lengthen pull for taller shooters

[waterhouse]

I've understood for a while that shotgun fit was important, but for me it was more about where the stock hit my cheek. Being a very average 5'10" guy, all guns "fit" my body pretty well, it's just that some have receivers and stock shapes that tend to line up better with my cheek and eye.

I was visiting some family this weekend and noticed my 6'6" uncle looked pretty awkward shooting his Beretta Xtrema. He had the largest spacers in place on the stock but it still looked like the stock needed to be longer.

He is pretty well off, and not afraid to spend money on a nice new gun if need be.

Any ideas on a shotgun make/model for taller folks, or a good slip on pad that adds a bit of length, or any other ideas?

 

[DaleCooper51]

Gracoil recoil reduction will add length to the stock, but weigh a bit and might throw off the balance of the gun.

Another option is to use Plexiglas as a spacer or maybe have a custom stock built with the correct length of pull. Depending on the gun, it may not be worth it to spend for a custom stock. A slip on recoil pad would also add some more length.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Pachmyer makes some nice slipons in sundry sizes.

However, your tall uncle will benefit most from getting a shotgun fitting and having a stock made for him. Wenig, Rich Cole,etc provide the services. Not cheap, nothing better.

 

[kenno]

I think proper shotgun fit is at least as vital as rifle stock fit, I had a good friend 6'6" tall, a Navy Top Gun type from Korea, old money. He'd buy a Safari Grade, junk the stock and get one 3.75" longer; he knew the value of ergonomics. I tried to shoot his Browning 30-06 once and could barely keep it on paper! Say a prayer for him, he flew into a mountain, wife and 2 daughters.

 

[reckless carolinian]

I've often wondered about this myself. I'm 6'7", and both my Mossberg and 37 have 14" LOP. The 500 feels like it's right up in my face, like a hard recoil is going to send my right thumb straight into my nose. Haven't run many rounds through the Ithaca, but it feels about the same.

 

[hoghunting]

I have a 6' 7" hunting buddy with the same problem. He needed 3" added to his stock. Since I couldn't match the walnut, I made a 2" walnut spacer and ran the grain perpendicular to the stock for accent. I drilled holes in the center of the spacer to reduce weight then fitted a 1" recoil pad. Now he can shoot a shotgun that finally fits him.

 

[huntsman]

I've often wondered about this myself. I'm 6'7", and both my Mossberg and 37 have 14" LOP.

How long are your arms? I’m only 6’ but take a 37” sleeve so 14” is too short 14-1/2” to 15” works for me, on field guns a little short is better than too long.

 

[desidog]

I’m only 6’ but take a 37” sleeve

Wow, same height, but you've got 4" reach on me. So no fisticuffs with you....


IIRC, You can roughly surmise your proper length of pull by bending your elbow 90 degrees with the gun butt against your bicep - with hand extended the trigger should be at about the first joint on your trigger/index finger.

 

[UKShooter]

I have the same issue. I'm 6ft 4 and more than once have hit my nose with my thum shooting slugs from my Benelli Supernova :-/ I really should get it sorted at some point.

 

[oneounceload]

IIRC, You can roughly surmise your proper length of pull by bending your elbow 90 degrees with the gun butt against your bicep - with hand extended the trigger should be at about the first joint on your trigger/index finger.

Not exactly - that is a VERY rough estimate. There's more to proper stock fit than the LOP. Drop at heel, drop at comb, toe in or out, cast, pitch, etc. all play a role. If you're not the "standard/normal" size, then those factors need some consideration for a good fit

 

[Jon_Snow]

Personally, I find it easier to size by the "2 inches from nose to right thumb" method. I'm 6'0", with 'normal' length arms, but I have a long neck and shoddy posture, so my head tends to fall farther forward on the comb than most, leading my to prefer a 15.5" LOP. But that's just for me. As oneounce said, it's really much more complex than one simple measurement.

 

[DeepSouth]

I am 6'6" and I shoot a Beretta Xtrema, it was a little short until I replaced the original recoil pad with a Limbsaver. It is about a inch longer than the stock one and it made it fit just right.

If he has an Xtrema 2 this might not work with the Kick-Off and all, I don't know. Just a $40 suggestion.

 

[RyanM]

Personally, I find it easier to size by the "2 inches from nose to right thumb" method. I'm 6'0", with 'normal' length arms, but I have a long neck and shoddy posture, so my head tends to fall farther forward on the comb than most, leading my to prefer a 15.5" LOP. But that's just for me. As oneounce said, it's really much more complex than one simple measurement.

2" nose to thumb is definitely the best way to fit, at least for sporting guns. For "tactical" shooting, I've heard of 6'7" behemoths running the same 11-12" stocks as everyone else.

 

[Southpaw 02]

Another tall guy chiming in here,I'm 6'6" and generally use a 14 to 15" LOP.

I have seen some others my size using a shorter LOP so I will echo what oneounceload said." its really more complex than one simple measurement"