sorted it. I did open it up and remove the auto saftey.... no stopping gun should have one.
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P-J said:
I run a Merkel 140ae in 500 nitro and find it to be great firearm. Had some minor trigger issues from new but wolverine/merkel sorted it. I did open it up and remove the auto saftey.... no stopping gun should have one.
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Is Wolverine the distributor for Merkel? They seem to have some 140's in stock. That's the model I'm leaning towards, but ideally in a 470.
 
I believe they are the Canadian Merkel rep. I had to go through them for my warranty concern, which is better then dealing with Merkel direct. They wanted my whole firearm sent back to germany for something quite simple.
 
Evanguy said:
Well this thread is going to cost me a small fortune. I'm actively searching out the owner of the Rigby double hammer rifle that was at the Chilliwack show to buy.

And I just got off the phone with a friend and he's sending me that project Baikal 45-70 sxs. He CCH'ed it and got it restocked but the old owner shortened the barrels so that removed the wheel to regulate it. So I have to figured that out. Also I plan to replace the ribs with solid ribs not sheet metal ones
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I'd love to see photos of it if you care to ever post them
 
I had a weak moment the other day. I thought about selling my Merkel 140ae in 470NE...

Then I snapped out of it LOL!
 
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https://www.germanhuntingguns.com/bengt-bergs-fantastic-set-of-simson-guns/
 
conor_90 said:
For the krieghoff doubles does the cocking/decocking feature function like so: fire both barrels, open and load, close and gun is cocked. Do not fire, open and close gun is not cocked?

I’m confused for some reason.

I have a kipplauf with a cocking/decocking “safety”. If you open it, fired or not and close it, it will require cocking.

This seems like it would not be a great feature on a double for dangerous game hunting. Kind of like double shotguns that have a safety that auto engages on opening, annoying for waterfowling no doubt

Still yearning for a euro over under double, and a combo gun to match.

I wouldn’t turn down a free side by side double but don’t think I could justify the price. Over unders are right in the “justifiable” zone. I had a baikal and while it was cool, the atrocious triggers and chambering couldn’t really scratch the itch.

Still kick myself for not buying, trying and flipping the Merkel sxs 470 with reloading package backcountry had for 6500 bucks a couple years ago.

Slightly obsessed with paradox and ball and shot guns. A colindian ball and shot gun would be really nice…
Click to expand...



On my Merkel K1 kipplauf, and with most other brands, as far as I know, it is an automatic safety, has to be pushed off on closing the gun to make it hot. The Krieghoff decocker setup is hot when you close the gun, loaded or unloaded, safety has to be pushed to decock it, then if you want it hot later, just push it forward same as any other normal SxS safety, it'll spring back and be hot. The key feature is that the action is decocked for carry when it is on, not a normal lock system like others. Blaser doubles are auto safety like the kipplaufs, and many people who hunt dangerous game don't think that is a good feature. Heym, Merkel, Chapuis and VC, English DR's, are not auto safety, they are hot when closed, with a regular lockout type safety.
 
Thanks Jay! I’ll keep it in mind, but I haven’t even taken anything yet with my .458wsm.

And I checked and see that Ont had a 1000lb black bear harvested and here our record is a piddling 868lbs, so wishing you good luck this spring with your double.
 
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