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Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 863 Location: NoDak

Hi all, so whats your take on a 1620? What are the pros and cons?

Also, whats a good price on a good used one?

Thanks as always!!!!!!

Greg

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

gjw,

I love mine. I had Briley put Thin Wall tubes in it and use it for everything.

I don't find any flaws from my point of view.

I would say the a LNIB would go for somewhere around the $3K or up price range.
Mine cost me $3500 last year for a brand new one. MSRP is around $4300 I believe.

Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 59 Location: ILLINOIS

The laser guidance on my 1620 wouldn't turn on at first, but after it was exposed to sunlight the laser kicked in a sharp way. A high pitched electronic whine, similar to a flash charging on a SLR camera, began.

Apparently the lasers are solar powered and no one had told me. Wink

Mighty accurate. I'm beginning to feel sorry for the Pheasants.

What's really simple and over-looked by many is the fact that the 1620 barrels are the same size and width as the 20ga barrels.
They are simply bored-out for the 16ga shell.
This gives you a lighter barrel.
My 1620 weighs 5lbs 15oz My 47E 20ga weighs 6lbs 4oz with a significantly tip toward barrel weight/balance difference.

I do believe this is the "magic" others refer to about the 1620.

When you look at the barrels from the reciever end, the wall thickness of the 20 is obviously increasd.

Of course I tried to fit the 20ga barrels on the 1620, they fit, but not well. The German control over tolerances & precision of each gun would never allow for such a silly thing. (B.Rizzini and Beretta often do)

Member Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 371 Location: mpls mn

How long does it take to break one of these guns in? I took a look at a side by side not sure what model had a cross bolt at cabelas and man o man are they tight!!!

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

Guest

Merkel should probably supply a small crowbar to get the fore end off during the 10 year break-in period. Mine was (and still is) an incredibly tight gun, and I'm not the first owner!

I bought mine used from Cabelas for $3K a couple of years ago. It was in excellent condition with the factory case. I believe mine is #11 (it's in the safe) imported in the US. The only issue, depending on your own thoughts about chokes, is that they are tight. The guns have very tight tolerances as mentioned above. Mine weighed in at 6.25 lbs. They are a real delight to carry and being a 16 Very Happy

, pack a real punch. You want regret buying one.

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

HC,

I solved the problem of the choking by having Briley put Thin Walls in mine. Very Happy

Now I can choke it whatever I feel is right for the job at hand. Wink

Member Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Posts: 989 Location: Las Vegas

God, I'd love one! Unfortunatley, my gun stash $$$ are at an all time low right now. Although, if I could convince myself to live with a pistol grip I could probably find one for $500-600! Laughing

Matt

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

Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 59 Location: ILLINOIS

My 1620 & 280 are pretty tight as well. Not bad though.

I have a 47E that is NOT tight.
It opens smoothly and closes easily too.
I feel like I did very little to get it that way.
I think some of them just come this way.
I must admit it increases my enjoyment when using it for clays.

I was told a gunsmith can losen-up your Merkel quite easily. Of course I'm apprehensive to touch them because I don't want a Merkel in 10 years that flops open & closed.
I'm told that's not the case.