Merkel Sidebyside Shotgun Instructions Manual

DRILLINGS
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Merkel Drillings differ from side-by-side shotguns in that in addition to two
side-by-side shotgun barrels there is a rifle barrel centered directly under the
two shotgun barrels. 
OPERATION OF THE DRILLING SAFETY MECHANISM
There are three positions: 1. Safe  2. Fire for Shotgun barrels  3.  Fire for
Rifle barrel and left Shotgun barrel.  
ATTENTION-MANUAL SAFETY MECHANISM!
THE SAFETY PROVIDED ON MERKEL DRILLINGS IS MANUALLY
OPERATED AND DOES NOT OPERATE AUTOMATICALLY....

until the red dot firing indicator is uncovered. Both shotgun barrels can 
now be fired.  The front trigger fires the right barrel and the rear trigger
the left barrel.
Position 3- The rifle barrel is selected by pushing the safety slide all the
way forward, the rifle is cocked when the safety button on the safety
slide pops up. The rifle barrel can now be fired by using the front trigger
and the rear trigger will fire the left shotgun barrel.  
Uncocking the DrillingÕs Rifle Barrel - Depress the button...

from simultaneous discharge of both barrels.  The front trigger also can
function as a set (hair) trigger and can be set by pushing the trigger for-
ward.  NEVERfire the rear trigger with the front trigger in the set
(hair) position as  both barrels could fire simultaneously.   Note:The
front trigger can be operated in its set (hair) mode for either the rifle
barrel or the right shotgun barrel.
TOP LEVER
The top lever operates the locking bolt, which securely aligns and clasps
the barrel assembly shut to...

To insert rounds in the chamber, move the top lever to the right with
the thumb of your firing hand and open the breech. Inspect the cham-
bers and barrel bores to be sure they are free of any obstruction. Insert a
round in each chamber and close the action. Be sure the round primer
and rim is facing rearward when inserting shells in the chamber. When
you close the breech of the action, let the top lever move freely to its
locked position. Do not restrain its travel with your thumb. It is 
Figure...

FIREARM ASSEMBLY
SIDE-BY-SIDE SHOTGUNS, DOUBLE RIFLES & DRILLINGS 
Before assembly, be certain there is no ammunition in either chamber and
position the safety in the ÒSÓ or ÒSafeÓ position.
Remove all protective lubricants from your firearm before initial assembly.
Use a cleaning rod, patches and a light gun oil or solvent to clean the interi-
or of the firearm bore. Use a cleaning cloth and light gun oil to remove pro-
tective lubricants from metal parts on the receiver and barrel assemblies.
Figure...

rel lug hinge pin recess, and rotate the barrels upward to close the action.
Release the top lever at this time.
Pivot the forearm assembly onto the barrels. Align the forearm in its proper
position on the barrels and push the forearm lever upward into its housing.
This locks the forearm back into its original position on the barrels.
Figure 10-Barrel Assembly
ATTENTION!While assembling your firearm, do not use excessive
force when closing the action! If the action and barrels are not aligned
properly,...

ammunition that does not match the corresponding gauge or caliber of
the firearm. For example, do not use 20 gauge ammunition in a 12 gauge
gun. In addition, do not use rounds with chamber lengths that exceed
the chamber length of the firearm barrel.
DANGER - AMMUNITION WARNING!
SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE
MAY RESULT FROM ANY CONDITION WHICH CON-
TRIBUTES TO THE GENERATION OF EXCESSIVE PRES-
SURE, OR THE UNCONTROLLED RELEASE OF GAS,
WITHIN A FIREARM. THE FOREGOING ADVERSE CON-
DITIONS CAN...

Figure 11-Gauge, Chamber Length and Choke Designation
Chamber lengths are identified by the numeral 70 or 76. The
numeral 76 designates a chamber length of 76mm which is equal
to the English measurement of 3 inches. A barrel marked with
the numeral 70 designates a chamber length of 70mm which is
equal to the English measurement of 2
3/4inches.
Use of shotgun rounds with chamber lengths shorter than the
shotgun chamber length is acceptable. However, never use rounds
with chamber lengths greater than the...

Choke
Identification
DescriptionPercentageDistance
1/1 Full Choke   70 - 75 35m
3/4 Improved   65 - 70 35m
Modified Choke
1/2 Modified Choke  60 -65 35m
1/4  Quarter Choke  55 - 60 35m
VZ Improved   45 - 50 35m
Cylinder Choke
S Skeet  70 - 75 20m
DRY FIRING
ATTENTION!!!!! Dry firing or pulling the triggers without live
ammunition is not recommended without the use of snap caps.
Snap caps absorb the inertia of the firing pins and protect inter-
nal parts from the full impact force of the hammers....

the barrel lug away from the receiver hinge pin and separate the barrels
from the receiver. The forearm can be reattached to the barrels for stor-
age.
Do not attempt further disassembly beyond barrel and forearm
removal!!! Further disassembly is not necessary for routine maintenance.
Any damage incurred due to further disassembly is not covered by your
service warranty.
FURTHER DISASSEMBLY BY UNQUALIFIED 
PERSONS COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE
FIREARM WHICH COULD RESULT IN
INJURY OR DEATH TO THE SHOOTER....