Owner’s Manual Merkel SR1 Semi-Automatic Rifle This manual and the warnings contained herein must be read and understood before using your firearm. This manual familiarizes the user with the function and the handling of the firearm and warns of the potential dangers of misuse that may lead to accidents or injuries. This manual should always accompany this firearm and be transferred with it upon change of ownership, or when the firearm is loaned or presented to another person. THIS MANUAL IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A HUNTING SAFETY COURSE OR A FIREARMS SAFETY COURSE!
Our Policy
Firearm safety and firearm responsibility have been and continue to be the commitment of Merkel USA in the marketing and distribution of hunting and sporting firearms. The emphasis placed on safe handling and safe storage of firearms is reflected in our sales and marketing materials, manuals and the design and manufacture of our products. Merkel USA strictly adheres to all federal, state and local laws in marketing of its lines of firearms. While education and regulation cannot eliminate the possibility of an unintentional discharge or the use of a firearm by an irresponsible individual, Merkel USA remains committed in our pledge of firearm safety and responsibility in marketing.
WARNING! TREAT EVERY FIREARM AS IF IT WERE LOADED AT ALL TIMES! REMEMBER, NO SAFETY IS FOOLPROOF! FIREARMS SAFETY IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PERSON WHO HANDLES FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION! Dear Customer: Thank you for choosing a Merkel product. The Merkel SR1 semiautomatic is an outstanding precision hunting rifle. Your SR1 is manufactured by Merkel to the highest standards. It has been produced to meet state-of-the-art requirements for today's hunter. You can expect unsurpassed performance, superb quality, optimum user comfort, and long service life. As a result of our thorough quality assurance system, you can be certain that you have purchased a product of truly outstanding quality. Please read this manual and the warnings contained herein carefully to familiarize yourself with the function and operation of this firearm. Good Hunting!
IMPORTANT NOTE: This manual is for use with the Merkel SR1. If you are unsure of the exact model of your Merkel, please contact Merkel USA for identification. Read this manual thoroughly and completely familiarize yourself with your Merkel firearm to get the maximum enjoyment and safety from your new firearm. This manual and the warnings contained herein must be read and understood before using your rifle. This manual familiarizes the user with the function and the handling of the rifle and warns of the potential dangers of misuse that may lead to unintentional discharges or injuries. This manual should always accompany this rifle and be transferred with it upon change of ownership, or when the rifle is loaned or presented to another person. THIS MANUAL IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A FIREARMS SAFETY COURSE! IF UNFAMILIAR WITH FIREARMS, SEEK FURTHER ADVICE THROUGH SAFE FIREARMS HANDLING COURSES ORGANIZED BY LOCAL GUN CLUBS, CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS OR SIMILAR QUALIFIED ORGANIZATIONS.
Technical specifications of this firearm may change without notice. Important Operational Features: • Semi-automatic gas operation offering the user the ability to fire precision shots in rapid succession • Precision cold hammer forged barrel • Quick acquisition iron sight with highly visible illuminated front sight • Receiver equipped to accept various mount configurations including the Weaver style mounting rail which accept multiple types of optical sights • Detachable magazine
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No.
Table of Contents
1. Essential Precautions… ………………………………………… 5 2. Components… ……………………………………………… 11 3. Loading the Merkel SR1 semi-automatic rifle… …………… 12 4. Locking and releasing the safety… ………………………… 13 5. Unloading the rifle… ……………………………………… 14 6. Disassembling the rifle for cleaning and maintenance… … 15 7. Reassembling the rifle… …………………………………… 17 8. Magazine assembly and disassembly… …………………… 20 9. Iron sights and scope mounts for optical sights…………… 22 10. Technical data… …………………………………………… 23 11. Manufacturer's Service Agreement………………………… 24 12. Quick Reference… ………………………………………… 25
MERKEL SR1
ESSENTIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR THE HANDLING OF FIREARMS
THE WARNINGS AND ADVICE GIVEN IN THIS MANUAL ARE FOR YOUR PROTECTION AS WELL AS THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. DISREGARDING INFORMATION IN THIS MANUAL MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. • Before you attempt to use or shoot your new Merkel Firearm, learn and understand the following basic rules. Your safety and the safety of others depends upon your safe and careful handling of your new Merkel firearm. • Any firearm must be considered a potentially dangerous object requiring particular caution in storage, handling and use. • Make sure to ALWAYS handle and treat every firearm as if it were loaded. • Never place your finger on the trigger unless you intend to fire a shot. Always load your Merkel firearm so as to avoid any danger for by-standers. Adequate firearm safety can only be ensured with the firearm in clean and mechanically sound condition. • Inexpert handling as well as improper or negligent care may impair function and safety of the firearm. Unauthorized alterations, modifications or adjustments to the firearm as well as damage to the firearm through carelessness will void any claims under the manufacturer’s service agreement. • Any work on the firearm must be done by qualified and authorized gunsmiths, armorers, or factory authorized service facilities. • Firearms must ALWAYS be stored out of the reach of persons not familiar with firearms, particularly children. NEVER store ammunition with a firearm.
• In order to avoid damage during transport, the firearm should ALWAYS be transported in the original packing carton or in a suitable commercially available transport case. • ALWAYS keep the muzzle of your firearm pointed in a safe direction. NEVER point any firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot. Stay alert and be aware of all persons and property within shooting range. • NEVER give a loaded firearm to another person. ALWAYS open the action and inspect the chamber for ammunition, and unload any firearm before giving the firearm to another person for inspection. ALWAYS ensure that the safety is in the “Safe” position. ALWAYS unload firearms after use to prevent the occurrence of an accidental discharge. • KEEP the barrel, chamber and bore free of all obstructions. Firing a firearm with a barrel, chamber or bore obstruction can cause damage to the firearm and injury to the shooter or other persons nearby, and could result in death. Keep the barrel, chamber and bore free and clean of mud, snow, cleaning patches, or any other materials which may clog the barrel. • NEVER drink alcohol or take medications while handling a firearm Responsible firearm handling requires a state of mental alertness. • ALWAYS seek a doctor’s advice if you are taking a medication to be sure you are fit to shoot and handle a firearm safely. • DO NOT totally and blindly rely on the mechanical safety devices on any firearm. The mechanical safety’s function is to block sear engagement to prevent accidental discharge of the firearm. However, should this device fail, it is possible to fire a firearm even when the safety is in the “Safe” position. NEVER place your finger on the trigger when you do not intend to shoot. NEVER place your finger on the trigger or test any safety device when the muzzle of a firearm is pointed in an unsafe direction. • NEVER transport a loaded firearm. • ALWAYS wear and encourage others to wear protective shooting glasses. Flying particles could damage eyes and cause blindness. Protective shooting glasses could prevent such injury. • ALWAYS wear and encourage others to wear ear protection when shooting, especially on a range. Without ear protection, the noise of even one shot from a firearm, or other firearms close to you, could leave a ringing in your ears for some time after firing while the cumulative long term effect could be permanent hearing loss.
• ALWAYS use only clean, dry, original high quality commercially manufactured ammunition in good condition loaded in accordance with factory standards. Do not use ammunition that has been exposed to prolonged periods of dampness or moisture. Gun and ammunition manufacturers design their products within exacting engineering safety limits. Hand loads and remanufactured ammunition are sometimes outside those limits and can be so unsafe as to blow up or otherwise damage a firearm, and cause injury, death or damage to property. If there are any questions concerning the proper ammunition for your Merkel call or contact Merkel USA, 7661 Commerce Lane, Trussville, Alabama 35173, Tel. (205) 655-8299. Merkel USA specifically disclaims any responsibility for damage or injury whatsoever occurring in connection with, or as a result of, the use of faulty, or non-standard, or “remanufactured” or hand loaded (reloaded) ammunition. • DO NOT put your finger on the trigger while unloading, loading, or any other time before you are ready to shoot. DO NOT dry fire on an empty chamber - the chamber may not be empty even if you think it is not loaded! TREAT EVERY FIREARM AS IF IT WERE LOADED! • KNOW your target and backdrop area. BE SURE it is safe to fire at your target. THINK! What will you HIT if you MISS your intended target? KNOW the potential range of your firearm and ammunition, and consider this danger for persons and property within that range. NEVER fire a firearm in the direction of people, non-game animals or property that could be injured or destroyed. • MAKE SURE your firearm is unloaded before crossing fences, climbing trees, jumping over ditches, or passing through or across other obstacles. DO NOT place or lean a loaded firearm on or against a tree, fence, automobile, or similar objects. • FAILURE TO FIRE: If your firearm fails to fire when you pull the trigger, keep the firearm pointed toward the target or a safe open area and wait for at least two minutes. If a hangfire (slow ignition) has occurred, the round will probably fire within two minutes. If the round does not fire, open the breech of the firearm and remove the round. If the primer of the round is indented, discard the round in a safe manner. If the primer of the round is not indented, or is lightly indented, or off-center, have the firearm examined by a competent gunsmith before the firearm is fired again.
• USE caution to avoid dropping a loaded firearm. Dropping the firearm may cause an accidental discharge even if the safety is in the “Safe” position. Be extremely careful while hunting or during any other activity to avoid dropping any firearm. An accidental discharge could result in serious injury, or death. • TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION to prevent unsafe firearms handling practices around yourself and others. If you witness any unsafe gun handling practices by other shooters, politely suggest safe procedures for future use. • NEVER DISCHARGE a firearm near flammable material. Flame and sparks erupt from the firearm when discharged. They could start a fire or cause flammable liquids and gases to explode. • NEVER SHOOT at a hard surface such as a rock, or a liquid surface such as water. A projectile may ricochet and travel in any direction to strike you, or an object you cannot see, causing injury, death or damage to property. • NEVER WALK, CLIMB OR FOLLOW a companion with your firearm loaded. When walking, climbing or following a companion, MAKE SURE the chamber of the firearm is empty, and the safety is in the “Safe” position. • ALWAYS instruct children to respect firearms. If your children shoot, teach them or have them trained by a qualified instructor to treat and use firearms properly, and always supervise them closely. • NEVER abuse your firearm by using it for any purpose other than shooting. • NEVER fire your firearm near an animal unless it is trained to accept the noise. An animal’s startled reaction could injure it or cause an accident. • READ, UNDERSTAND, AND PRACTICE all safety procedures and warnings in this manual. READ, UNDERSTAND AND PRACTICE all safety procedures and warnings on commercial ammunition cartons and containers. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to collect, understand and practice the most up-to-date safe handling procedures for your firearm. MERKEL USA is not responsible for injury, death or damage to property resulting from either intentional or accidental discharge of this firearm, or from its function when used for purposes or subjected to treatment for which it was not designed. • KEEP this instruction manual on hand for future reference. Please include this manual with the firearm in the event you lend, give or sell this firearm to any other person.
before shooting your new firearm Usually, your Merkel franchised dealer will furnish your firearm in completely assembled condition. You need only clean the barrel bore of oil and wipe the bore dry before shooting.
BORE OBSTRUCTIONS WARNING! Any obstruction in the bore of the firearm may result in damage to the firearm or injury or death to the shooter and or other persons nearby. Before loading the firearm, make certain the bore is clear and unobstructed. • If you suspect the firearm may have a bore obstruction resulting from excess oil, grease, packing material, or cosmoline, or from condensation or rain, snow or mud in the barrel, or from any other source whatsoever, inspect the bore to be sure it is clear and unobstructed.
WHENEVER YOU INSPECT THE BORE, MAKE CERTAIN THE FIREARM IS NOT LOADED, AND THAT THE CHAMBER IS EMPTY! THE BORE MAY BE CHECKED BY VISUALLY INSPECTING THE BARREL FROM THE RECEIVER END, NOT THE MUZZLE! REMEMBER, NEVER LOOK DOWN THE MUZZLE OF THE FIREARM! • Also, remember that a lodged projectile, wad or shot column is a common form of bore obstruction. They may become lodged in the bore if (assuming the trigger has been pulled with a live round in the chamber) the ammunition contains no powder, or the powder fails to ignite, and only the
primer charge ignites, resulting in insufficient force to propel the projectile, wad or shot column out of the bore. Whenever an obstruction occurs, keep the firearm pointing in a safe direction and proceed as follows: • Any ammunition should be removed. • Insert a proper size cleaning rod (without a tip or brush) into the bore from the muzzle and remove the obstruction. If the obstruction does not readily dislodge, it may be necessary to lightly tap the handle end of the cleaning rod. Do not attempt to remove an obstruction using blank ammunition, or ammunition from which the projectile (or shot) has been removed, or by any other means other than the use of a cleaning rod. Be certain all loose powder has been removed from the bore before inserting the rod. If you are unable to remove the obstruction, take the firearm to the nearest repair facility, or call Merkel USA, 7661 Commerce Lane, Trussville, Alabama 35173, Tel. (205) 6558299. • After removing the obstruction, reinspect the bore to be certain it is free of powder particles or other debris. Clean the mechanism of unburned powder grains.
REMEMBER! ALWAYS CHECK THE BORE FOR AN OBSTRUCTION IF YOU EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY IN CHAMBERING AMMUNITION, EXPERIENCE A FAILURE TO EXTRACT, HAVE A MISFIRE, OR THE FIREARM DOES NOT MAKE A NORMAL LOUD REPORT ON FIRING. A MISFIRE OR UNUSUAL REPORT IS ALWAYS A SIGNAL TO CEASE FIRING. FOLLOWING A MISFIRE OR AN UNUSUAL REPORT, KEEP THE FIREARM POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION AND WAIT TWO MINUTES BEFORE UNLOADING THE CHAMBER AND EXAMINING THE BORE OF THE FIREARM. WARNING! IF LOADED AMMUNITION IS LODGED IN THE CHAMBER, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE AMMUNITION BY USING A CLEANING ROD. TAKE THE FIREARM TO THE NEAREST REPAIR FACILITY, OR CALL Merkel USA, 7661 Commerce Lane, Trussville, Alabama 35173 Tel. (205) 655-8299.
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Figure 1-Parts Identification
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4
6
7
5
Components 1. Upper housing with barrel assembly 2. Lower housing with buttstock 3. Bolt carrier assembly 4. Cocking lever 5. Forearm assembly 6. Detachable magazine 7. Take down pin
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LOADING THE MERKEL SRI SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLE The magazine release lever is located on the front side of the trigger guard. Detach the magazine by pushing the magazine release forward and remove the magazine from the rifle with your other hand.
Load the magazine with the correct ammunition with bullet facing forward toward the muzzle end. Insert the magazine into the magazine well and press upward until the magazine moves to its most upward position and locks into its engagement position.
With the magazine loaded and installed, grasp the cocking lever and pull the bolt carrier to its most rearward position. At this point you can release the cocking lever and a cartridge will be fed from the magazine into the chamber. The weapon is now loaded and ready for firing!!!
When the rifle is fired, it will continue to fire and feed the remainder of 12
the unspent cartridges with subsequent operation of the trigger until the magazine is empty. After the final round is fired the bolt carrier will lock to its open position. The bolt carrier can be closed and released by depressing the slide release located on the lower left side of the lower housing assembly.
Silent Loading To minimize the noise caused by normal loading procedures, follow the previous loading procedure with the following exception: Slowly allow the bolt carrier to return to its forward position by restraining its forward movement then push it forward to ensure that it is engaged into its firing position. The weapon is now loaded and ready for firing!!!
When firing the weapon, be sure that the cocking lever is not blocked or restricted from proper movement. Locking and releasing the safety The safety blocks the trigger from firing when it is positioned on the right side of the trigger guard. Push the safety slide to the left side of the trigger guard in order to prepare the rifle for firing. In this position, a red colored slot appears on top of the safety slide and indicates that the rifle is ready to fire!!! 13
To activate the safety, push the safety slide to the right. The safety slide will protrude through the right side of the trigger guard and in this position the – Trigger system is now locked and in safe position.
Unloading the rifle Put the rifle on safe by pushing the safety slide to the right until it protrudes through the right side of the trigger guard. Remove the detachable magazine from the magazine well. Pull the bolt carrier to its most rear position with the cocking lever and rotate the rifle on its side so that the chambered cartridge can drop through the bottom of the magazine into your free hand as illustrated in the photograph below.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Inspect the chamber area and be sure there is no round remaining in the barrel chamber area after the magazine has been removed. 14
Disassembling the rifle for cleaning and maintenance During normal light use, light oiling of the exterior metal parts and the barrel bore is sufficient for general maintenance. However, in the case of heavy fouling or moisture a detailed cleaning of the weapon is required and the rifle should be disassembled for thorough cleaning as follows: Be absolutely certain that the rifle is unloaded before disassembly or cleaning!!! Push the release button on the bottom of the forearm and move the forearm assembly forward away from the lower housing. The bolt carrier assembly must be closed in order to remove the forearm assembly for disassembly.
After the forearm has been removed, move the bolt carrier to its most rear and locked position away from the gas cylinder. The gas cylinder can now be pulled away from its housing and dirt can be removed from the surface of the gas cylinder surface area as illustrated in the photograph below.
Once the gas piston is thoroughly clean, depress the slide release and close the bolt carrier assembly.
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Remove the take down pin with a punch or the bullet point of the cartridge. Move the upper housing with barrel assembly forward and separate it from the lower housing and buttstock. (See photograph below)
Lift both push rods from the bolt carrier and slide the bolt carrier assembly to the rear of the upper housing. (See photograph below)
Position the bolt carrier assembly as illustrated in the right photograph. With the blade of a small flat head screwdriver, lift the cocking lever pin and slide the cocking lever forward and remove it through the ejection port of the upper housing assembly.
Position the bolt carrier assembly as shown in the photograph on the right. Tip the rear portion of the bolt carrier upwards and remove it from the upper housing.
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Important Note regarding bolt carrier disassembly!! It is important to be aware of the proper position and orientation of the component parts of the bolt carrier before disassembly. These components can only be reassembled in their proper position and the extra time taken to understand this will aid in the reassembly of these parts.
Remove the retaining clip from the firing pin retainer bolt and remove the firing pin retainer bolt from its housing.
Note: Be aware of the extractor position before disassembly • Remove firing pin to the rear of the bolt carrier assembly • Remove the control bolt • Remove the cover assembly • Remove the breech bolt.
Reassembling the rifle Insert the breech block into the bolt carrier assembly as shown. Be sure the extractor is placed into its proper position!!!
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Position the cover in its proper position on the bolt carrier assembly.
Insert the control bolt.
Insert the firing pin
Insert the firing pin retaining bolt into its housing and secure it with the retaining clip.
Place the bolt carrier assembly into the upper housing. Be sure that the control bolt is properly positioned into the designated groove.
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Position the bolt carrier assembly as illustrated in the right photograph and insert the cocking lever until it locks and slide it to the rear of the bolt carrier assembly. The bolt carrier must be held firmly when inserting the cocking lever.
Attach the push rods into the channels on both sides of the bolt carrier assembly as shown.
Attach the upper housing with barrel assembly on the lower housing with buttstock assembly and push back until both assemblies are connected.
Insert the take down pin into the casing by hand. Be sure that the take down pin is flush in its proper position and firmly attached.
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Be sure the bolt carrier is in its closed position and attach the forearm assembly and pull it back until the forearm release button locks. Insert the detachable magazine into the magazine well. The rifle is now assembled and ready for firing.
Magazine assembly and disassembly Disassembly of the magazine Press the pin of the magazine insert, which protrudes through the magazine bottom, with a small screw driver or punch tool. The magazine is under substantial spring tension, so be extra careful not to lose control of the magazine parts when performing the next step in its disassembly. Carefully remove the magazine bottom away from the magazine body. The magazine spring and follower can now be disassembled.
Reassembly of the magazine Insert the follower, magazine spring and magazine insert into the magazine body as illustrated in the right photograph.
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Press the magazine insert into the magazine body far enough to allow the magazine bottom to be mounted. These parts are now under substantial spring tension so be careful not to lose control of these items during this procedure. Position the magazine insert pin in the hole located in the magazine bottom. Make sure that the magazine insert pin protrudes completely through the hole on the magazine bottom and that the magazine is completely secured and locks into its proper assembled position.
Adjusting drop and cast on the buttstock The Merkel SR1 offers 9 different adjustment settings for the buttstock. The buttstock must be removed from the lower housing assembly to install interchangeable stock spacers which modify the stock dimensions. Remove the recoil pad with a phillips head screwdriver.
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A 5 mm hexagonal wrench with a 10 inch shaft is required to disassemble the buttstock from the lower housing assembly. Position the wrench through the rear of the buttstock into the buttstock receptacle screw and remove the buttstock from the lower housing by turning the receptacle screw counter-clockwise. Four stock spacer plates are included with the rifle and the drop and cast can be modified in various settings ¹ 5mm (approximately 3/16 inches) The stock spacer plates are numbered 1 – 9. Each number designates a specific dimension setting for the buttstock. The number is to be positioned in the lower left hand location when inserted into the buttstock where it is attached to the lower housing. (See photograph below)
Position 1: Straight stock (standard setting) Position 2: Stock drop 5mm high Position 3: Stock drop 5mm low Position 4: Stock cast 5mm to the right Position 5: Stock cast 5mm to the left Position 6: Stock drop 5mm high and cast 5mm to the right Position 7: Stock drop 5mm low and cast 5mm to the right Position 8: Stock drop 5mm high and cast 5mm to the left Position 9: Stock drop 5mm low and cast 5mm to the left Iron sights and scope mounts for optical sights Iron sights The SR1 is equipped with quick acquisition iron sights. The rear sight is 22
a battue rib with white outline and the front sight is equipped with a high visibility light element adjustable for windage and elevation. A 1.5mm hexagonal wrench is required to adjust a screw located on the front side of the front sight mount base to adjust the dovetail of the front sight base for windage. A knurled screw located in front of the front sight light element is provided for elevation adjustments. Scope mounts The upper housing of the SR1 is threaded to accept mounting screws and scope mounts to attach optical sights to the rifle. A variety of scope mount configurations are available. Call Merkel USA at (205) 655-8299 for more information. Technical data
Caliber
Barrel Length Barrel Profile Overall Length Weight Other: Trigger Force
SR1 .308 Winchester .30-06 Springfield 8x57IS .300 Winchester Mag. 9.3x62 7x64 500mm (19.7 in.) 510mm (20 in.) Lands and grooves 1060mm (41.7 in.) 1070mm (42.125 in.) ca. 3.2 kg (7 lbs.) ca. 16N
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Manufacturer’s Free Service Agreement The Magnuson-Moss Act (Public Law 93-637) does not require any seller or manufacturer of a consumer product to give a written warranty. It does provide that if a written warranty is given, it must be designated as “Limited” or as “Full” and sets minimum standards for a “Full” warranty. Merkel Jagd-und Sportwaffen GmbH has elected not to provide any written warranty, either “Limited” or “Full”, rather than attempt to comply with the provisions of the Magnuson-Moss Act and the regulations issued thereunder. However, Merkel Jagd-und Sportwaffen GmbH recognizes its obligations concerning implied warranty. Also, Merkel Jagd-und Sportwaffen GmbH stands behind its product and will continue to provide service to its product line. Also, Merkel Jagd-und Sportwaffen GmbH products will be serviced for a period of one year from the date of retail purchase, for defects in materials or workmanship, at no charge to the purchaser. Merkel Jagd-und Sportwaffen GmbH will repair or replace, at our option, any unserviceable part(s) of your Merkel firearm for one year from the date of purchase. This agreement will not apply to your firearm when it is altered, abused, willfully damaged, or damaged by over pressure ammunition. Moreover, this agreement will not apply to those parts of your firearm which have been "tuned" or "gunsmithed" for performance other than that of the standard product. This agreement is not transferable. Its benefits apply only to the original purchaser. You may obtain free service provision at any time this agreement is in effect. To obtain this free service, make sure your firearm is not loaded and ship it to Merkel USA 7661 Commerce Lane, Trussville, AL 35173, Tel: (205) 655-8299. Prior to shipping call for express shipping instructions. To register for your Merkel one year free service agreement, please complete the purchase card enclosed, detach it, and mail it within 30 days of purchase. 24
Quick Reference For Your Merkel
Model Number:________________________
Caliber:______________________________
Barrel Length:_________________________
Serial Number:_________________________
Date Purchased:_______________________
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