Merkel K5 Carbon
Merkel GmbH · Rifle · In Production · 2026
Also known as: Merkel Kipplaufbüchse K5 Carbon
Overview
The Merkel K5 Carbon is a German single-shot break-action hunting rifle (Kipplaufbüchse) built on Merkel's K5 tilting-block system, with a removable steel-on-steel tilting breechblock and a manual cocking system for safe carry. The Carbon model fits a lightweight carbon-fibre thumbhole stock with a height-adjustable comb, keeping the rifle down to about 2 kg. It uses a side- and length-adjustable direct trigger pre-set at roughly 600 g, an i-Sight demountable open-sight system and an M15x1 threaded muzzle, and is offered across standard hunting calibres such as .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield and 6.5 Creedmoor as well as magnum chamberings. The break-open barrel can be swapped for other calibres, and the rifle is available in right- or left-hand configurations.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2000 g (70.5 oz) |
| Barrel Length | 560 mm (22.05") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 6 N (1.3 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 840 m/s (2756 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3592 J (2649 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Carbon Fiber |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .308 Winchester · primary · 7.62x51mm NATO — also known as .308 Win, 7.62x51mm, 7.62 NATO
- .30-06 Springfield — also known as .30-06, 7.62x63mm
- 6.5 Creedmoor — also known as 6.5 CM, 6.5mm Creedmoor
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Cocking System, Decocker
- Features: Removable Tilting Block Breech, Manual Cocking Slide, Adjustable Direct Trigger, Carbon Fiber Thumbhole Stock, Height Adjustable Comb, I-Sight Universal Sights, Muzzle Threaded M15x1, Left Or Right Hand Configurations, Interchangeable Barrels
Variants
- Merkel K5 Black - Synthetic Stock
- Merkel K5 Jagd - Walnut Stock
Production
Production years: 2026-present
Civilian hunting rifle; production figures not publicly disclosed
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Merkel
Notes
Introduced by Merkel of Suhl in 2026 as the carbon-stocked member of the K5 single-shot family, alongside the synthetic K5 Black and walnut-stocked hunting versions. Standard-calibre barrels are offered in 56 cm (smooth) or 51 cm (fluted); magnum calibres use a 60 cm barrel. Prepared for Suhler elevation mounts (SAM) and Merkel's HLX suppressor.
Background
Merkel, famed in Suhl since 1898 for its ornate double rifles and drillings, applies aerospace carbon fibre to the classic Continental Kipplaufbüchse in the K5 Carbon, trimming a single-shot stalking rifle to roughly two kilograms while keeping its removable tilting-block breech.