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Member Joined: 09 Oct 2005 Posts: 76 Location: Denver

My Merkel 1620 showed up last week. It only took a week to get to Boulder and of course I ran up there from Denver to pick it up that afternoon. For what they are worth, here are my first impressions of the first sxs Ive owned:

The gun has surprisingly nice wood, much nicer than I expected. It is also very tight, especially the top lever. It takes some effort to get the lever to the left when closing. I understand this is normal. The gun, with 28-inch barrels, weighed in at 6.2 lbs.

I thought Id have trouble with the light weight and what is to me a new barrel configuration, but I actually shot it quite well. We werent keeping score, but probably whacked about 80% of the targets I shot on the easier front ten stations at the local sporting clays course.

The gun mounts effortlessly and seems to get to where it needs to go almost by itself. I tend to come in a bit in front of the targets and pull away a bit no matter what Im shooting, so there was none of the stopping the Ive heard can be a problem with a lighter gun. The again I wasnt shooting 50 to 60 yard targets.

With 7/8 oz of #8 (thank you low pressure reloading group) recoil was not an issue. It absolutely smashed the targets. In fact, it smashed them so well we went to the splatter board after shooting to see how it was patterning. No counting of pellets or anything scientific, just a pheasant sized outline shot at 16, 20 and about 30 yards. The guns is choked IC/Mod. Its going to Briley this week to get opened up to Skeet/LM. I like to eat my birds.

I REALLY like this gun.

That's all we need-MORE Merkel maniacs Laughing

Member Joined: 09 Oct 2005 Posts: 76 Location: Denver

Revdoc:

Now, now.......... I'm sure I'd like your Sterlingworth too.

Paul

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1545 Location: Michigan

Paul, did your Merkel come with the the yellow or the red lazer sight?
I hear this is a stock item on new guns now. Wink

Guest

I don't know Paul.

I'm inclined to withold judgement until I see photos of the Reverands re-worked Sterlingworth stock with the "Princess of Wales" grip.

Geez, rough crowd. Well at least you can't refer to my Poli as a "pansy-Poli"; it's got a "straight grip" Laughing

rough crowd indeed-and I had to pay extra for the special glow-in-the-dark pink stock Rolling Eyes

OK-now back to the 1620 with the lazer sight Smile

(and where are TJC and thudddd when we're abusing the Merks?)

Member Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 1522 Location: NH

Paul,
Great choice in guns and disregard all the jealousy, I mean rude comments about your new laser guided, pheasant seeking, bird destroying machine. Very Happy

Still waiting on my new one. Another 3-4 months from what I am told. Mine is going right to Briley for thin wall choke tubes before I even get it. Smile

Me

Member Joined: 09 Oct 2005 Posts: 76 Location: Denver

Dave M:

Lazer sights? Never even saw the bead! Just felt warm and fuzzy all over.

Paul

Guest

Geeze I hope you were wearing dark trousers!

Member Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 743

Paul, I think you're wise to get the chokes opened. The chokes tend to be on the tight side. In fact, the entire GUN tends to be on the tight side, and will take several hundred rounds for it to really break in--which gives you the excuse you need to shoot it a lot.

Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 787 Location: Indiana

Paul, I sure like my 1620; it has IC/Mod chokes and they are a bit tight for skeet but just right for pheasants. My gun was tight when I bought it late in 2003; and it still is today ! The 7/8 oz. loads referred to by others arew a good way to tame the recoil in a light gun if you shoot lots of claybirds. Enjoy your new gun; they are beauties !

Member Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 1522 Location: NH

Imagine that nice new Merk with Briley choke tubes in it. You could use that gun for anything you want then. Just a change of the tubes. Wink

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1545 Location: Michigan

Won't that nice new Merkel look like one of those Huglu guns, with the screw in chokes? Briley won't bulge your barrels will they? Wink