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Member Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 743

I think you'll find at least half a pound difference in weight between a 47E and a 1620, depending on wood. The 1622 is the 122 in 16ga, which is basically a 47E with sideplates--not a lightweight like the 1620. And the 2016 is an OU 16ga.

The pin through the wrist is on the newer guns. Older ones do not have it. There have been some minor design changes to Merkels (I think you'll also see some slight differences in the way the back of the action is scalloped), and that's one of the differences.

I was with a friend who was buying a 1620. The shop in question had two of them. He asked me which one I'd take. I thought one had nicer looking wood than the other and told him so. He mounted them both, said "But the other one fits me better." We put them upside down on a flat surface, and I'll be darned if the one with prettier wood didn't have more drop--by at least 1/4". You'd think that would be standard on new guns, but based on that experience, I'd check to make sure.

Joined: 15 Oct 2004 Posts: 787 Location: Indiana

Larry: You are right about there being some variation in the 1620's. The one I bought in 2003 at Scheel's in Iowa City came from the factory with a LOP of 13 7/8" even though that's not what the catalog stated. The Scheel's guys were afraid I wouldn't want it but I don't have long arms and the shorter length of pull fits me fine, especially during bird season when I wear heavier clothing. I cannot praise the 1620 highly enough; it is a fine gun for the money.

I don't believe Briley will be able to install those choke tubes, not even the thin wall variety. Not enough metal in those thin, lightweight barrels.

The 1620 is a nice gun, and quite strong. Mine came with killer wood and chokes around .010/.018, on the tight side for a guy who hunts over good pointing dogs and tends to shoot fast.

Best of luck,

Jim

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

Jim,
That was the problem when I sent my 47E to them. Although, they've done many 1620's with the thin wall version according to the guy I talked to from Briley. I'll have to wait and see if mine will be able to be done. Hope so. If not, I'll be selling one of the Merkels. Whole reason behind the new one was to get the tubes.

TJC,

Kindly let us know what Briley says about those tubes going into your 1620.

Jim