As far as I know Merkle is the only newly made gun with a crossbolt. The crossbolt surely doesn't hurt, that is what Merkle is tooled up for so that is what they make. Why change now? Why do they have bolsters on their shotguns? No real need for them either. Why table lumps, (I think)? Monoblock is better, chopper lumps impress as well. I'm not dissing your Merkle, as I stated I would have one. I prefer upper end Japanese shotguns and some low end ones too! Oh and occasionally a "Woolnerized" 1100 20 Ga. classless pragmatist I!

Chief