Gun Fit
- Thread starter Pete409
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MCgunner
Member
Hasn't bothered my Mossy, but the stock is plastic camo. I cut pieces from a walmart pop bottle. Took four to shim it to suit me, was trial and error. Just cut 'em in a U with the bottom of the U a bit longer on the shim closest to the receiver and tapering to the top shim. Here's what it looked like after a rough trimming with a pocket knife. This is my old Mossberg duck gun and it's "seen the elephant" as they say. LOL Mossberg makes a shim kit that isn't expensive, but I'm a cheap SOB.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Foil works well, is cheap and doesn't corrode or cause other materials near it to do so.
Fold a small piece and work opposites. If you want POI to go up, put the foil at the bottom between stock and receiver. Measure beforehand and stop when you've moved things 1/8" at most. Pattern and see the results before proceeding.
Fold a small piece and work opposites. If you want POI to go up, put the foil at the bottom between stock and receiver. Measure beforehand and stop when you've moved things 1/8" at most. Pattern and see the results before proceeding.
2nd Barrel
Member
Gun Fit Issues
Hi Pete et al.
I'm new to the forum. Good to find some decent info on gunfit.
I want to buy a O/U for sporting clays and perhaps some very occasional hunting.
I've shouldered a Miroku MK70 which seemed to fit quite well. Centre and foresights came together well and it sat on the shoulder ok when dry mounting in the shop.
The MK70 is a cheaper model Miroku at $1600 (Australian) non graded wood, Inv chokes and fixed trigger.
The MK10 is the gun l believe l want; has Grade1 wood, a factory recoil pad, Invector+ chokes and a hard case and is $1900 (Australian), so not significantly more money. However, the extra 3/4inch or so of recoil pad upset the feel relative to the MK70. I think l can rectify that by having a gunsmith refit it to a shortened stock or changing the pad completely to a Pachmayr.
The MK10 was also significantly heavier, although the balance felt ok. My question to myself, is 'Is the MK10 too heavy?'
How do l answer that?
The extra weight will be better for sporting clays but changing from 32g to 28g loads will also reduce the felt recoil too.
I realise the Miroku is not too popular in USA but there is no info available on local www sites to answer this. As it's only my 2nd gun and the 1st was a el cheapo that was never 'fitted', l dont want to make an expensive mistake.
Any info appreciated..........
2nd Barrel
Hi Pete et al.
I'm new to the forum. Good to find some decent info on gunfit.
I want to buy a O/U for sporting clays and perhaps some very occasional hunting.
I've shouldered a Miroku MK70 which seemed to fit quite well. Centre and foresights came together well and it sat on the shoulder ok when dry mounting in the shop.
The MK70 is a cheaper model Miroku at $1600 (Australian) non graded wood, Inv chokes and fixed trigger.
The MK10 is the gun l believe l want; has Grade1 wood, a factory recoil pad, Invector+ chokes and a hard case and is $1900 (Australian), so not significantly more money. However, the extra 3/4inch or so of recoil pad upset the feel relative to the MK70. I think l can rectify that by having a gunsmith refit it to a shortened stock or changing the pad completely to a Pachmayr.
The MK10 was also significantly heavier, although the balance felt ok. My question to myself, is 'Is the MK10 too heavy?'
How do l answer that?
The extra weight will be better for sporting clays but changing from 32g to 28g loads will also reduce the felt recoil too.
I realise the Miroku is not too popular in USA but there is no info available on local www sites to answer this. As it's only my 2nd gun and the 1st was a el cheapo that was never 'fitted', l dont want to make an expensive mistake.
Any info appreciated..........
2nd Barrel
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
2nd Barrel, welcome aboard.
There's lots of happy Miroku owners in the US. I'm not familiar with those particular models but am inclined to think they are good value for the money.
The more costly of the two models is heavier, you say. It's probably a target style shotgun rather than a hunting gun. In either case, it needs to fit you.
While I preach against willynilly modifications daily, the addition of a good pad and the trimming of a stock to fit comes in as well nigh mandatory.
Good luck and HTH....
There's lots of happy Miroku owners in the US. I'm not familiar with those particular models but am inclined to think they are good value for the money.
The more costly of the two models is heavier, you say. It's probably a target style shotgun rather than a hunting gun. In either case, it needs to fit you.
While I preach against willynilly modifications daily, the addition of a good pad and the trimming of a stock to fit comes in as well nigh mandatory.
Good luck and HTH....
2nd Barrel,
Welcome to THR.
Miroku is sold in the States under the Browning trade name. Specifically, it's the Browning Citori.
I can't say exactly what weight would be too heavy, but many target shooters shoot Brownings that weigh well over 8 pounds and some prefer closer to 10 pounds for a target gun. In a Over/Under, I prefer about 9 pounds.
A shooter quickly becomes accustomed to the weight of a heavier gun. For the Browning (Miroku), I would suggest 30" barrels. The 32" Brownings are just too nose heavy for most shooters.
If the stock is too long for you, I would suggest that you have a gunsmith trim it slightly shorter or perhaps just install a thinner recoil pad.
Welcome to THR.
Miroku is sold in the States under the Browning trade name. Specifically, it's the Browning Citori.
I can't say exactly what weight would be too heavy, but many target shooters shoot Brownings that weigh well over 8 pounds and some prefer closer to 10 pounds for a target gun. In a Over/Under, I prefer about 9 pounds.
A shooter quickly becomes accustomed to the weight of a heavier gun. For the Browning (Miroku), I would suggest 30" barrels. The 32" Brownings are just too nose heavy for most shooters.
If the stock is too long for you, I would suggest that you have a gunsmith trim it slightly shorter or perhaps just install a thinner recoil pad.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Re weight.....
My B gun weighs just on 8 lbs, and I wouldn't want it any lighter.
My old 870TB ran close to 9 lbs.
My field guns run from 6 lbs, 2 oz to 7 lbs.
My HD 870 with all the bellsnwhistles runs close to 9 1/2 lbs loaded with 10 rounds.
Shotguns that get shot lots should have a bit more weight. Some trapshooters prefer guns running over 10 lbs.
I wouldn't want a clays gun under 8 lbs, but YMMV.
My B gun weighs just on 8 lbs, and I wouldn't want it any lighter.
My old 870TB ran close to 9 lbs.
My field guns run from 6 lbs, 2 oz to 7 lbs.
My HD 870 with all the bellsnwhistles runs close to 9 1/2 lbs loaded with 10 rounds.
Shotguns that get shot lots should have a bit more weight. Some trapshooters prefer guns running over 10 lbs.
I wouldn't want a clays gun under 8 lbs, but YMMV.
MCgunner
Member
It sorta depends on the game, too. Geese and ducks, heavyish is good. Those early morning teal can screw you up, but in general for handling heavy magnum loads. Upland game like quail, even dove, good balance and a quick, light gun are my desires. But, again, I'm no expert, just a redneck that lives down the street from a Holiday Inn.
Calliope
Member
Gun Fit is important to us girls anyway
Hey there,
I spent the last year or so getting a Rem 1100 to the point where it fit me well. Got it in February with an outrageous field stock on it. (16in LOP) A new stock and recoil pad a month or so later and I went from shooting 13 and 14 on trap to shooting 17 and 18. This past month I got a barrel with an improved modified choke. I am now shooting 20-22 consistently. The gun is not the prettiest and the monte carlo stock is a replacement and not original Remington, but it fits me and it likes me.
Calli
p.s. And Dave McCracken showed me a lot of stuff when I first started.
Hey there,
I spent the last year or so getting a Rem 1100 to the point where it fit me well. Got it in February with an outrageous field stock on it. (16in LOP) A new stock and recoil pad a month or so later and I went from shooting 13 and 14 on trap to shooting 17 and 18. This past month I got a barrel with an improved modified choke. I am now shooting 20-22 consistently. The gun is not the prettiest and the monte carlo stock is a replacement and not original Remington, but it fits me and it likes me.
Calli
p.s. And Dave McCracken showed me a lot of stuff when I first started.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Good to see you posting, my friend. Good to hear the scores are coming up.
When you coming up this way again?
And thanks for the plug....
When you coming up this way again?
And thanks for the plug....
Congrats to Calli and Dave.
If your 1100 had a 16" LOP, it must have been modified by someone after it left the factory. All the 1100's that I'm aware of come with a LOP of about 14" to 14 1/4".
Glad that you got the stock to fit you better. Don't spend any big bucks yet on a "gold plated" stock, because you'll probably want some different dimensions after you've shot for about a year.
If your 1100 had a 16" LOP, it must have been modified by someone after it left the factory. All the 1100's that I'm aware of come with a LOP of about 14" to 14 1/4".
Glad that you got the stock to fit you better. Don't spend any big bucks yet on a "gold plated" stock, because you'll probably want some different dimensions after you've shot for about a year.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Pete, I believe Calli said prior owner of the 1100 was long and lanky. Calli's not.
Calliope
Member
The previous owner of the gun sold it because he said it didn't shoot as well as his Ljutic. After watching him attempt to shoot one round with it, we didn't tell him he couldn't shoot it cause it was just too dang long. His loss was my gain for sure.
The stock had been modified with a 1 1/2 inch spacer plus the pad. Fixed that with a little help from Frank at Gander Mountain in Salisbury MD.
I really have not given Dave enough credit for what he did for me. He believed in me when others didn't and has the patience of Job. I would highly recommend any new shooter spending some time with Dave to soak up his wisdom and advice.
Dave, I had to go back to a real job so I can't knick out on fridays during the day, but I do intend to start going to PG on tuesday late afternoons soon and perhaps a saturday or two as soon as I get through the next couple weekends. Let me know if you plan to be out sometime! OH OH OH I almost forgot!! I went sporting clays shooting at Pintail Point and LOVED IT! I only got 21 out of 50, but hey it was my first time! lol I would love to go again sometime. Let me know if you are going to PG for SC's anytime soon.
Calli
The stock had been modified with a 1 1/2 inch spacer plus the pad. Fixed that with a little help from Frank at Gander Mountain in Salisbury MD.
I really have not given Dave enough credit for what he did for me. He believed in me when others didn't and has the patience of Job. I would highly recommend any new shooter spending some time with Dave to soak up his wisdom and advice.
Dave, I had to go back to a real job so I can't knick out on fridays during the day, but I do intend to start going to PG on tuesday late afternoons soon and perhaps a saturday or two as soon as I get through the next couple weekends. Let me know if you plan to be out sometime! OH OH OH I almost forgot!! I went sporting clays shooting at Pintail Point and LOVED IT! I only got 21 out of 50, but hey it was my first time! lol I would love to go again sometime. Let me know if you are going to PG for SC's anytime soon.
Calli
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Awww.....
I will be shooting SC sometime soon, but probably on a Friday. Let me know when you can get there on a Saturday, and maybe we can hook up.
I've shot at Pintail Point. Nice course, but not the easiest.
21/50 there is a good start....
I will be shooting SC sometime soon, but probably on a Friday. Let me know when you can get there on a Saturday, and maybe we can hook up.
I've shot at Pintail Point. Nice course, but not the easiest.
21/50 there is a good start....
Calliope
Member
Pintail Point
I might make a Friday sometime if I have enough notice to be able to take off. Although I won't have a Friday available before next month.
Pintail Point was nice, beautiful and probably more expensive than I can afford on a regular basis. We went through the first 7 or 8 stations. On the very first station I got 3 out of 4. On the station where all the birds come at you (forget if it was station 4 or 5) I got all 6. I caught one rabbit (by accident I am sure!) So all in all I felt pretty good about it and it was a load of fun!
Take care, hope to see you soon!
Calli
I might make a Friday sometime if I have enough notice to be able to take off. Although I won't have a Friday available before next month.
Pintail Point was nice, beautiful and probably more expensive than I can afford on a regular basis. We went through the first 7 or 8 stations. On the very first station I got 3 out of 4. On the station where all the birds come at you (forget if it was station 4 or 5) I got all 6. I caught one rabbit (by accident I am sure!) So all in all I felt pretty good about it and it was a load of fun!
Take care, hope to see you soon!
Calli
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
It's been a few years since I shot there, Calli. I do recall the 5 stand had some "Interesting" targets.
It's not cheap. It is a good course.
Let me know which Friday....
It's not cheap. It is a good course.
Let me know which Friday....
OK...this adresses my next issue. I am new to shotgunnuning. I will be purchasing a shotgun that I have already chosen in the near future. I've heard lots on "fit", but I've never fired a round. Since I haven't developed form, length of pull and all that verbage. Do I get the gun dealers to try and fit the gun to me when I receive my gun or wait till my 'form' develops then get it to 'fit'??? I only 'plan' on getting one gun ever so I wouldn't want to screw it up.
Any advice, recommendations, input is welcomed and appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Any advice, recommendations, input is welcomed and appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
First, PlayMaker, how close are you to MD?
Second, fit will depend on a consistent form, so get it close now then tweak it when your form gels.
Third, you may be planning on just one shotgun but they do tend to multiply.....
Second, fit will depend on a consistent form, so get it close now then tweak it when your form gels.
Third, you may be planning on just one shotgun but they do tend to multiply.....
Not very, I live in the Twin Cities in MN. I heard lot's of people who own a good collection and never really shoot them. Not that there's anything wrong with that but I'm a more practical person and I wouldn't want to have a collection just lying around. The reason I love shotguns in the first place is for it's versatility, and I wouldn't be living up to that if I had a different gun for a different situation. I want to be a purist-one gun for every situation-like if I had to choose just one gun you know. If I'd ever get another I'd probably be for my children.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Bummer. If you were closer I could show you the bennies of shotgun polygamy.
And I do NOT have a collection. All of these are used.
Some often....
And I do NOT have a collection. All of these are used.
Some often....
Thanks for the offer Mr. McCracken. If I were closer I would take you up on that. I may not yet know much about something like shotgunning but I know when I get good advice. I've been paying much attention to your post lately and I like what you, lee lapin and some other guys I forget to name have to say about shotguns.
scythefwd
Member
I have a question on fit. I understand that getting a good fit for your rifle is very important, and expect the same goes for a shotgun (I use mine basically as a .54 cal rifle, it only shoots sabots out of a rifled barrel). I only have about 50 rds out of a shotgun in my life but 10 of thousands of rounds out of rifles. Would the fit of a shotgun be similar or the same as the fit of a rifle? To me they seem like they should be the same as it would be easier to use the same motion instead of learning a whole second motion for shouldering. Am I correct?
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Thanks, PM. Nice to know we make a difference here.
Scythe, when I use my slug shooter 870s, the standard stocks work very well.
When I wingshoot, I need another inch of length and some extra drop.
And, one of my favorite 870s, here known as Frankenstein, has a standard length stock because it oft is used while I wear polypro undies, lots of wool and a four layer goose parka. Clothing has to be taken into account for adjustments for fit.
To get used to a given stock, practice mounts at home and get plenty of range time.
Regular exercise means healthy shotguns.
Scythe, when I use my slug shooter 870s, the standard stocks work very well.
When I wingshoot, I need another inch of length and some extra drop.
And, one of my favorite 870s, here known as Frankenstein, has a standard length stock because it oft is used while I wear polypro undies, lots of wool and a four layer goose parka. Clothing has to be taken into account for adjustments for fit.
To get used to a given stock, practice mounts at home and get plenty of range time.
Regular exercise means healthy shotguns.
scythefwd
Member
Dave,
I have already cut .5 inches off my stock for a more comfortable feel to me. I haven't shot it since, but I intend to on the 31st. I just made it feel more like my rifles fit and was wondering if that was a good idea or if I need it to be different (there has got to be someone that uses both shotguns and rifles that can say how the firing position and fit correlates between the two).
I have already cut .5 inches off my stock for a more comfortable feel to me. I haven't shot it since, but I intend to on the 31st. I just made it feel more like my rifles fit and was wondering if that was a good idea or if I need it to be different (there has got to be someone that uses both shotguns and rifles that can say how the firing position and fit correlates between the two).
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Good idea,maybe not.
I've got fairtomiddlin' experience with rifles also. A standard rifle stock with its 13" pull works for me, but I need 15" LOP on a shotgun used on flying stuff.
Don't get me wrong, I still hit lots of things, even with a 13" Youth model. But I do my best work with more lumber.
Most folks experience mirrors mine, IME.
And a good pad is a great investment..
I've got fairtomiddlin' experience with rifles also. A standard rifle stock with its 13" pull works for me, but I need 15" LOP on a shotgun used on flying stuff.
Don't get me wrong, I still hit lots of things, even with a 13" Youth model. But I do my best work with more lumber.
Most folks experience mirrors mine, IME.
And a good pad is a great investment..
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