I posted a quick rundown of this in the Wolverine Supplies forum, but figure it is more relevant here, so hopefully I can keep this updated with more experience soon. The long story short: I finally have my much awaited Merkel B4 combination in .223 / 12 gauge, with a left hand stock.
It is the Black edition, basic grade 4 wood, no engravings. A hunters gun, that I will take to the bush, and will certainly allow to gain some wear and character. Despite being basic, the ergonomics and aesthetics are on point. It is light and handy, even with a 60cm barrel. No sliding bolt makes a big length difference! Walking all day with it would not be an issue.
B4's are a single lock combination gun, with a thumb cocker. The gun is carried loaded and locked, but not cocked. Before the shot, you #### it by pushing forward a slider, located at your shooting hands thumb. This enables you to choose which trigger to pull, whether you want shot or bullet. The gun is decocked by simply pushing the same slider forward and releasing. After you have fired once, the gun needs to be cocked again to shoot the other barrel. This is in contrast to a double lock firearm, such as the B3, where cocking the gun means you can fire both barrels in quick succession.
The B4 has two triggers, the front shooting the bottom rifle barrel, the rear firing the top shotgun barrel. Both are absolutely superb. Crisp, light, with a very predictable break. I have not had a chance to shoot groups from the bench yet, but I'm quite confident it will be a joy based on the front rifle trigger.
Aiming is done using the stock iron sights, which are quite solid notch and post style. They are large and easy to pick up quickly. This is likely in part due to the stocks ergonomics as well. For the rifle barrel they are a very high quality open sight, and work well. The shotgun proved a bit more tricky to aim, until I got it through my head that I needed to look for more than just a bead. Probably not my choice for a day of clay shooting, but it certainly did the trick. I claimed a few flying rats with them as well.
The barrels are regulated from factory, with the shot patterning on point of aim at 35m, the rifle hitting on point of aim at 50m. The rifle barrel is adjustable, so when I've found the load I like, I will adjust the barrel to impacts at point of aim. The shotgun has a fixed 1/2 choke, or modified choke.
Overall, my first impressions of this gun are very positive. It feels buttery smooth when I open the action. Extraction and shell removal has been flawless. The fit and finish are above and beyond any other gun I own. Accuracy on steel has been just fine, I'll report back on paper groups when I've had a chance. I'm really looking forward to slug hunting for whitetail this fall, and will certainly be using it on the pasture for grouse, partridge, and small game.
There are a few negatives to consider, if you can call them that.
The two triggers: one rifle; one shotgun. For the time being I'm only loading one type of ammunition, until I have the trigger locations in my fingers muscle memory, per se. I really don't want to full send a 223 at a skeet, grouse, etc. Just one more thing to think about before pulling the (correct) trigger.
It is also a bit light for the 3" BB load that I decided to try. It had quite stout recoil, though I suppose it is likely on par with most break action shotguns.
That ends my initial thoughts, way to go making it to the end! If you have any combination gun experiences, advice, or corrections please share! And for making it to the end of this monologue, here's a photo of the B4
It is the Black edition, basic grade 4 wood, no engravings. A hunters gun, that I will take to the bush, and will certainly allow to gain some wear and character. Despite being basic, the ergonomics and aesthetics are on point. It is light and handy, even with a 60cm barrel. No sliding bolt makes a big length difference! Walking all day with it would not be an issue.
B4's are a single lock combination gun, with a thumb cocker. The gun is carried loaded and locked, but not cocked. Before the shot, you #### it by pushing forward a slider, located at your shooting hands thumb. This enables you to choose which trigger to pull, whether you want shot or bullet. The gun is decocked by simply pushing the same slider forward and releasing. After you have fired once, the gun needs to be cocked again to shoot the other barrel. This is in contrast to a double lock firearm, such as the B3, where cocking the gun means you can fire both barrels in quick succession.
The B4 has two triggers, the front shooting the bottom rifle barrel, the rear firing the top shotgun barrel. Both are absolutely superb. Crisp, light, with a very predictable break. I have not had a chance to shoot groups from the bench yet, but I'm quite confident it will be a joy based on the front rifle trigger.
Aiming is done using the stock iron sights, which are quite solid notch and post style. They are large and easy to pick up quickly. This is likely in part due to the stocks ergonomics as well. For the rifle barrel they are a very high quality open sight, and work well. The shotgun proved a bit more tricky to aim, until I got it through my head that I needed to look for more than just a bead. Probably not my choice for a day of clay shooting, but it certainly did the trick. I claimed a few flying rats with them as well.
The barrels are regulated from factory, with the shot patterning on point of aim at 35m, the rifle hitting on point of aim at 50m. The rifle barrel is adjustable, so when I've found the load I like, I will adjust the barrel to impacts at point of aim. The shotgun has a fixed 1/2 choke, or modified choke.
Overall, my first impressions of this gun are very positive. It feels buttery smooth when I open the action. Extraction and shell removal has been flawless. The fit and finish are above and beyond any other gun I own. Accuracy on steel has been just fine, I'll report back on paper groups when I've had a chance. I'm really looking forward to slug hunting for whitetail this fall, and will certainly be using it on the pasture for grouse, partridge, and small game.
There are a few negatives to consider, if you can call them that.
The two triggers: one rifle; one shotgun. For the time being I'm only loading one type of ammunition, until I have the trigger locations in my fingers muscle memory, per se. I really don't want to full send a 223 at a skeet, grouse, etc. Just one more thing to think about before pulling the (correct) trigger.
It is also a bit light for the 3" BB load that I decided to try. It had quite stout recoil, though I suppose it is likely on par with most break action shotguns.
That ends my initial thoughts, way to go making it to the end! If you have any combination gun experiences, advice, or corrections please share! And for making it to the end of this monologue, here's a photo of the B4
