Thank you for choosing a Merkel product. The Merkel SR1 semi

Good Hunting!
Thank you for choosing a Merkel product.
The Merkel SR1 semi-automatic is an outstanding precision hunting rifle.
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 UNFAMILAR WITH FIREARMS, SEEK FURTHER ADVICE THROUGH
SAFE FIREARMS HANDLING COURSES ORGANIZED BY LOCAL GUN CLUBS, CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS OR SIMILAR
QUALIFIED ORGANIZATIONS.
WARNING!
TREAT EVERY FIREARM AS IF IT WERE LOADED AT ALL TIMES! REMEMBER, NO SAFETY DEVICE IS FOOLPROOF!
FIREARMS SAFETY IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PERSON WHO HANDLES FIREARMS, AND AMMUNITION!
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 high visibility 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
1. Safety
2. Components
3. Loading the Merkel SR1 semi-automatic rifle
4. Locking and releasing the safety
5. Unloading the rifle
6. Disassembling the rifle for cleaning and maintenance
7. Reassembling the rifle
8. Magazine assembly and disassembly
9. Adjusting drop and cast on the buttstock
10. Iron sights and scope mounts for optical sights
11. Technical data
1. Security warning
Before you attempt to use or shoot your new Merkel rifle, read and understand the instructions and warnings in this
manual for safe and proper operating and maintenance procedures.
The following basic instructions are mandatory for safe use and maintenance of your Merkel SR1 rifle:
1. The rifle should always be handled as if it were loaded and ready to fire.
2. Always keep the muzzle of your firearm pointed in a safe direction. Never point or aim any firearm at any person
or thing you do not intend to shoot.
3. Do not totally and blindly rely on the mechanical safety devices on any firearm. The mechanical function of the
safety is to block sear engagement to prevent unintentional discharge of the firearm. However, should this device
fail, it is possible to discharge a firearm. Never place your finger on the trigger when you do not intend to shoot or if
the muzzle is pointed in an unsafe direction.
4. Never place your finger on the trigger during loading, unloading or during cleaning and maintenance procedures.
5. Always wear and encourage others to wear protective shooting glasses and ear protection when shooting.
Protective glasses can prevent injury from flying particles and debris. Ear protection can prevent the user from
hearing loss.
6. Never use excessive force to operate the rifle during use or in the process of disassembly or cleaning procedures.
7. When firing the rifle, keep your face and hands away from the ejection port and bolt carrier to prevent injury from
ejected ammunition casings and expelled gas particles.
The Merkel model SR1 is equipped with reliable safety features and has been produced in accordance with the most
modern and precise engineering and manufacturing standards. However, the safety and function of the weapon can
be compromised when the rifle is dropped or subjected to severe impact or damage. In such cases, the rifle should
be inspected by the manufacturer or a Merkel factory trained technician.
Merkel is not liable for any accidents that result from improper use or handling, or any unauthorized repair,
replacement of parts or modifications to the Merkel SR1 rifle.
1. Components
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Upper housing with barrel assembly
Lower housing with buttstock
Bolt carrier assembly
Cocking lever
Forearm assembly
Detachable magazine
Takedown pin
4
3
1
2
5
7
6
3. Loading the 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 the unspent cartridges
with subsequent operation of the trigger until
the magazine is empty. After the final round is
fired the bold 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.
4. 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!!!
(see right photograph)
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.
5. 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 right photograph.
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.
6. 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 right
photograph.
Once the gas piston is thoroughly clean, depress the slide
release and close the bolt carrier assembly.
Remove the take down pin with a punch or the bullet point of
a cartridge. Move the upper housing with barrel assembly
forward and separate it from the lower housing and buttstock.
(See photograph on right side)
Lift both push rods from the bolt carrier and slide the bolt
carrier assembly to the rear of the upper housing. (See right
photograph)
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.
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.
7. Reassembling the rifle
Insert the breech block into the bolt carrier assembly as shown.
Be sure the extractor is placed into its proper position!!!
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.
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.
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.
8. 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.
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.
9. 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.
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 counterclockwise.
Four stock spacer plates are included with the rifle and the drop and cast
can be modified in various settings ± 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 right photograph)
Positions:
Position 1:
Position 2:
Position 3:
Position 4:
Position 5:
Position 6:
Position 7:
Position 8:
Position 9:
Straight stock (standard setting)
Stock drop 5 mm high
Stock drop 5 mm low
Stock cast 5 mm to the right
Stock cast 5 mm to the left
Stock drop 5 mm high and cast 5 mm to the right
Stock drop 5 mm low and cast 5 mm to the right
Stock drop 5 mm high and cast 5 mm to the left
Stock drop 5 mm low and cast 5 mm to the left
10. Iron sights and scope mounts for optical sights
Iron sights
The SR1 is equipped with quick acquisition iron sights. The rear sight is a battue rib with white outline and the
front sigh is equipped with a high visibility light element adjustable for windage and elevation.
A 1,5 mm hexagonal wrench is required to adjust a screw located an 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.
11. Technical data
SR1
Caliber
Barrel length
Barrel profile
Overall length
Weight
.308 Winchester
.30-06 Springfield
8x57IS
9.3x62
7x64
500 mm (19.7 inches)
.300 Winchester Mag.
510 mm (20 inches)
Lands and grooves
1060 mm (41.7 inches)
1070 mm (42.125 inches)
ca. 3.2 kg (7 lbs.)
Other:
Trigger force
ca. 16N
INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL
SEMIAUTOMATIC RIFLE SR 1
MERKEL Warranty Card
Model: .............................. Weapon No..: ................................ Caliber: ..............................
For this weapon MERKEL Jagd- und Sportwaffen GmbH offers a warranty of five years beginning on the date of purchase (see warranty conditions). By signing this card the owner
confirms that he will learn proper use of the weapon and familiarize him or herself with the instructions.
Name of purchaser: .................................................... Date of purchase: .....................
Store where purchased: .................................................................................................
Date: ...............................................................................................................................
Signature: .......................................................................................................................
Please send the filled out warranty card within 14 days of the date of purchase.