I have always been concerned about shotguns that are converted to rifles. I have a Merkel SXS double rifle made on a 20ga size frame, when I put the stocked action (no barrels, forarm) on a scale it weighs much more than my 20 ga Merkel shotgun frame, although I have not taken either apart to look I suspect there is a lot more reinforcing on the inside of the rifle than on the shotgun.
On another note, I understand that the price of a "brand name" double rifle can be more than some people want to pay. But I have had Merkel 141's in 9.3x74R that looked new in the box for sale at $4400. When I look at the whole package (everyone knows what a Merkel is, resale, etc) I think most people would still be better off with a name brand double than a reworked Baikal (no matter how nice it is) for almost $3000. For that matter I can get a new Antonio Zoli O/U double rifle for the same money as the Baikal....am I missing something?
