ERA-TAC picatinny rail - Merkel SR1

Introduction

Picatinny rail consists of slots with 5.23 mm spaces between one another, which means that it can be used across its entire length. It is simple to mount and interchangeable – if something is made for a Picatinny rail, it will fit regardless of the manufacturer or manufacturing date. It is affordable, resilient and reliable – this is why it so commonly used by professionals and military. Because of all its great qualities, Picatinny rail has been dominating the rail market in the recent years.

Picatinny is a big step forward from the Weaver standard. Weaver has a few predesignated slots while Picatinny has slots all over its surface, allowing the device to be mounted wherever the user finds it fitting. Weaver's slot is 3.8 mm wide, which is why ring mounts made for a Weaver rail will also fit on a Picatinny rail while ring mounts made specifically for a Picatinny rail will not fit on a Weaver rail. This is one of the main reasons why Picatinny is a far better mounting solution.

Recknagel is currently the biggest manufacturer of mounts in Germany. Their Picatinny rails, known for great fit and finish, are mostly made of high-grade aluminum (a few are also made of steel), which is why they are very reliable. Screws are included. Currently, a common trend among rifle manufacturers is making receivers out of aluminum – mounting a Picatinny rail made of aluminum on one of those receivers is thus not problematic. Their products are marketed either under the name Recknagel or Era-Tac.

About the rifle

Merkel is a firearms manufacturer from Germany. Thuringia, Suhl. They manufacture bolt-action rifles, double rifles, drillings, and shotguns. During World War 1 many of the company's markets were lost, and they didn't recover until 1924. After the outbreak of World War 2, the company started producing carbines, engines and equipment parts. Soon after the war ended, they started producing hunting rifles. In 1990, Merkel underwent some modernization and innovation, when Germany reunified. Today, Merkel company is parented by the United Arab Emirates company, Caracal International.

Merkel SR1 uses a self-loading gas system with solid rotary bolt head, equipped with six locking lugs. The rifle has a free floating barrel. SR1 is available in standard or magnum calibers. Standard barrel length is 50 cm, magnum 51 cm. The magazine carries the capacity of 2 or 5 rounds. Standard caliber suits 5 rounds, magnum type 2 rounds. Cartridges are automatically ejected through semi-automatic ejector on the right side of the rifle. SR1 is chambered for: .223 Rem., 7x64, .308 Win., .30-06, 8x57IS, 9,3x62, .300 Win. Mag. SR 1 has four holes drilled for the purpose of mounting – two holes on the front side and two holes on the backside. Its action is round-shaped.

A: 21.9 mm
B: 88.5 mm
C: 15.4 mm
BHU: 0 mm
Fi: 6-48
R1: R24
R2: R24

Mounting instructions

Remove all the stains (grease, oil etc.) from the rifle's receiver with a cleaning fluid (acetone). Once the surface is clean and dry, check whether the screws match the rail and the holes on the receiver. Make sure that the Picatinny rail is compatible with the rifle by inspecting the mounting holes on both. Before mounting the rail permanently, apply a minimal amount of thread-locking fluid 278 or 648 on screws and contact surfaces. Be careful not to get the fluid in or near the mounting holes. Carefully clean the remaining excess fluid around the rail with a cleaning fluid. Using a torque driver, screw the screws appropriately (up to 2.2 Nm) – do not overtighten.

Warranty

The product has a warranty period of 10 years.