Guys,

Help me out here. i am looking for a 12 g side by side to shoot at ducks, pheasants, geese and grouse. it should have 3" chambers, be steel shot compatible, have 28 - 30 inch barrels and have a straight stock.

I found both a Merkel 47E and a Beretta 470 online. Both are about 10 years old, with prices around 2k. I can't see the guns before i buy, and would love feedback from owners/shooters of these guns.

thanks

odoerov

 

I was in the same predicament and went with the Merkel 47. I cannot speak to shooting the Beretta, but I did have a chance to handle the 470. My Merkel shoulders quick and points like a dream. I found the fit and finish of the Merkel to be of higher quality than the Beretta. I own several Berettas and like the guns. However, the oiled walnut of the Merkel really stood out next to the "high volume factory matte finish" of the Beretta. The action of the Merkel locks up like a vault. Although very stiff at first, mine now opens and closes fine. The coin finish of the Beretta is eye catching, but the case coloring of the Merkel is just as handsome. In general, my feeling is that the Merkel seems more "hand crafted" than the Beretta. I don't think you can lose either way. But I would buy another Merkel in a minute (if my wife would let me)

 

Thanks for the reply. I need to find one and look at how if feels before deciding for sure, but am very tempted to get the Merkel.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

I have both and actually prefer the Beretta, but only in case coloring. I'm not a big fan of coin finishes (available for both guns), but the case-colored Beretta is magnificent. The wood on the Beretta's are generally much nicer, which matters to me. Despite its lighter weight, I find the Merkel is a little boxier / clunkier in the field, while the Beretta a little more refined and smooth-swinging. It is also a bit less recoiling due to the extra weight. I have heard that the Merkel will last longer, though both will certainly outlast me.

 

The 470's that have 28" barrels are choked Mod/Full and I think even Beretta says not to shoot steel thru a full choke.

I had a 147 EL and it gave me fits when I shot waterfowl(strength) loads.

I went back to my 390 autoloader for ducks/geese.

 

Thank you all. Have bought a merkel 47e from Gunsamerica. My only concern is i was not able to see it personally before buying. Will see how i like it after shooting a few boxes of shells through it.

 

I think you made the right choice and I envy you. I have Beretta Silverhawk 471 , its very nice, but I think those Merkels are a little higher grade. I like my Beretta very much, light to carry in the field, good lookin, shoots well, it's quality too. But, I've shouldered a 147E (20ga.) and 1620EL (16ga.) both are a dream to shoulder. I also perfer Merkel's engraving. One day I'll have one in the safe. Right now I'm in the market for German Shorthair Pointer. I keep telling the wife, if you hunt with a german dog you need a german shotgun.

 

Hi

A good alternate is a Fabarm Beta Europe 3" chambers, it is steel shot compatible, have 28 - 30 inch barrels and have a ENGLISH OR PISTOL stock. Also there are 5 innerchokes in the packet. Its a little bit cheaper then a Beretta Silverhawk.
For more information visit http://www.fabarm.com/

 

I looked at the Fabarm, and could not get comfortable with the swing. I know they have several models, and just may have picked up the wrong gun. I have not received the gun i had said i would buy, and am still waiting. Hope i like it, but have a 3 day return time.

I guess i did not look at the 471 as it was out of my price range. i was only looking at used guns. I have heard great things about it.

 

odo,
You made a good choice. I've got a Merkel 16 ga and it's a dream to shoulder and shoot. I just got it this year so I have not carried it in the field yet but expect it to be great there too as it weighs just a tad over 6 lbs.

I would like to pick up a 12 ga. next but I think I need to move a few things out of the safe first.

Enjoy your new gun.

 

So how do you like it now that you've owned it a while?

 

You just can't go wrong with a Merkel but you could've gone eitherway since thay both are fantastic guns. I keep serveral Merkel in my collection and I also have a 470 in 2Ga/26"/English that is my knockabout gun. I don't shot clays, all I do is wild bird hunt, so I can only speak for from my field exprience.
I use my Merkel only on those "Celebrity" ocassions or only if I'm hunting out of a rig, I do think my 147 is a little heavy for carrying it all day on foot but it certaintly is build well to stand up to any type of field conditions. As for my 470, i have taken it from coast to coast and border to border, it has never let me down, I like the 26" barrel for the woods, its a little quicker to swing and I also think the single trigger on it has some advantage over the doubles on my merkel.

 

So how do you like it now that you've owned it a while?

I love it. Had the chokes opened up to Skt1 and Skt2 and it performs like a charm over the dogs. I just regulate the ammo to the job.

Unfortunately, my stock cracked on it. Don't know how or why but it did. May have been something starting on the inside as I was second owner. Don't know.
It is being fixed as I type by Griffin and Howe. Should repair up without a trace.

I'm still going to buy another one, most likely the 1620.