March
S M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Who's Online Now
6 members (susjwp, gasgunner, SKB, ChiefAmungum, Roundsworth, 1 invisible), 298 guests, and 2 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums10
Topics38,373
Posts543,980
Members14,389
Most Online1,131
Jan 21st, 2024
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 2 of 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,216
Likes: 120
gjw Offline
Sidelock
**
Offline
Sidelock
**

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,216
Likes: 120
Hi all, I've owned both. I had a SKB 200E and presently a Merkel 147E.

IMO, the Merkel is a much better gun. Handling is better, the SKB was blocky to me. The fit and finish are better with the Merkel. The SKB just had that cheap feel to it. The Merkel just has that quality feel to them.

Don't get me wrong, the SKB's are good guns, no doubt about it. The only issue I had with my 200 was a crack that developed behind the frame. Something they are known for.

Best,

Greg


Gregory J. Westberg
MSG, USA
Ret
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 22
tut Offline
Sidelock
**
Offline
Sidelock
**

Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 22
At one point I owned 5 Merkel's. Then I got bit by the small bore Fox disease and all the Merkel's got moved. Mine were a mix of 47E, 147E, 1620 and even a 28 gauge Merkel. They are hell for stoudt and the older ones IMO are better made then the newer ones. My buddy has a 28 gauge Merkel 147E and a 47E in 16 gauge. He has hunted with them for 20 years and they are still tight as a drum. They are indeed overbuilt. I have owned quite a few SKB sxs. Still have a model 100 20 gauge 28" with chokes opened to .004 and .014. It's my cold weather wearing heavy gloves sxs. I shoot it well and it goes bang evertime.


foxes rule
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 312
Likes: 73
Sidelock
**
Offline
Sidelock
**

Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 312
Likes: 73
I know that is out of the OP's question but I really prefer Beretta's in the basic class as the other two choices.
The older BL and the 680 series are well made and handle nicely.

Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 41
Sidelock
OP Offline
Sidelock

Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 41
Aren't the berretas heavier?
Seems to me when I was looking at 12 ga guns I couldn't find one under 7 lbs. Maybe the 20's are different??

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 216
Sidelock
*
Offline
Sidelock
*

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 216
For todays production guns, how do they rate as compared to their guns from the past?

Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,431
Likes: 34
Sidelock
**
Offline
Sidelock
**

Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,431
Likes: 34
My Berettas are heavy, but I like them. GR3 and 425 in 12ga, and 426E in 20ga. I’d put the 426E up against the 47E.

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 8
Sidelock
**
Offline
Sidelock
**

Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 8
I can't comment on the SKB as I've never shot or handled one. I have a 20 ga 147E with straight hand stock and splinter forend. With 27" barrels, it weighs 5 lb 14 oz. It's too tight to comfortably open and since it kicks the heck out of me with 7/8 oz loads, I haven't shot it enough to loosen it up. I'm gonna try some light loads and/or have it loosened up by a good gunsmith.

Merkels have a reputation for being stout guns and based on my experience I agree.

Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 35
Sidelock
**
Offline
Sidelock
**

Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 35
Quote:
If I were ever to buy an O/U, it would be a Merkel without question. One of the best looking O/Us I've ever seen.


I don't think I'd go that far. Not what I would call svelte by any means.


Dodging lions and wasting time.....
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 372
Sidelock
**
Offline
Sidelock
**

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 372
Originally Posted By: Ken Nelson
Quote:
If I were ever to buy an O/U, it would be a Merkel without question. One of the best looking O/Us I've ever seen.


I don't think I'd go that far. Not what I would call svelte by any means.


I disagree, but that's okay. I'm still not going to buy an o/u.


_________
BrentD, (Professor - just for Stan)

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]


Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 35
Sidelock
**
Offline
Sidelock
**

Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 35
Originally Posted By: BrentD
Originally Posted By: Ken Nelson
Quote:
If I were ever to buy an O/U, it would be a Merkel without question. One of the best looking O/Us I've ever seen.


I don't think I'd go that far. Not what I would call svelte by any means.


I disagree, but that's okay. I'm still not going to buy an o/u.


And neither am I....at least a Merkel OU that is....although I was slightly tempted by a long barrel 303e one time.


Dodging lions and wasting time.....
Page 2 of 6 1 2 3 4 5 6

Link Copied to Clipboard

doublegunshop.com home | Welcome | Sponsors & Advertisers | DoubleGun Rack | Doublegun Book Rack

Order or request info | Other Useful Information

Updated every minute of everyday!


Copyright (c) 1993 - 2024 doublegunshop.com. All rights reserved. doublegunshop.com - Bloomfield, NY 14469. USA These materials are provided by doublegunshop.com as a service to its customers and may be used for informational purposes only. doublegunshop.com assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in these materials. THESE MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANT-ABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. doublegunshop.com further does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these materials. doublegunshop.com shall not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including without limitation, lost revenues or lost profits, which may result from the use of these materials. doublegunshop.com may make changes to these materials, or to the products described therein, at any time without notice. doublegunshop.com makes no commitment to update the information contained herein. This is a public un-moderated forum participate at your own risk.

Note: The posting of Copyrighted material on this forum is prohibited without prior written consent of the Copyright holder. For specifics on Copyright Law and restrictions refer to: http://www.copyright.gov/laws/ - doublegunshop.com will not monitor nor will they be held liable for copyright violations presented on the BBS which is an open and un-moderated public forum.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5
(Release build 20201027)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.0.33-0+deb9u11+hw1 Page Time: 0.075s Queries: 35 (0.053s) Memory: 0.8490 MB (Peak: 1.8988 MB) Data Comp: Off Server Time: 2024-03-28 11:52:22 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS