I have owned, sold and shot a bunch of Merkels. Best Clays shooter was a 30in sporter that I regret selling. Best hunter was a 20ga model 8 weighed 5lbs 12oz I miss this one also.Best looking was a 16ga 147e with killer wood and english stock. I think the GDR guns had better internal fit and finish while the latter guns had better wood. I sold a bunch of GDR Merkels over the years from model 8s to sidelock 147SLs. Can't remember a mechanical issue with a GDR gun . Did see some cracks off the points of the actions but they usually started at the point and stopped soon where the stock wood got thicker.
