Shotgun fit

[Atavar]

I am hopefully getting a gun dog again soon so I did a little shopping looking at shotguns to update my old True Value pump.
Virtually everything I picked up felt like a youth stock that almost put my thumb in my armpit, and I pretty much had to lay my ear on my bicep to get a good line on the sight. Granted I was looking at sub $800 guns, but still.
Has shotgun fashion changed that much in the past few decades or am I just doing it wrong.
Some of the Turkish doubles were pretty, but heavy.

 

[kje54]

I am hopefully getting a gun dog again soon so I did a little shopping looking at shotguns to update my old True Value pump.
Virtually everything I picked up felt like a youth stock that almost put my thumb in my armpit, and I pretty much had to lay my ear on my bicep to get a good line on the sight. Granted I was looking at sub $800 guns, but still.
Has shotgun fashion changed that much in the past few decades or am I just doing it wrong.
Some of the Turkish doubles were pretty, but heavy.

Good luck, I'm just the opposite, I'm stretching to get the tip of my finger on most shotgun triggers.

 

[Random 8]

Speaking pump actions only as that's what you mentioned in the OP. I've found the CZ 612 pump to have a long, beefy stock, although the action is a bit clunky. The new made 870s fit me pretty well, and I'm a full sized guy. The fit really improves as you go back in time through the 1980s or earlier though. My personal favorite is an Ithaca M37 for light birds, the Browning BPS when waterfowl enters the menu. Absolutely nothing wrong with an 870 Wingmaster worn smooth from honest wear also. I doubt I will ever buy a new-made shotgun for hunting. The old ones are so well made and seem to have some intangible that the new one's lack. The lone exception IMHO is the new Rem 870. Fit and feel is the same as a 1970s bird gun...finish not so much. They don't make them like they used to (they do but they cost$$$$$). Unless you're getting into a $1500+ Italian autoloader, shop one of the vintage guns I mentioned. You should be able to find all of above in good working order under $800.

 

[Atavar]

Yeah, I am thinking of going to a double, either S/S or O/U. I don’t know that I have ever effectively used the third round (maybe for heavy dove hunts.)

 

[Cvans]

I don't know what your budget is but I ran into the same thing. I'm 6'2" and 235lbs. I purchased a nice used Stevens (?) 311 because I had one years ago a loved it. After the purchase I could not figure out how I ever shot it. Couldn't get my head down low enough to sight down the barrels. What a disappointment. I ended up with a Stoeger double and when I bring it up it fits.
Don't give up there's a gun out there that will work for you. Good luck.

 

[PapaG]

I'd need to see a picture of you shouldering a shotgun to have any clue at all about your fit problem. You have orangutan arms? Are you 6'6" like Chuck Connors? Are you picking up youth shotguns? Too many unanswered questions from your post. Basic shotgun dimensions haven't changed much in fifty years other than less drop at the comb.

 

[huntersdog]

Old school Remington 1100 in 20ga or 12ga. They last for ever other than a new seal, ring set and action spring once every 10 plus years (probably longer), pending of how much you shoot.

 

[MacAR]

I'm not a big man by any means, 6' and 240lbs, but a standard stocked model 12 Winchester fits me like a glove, and so does an A5 Browning. Matter of fact, I do most of my flying shooting with a Cutts compensated M12 in 12 gauge. That third shot isn't always needed but it's mighty nice to have, and the Cutts takes some of the kick out believe it or not.

Having said that, a good older double is a joy to hunt with, and I take the ones I have out every chance I get. The older guns have just the right amount of drop and cast to fit me. Most all of the newer guns don't fit me for beans; not near enough drop in the stocks.

Mac

 

[Savage30L]

I'm 5'11" and I've never found a factory stock that fit me well....I've measured myself for stock fit, and I need 15" of pull and 3" drop-at-heel for a really good fit. There has been a lot of consolidation in the firearms industry in the last few decades; now, Browning, Tikka, and some other firms all use the same template for stocks, which appear to have less pull and drop than they used to....which makes no sense, as people are taller now than in previous generations. I can add a slip-on pad (or some spacers, if there is already a pad) to older guns and get a (barely) acceptable fit, but the new models from most manufacturers are useless, as they now have only 2" to 2 1/4" of drop, and I can't possibly get my cheek down to the stock if I put the butt squarely into my shoulder. I'm glad I have a bunch of older shotguns....

 

[usaral63]

Heresy I know, but contrary to most I far prefer my shotgun stocks to mimic my rifles at 13.5...............I have tendency to climb the stock I know, but I can bust 25 straight with my H series A/5...............I have never understood the need for an overlength stock.

By the way, that old Browning sports a Poly........guess I'm just old fashioned, but if it works it ain't dumb!

 

[entropy]

Try holding your head up straighter. You're probably trying to get the (hopefully) right eye down on the rib, because most of us learned to shoot a shotgun that way. (Adapted from rifle) It is not necessary, and actually having the eye higher up give one the advantage of being able to see a rising target better. With the eye down on line with the rib, to hit a rising straightaway target, one must cover the target. This is why Trap specific shotguns often have high ribs on them. the rear of the rib is usually higher than the front, resulting in the Point Of Impact (POI) being higher. This is expressed as a percentage of the shot above vs. below the bead. A field gun usually shoots 50/50, that is half the shot above the bead, half below. Most Trap shooters prefer between 60/40 and 80/20, but some prefer all of the shot over the bead. In trap, you shoot at a rising clay pigeon. Skeet and Sporting Clays shooters prefer 60/40 usually. Their clays maybe flat as in Skeet, or going straight up, then down, as some Sporting Clays do. (Or rolling on the ground-rabbits, my favorite!)
There are four ways to increase POI on a shotgun. All 4 involve moving the rear sight (your eye) up. The least expensive is just holding your head up straight with the cheek higher. You'll see what's commonly called a 'Figure 8' or Snowman' if you have a center bead. In order to have repeatable hold, this must be the same everytime. The second method is an adjustable butt pad mount that can be slid up or down, and often adjusted for cant side to side. This costs @ $100- 200. The third method is an adjustable comb on the stock. This can be done on most shotguns, it costs @$500 with parts and labor. The fourth is a higher, and often adjustable, rib. Again, @ $500 or so to do. Some Trap shooters use all 4.

I'm 5'11" and I've never found a factory stock that fit me well....I've measured myself for stock fit, and I need 15" of pull and 3" drop-at-heel for a really good fit. There has been a lot of consolidation in the firearms industry in the last few decades; now, Browning, Tikka, and some other firms all use the same template for stocks, which appear to have less pull and drop than they used to....which makes no sense, as people are taller now than in previous generations. I can add a slip-on pad (or some spacers, if there is already a pad) to older guns and get a (barely) acceptable fit, but the new models from most manufacturers are useless, as they now have only 2" to 2 1/4" of drop, and I can't possibly get my cheek down to the stock if I put the butt squarely into my shoulder. I'm glad I have a bunch of older shotguns....

A Monte Carlo stock with a Morgan adjustable pad will get the height you need. Sadly, spacers are about the only solution for LOP.

 

[Savage30L]

I don't want an adjustable pad. I want a fixed butt that is in the right place.

 

[entropy]

Then find a good stock fitter with a try stock, and pony up for a custom made stock to the measurements they take. @ $300-500 for the measurements and plain wood, more as you go up in wood grade and type.

 

[Savage30L]

Then find a good stock fitter with a try stock, and pony up for a custom made stock to the measurements they take. @ $300-500 for the measurements and plain wood, more as you go up in wood grade and type.

I've wanted to do that for years, and already have the wood (great walnut I retrieved from our firewood nearly 50 years ago!) for at least 2 shotgun stocks....but there isn't a custom stockmaker anywhere near me, that I've been able to locate.

 

[entropy]

Macon stock works is one. You can send the wood and fitter's measurements to them:

Macon Gunstocks LLC

MADE IN THE USA

macongunstocks.com

This is the one I would recommend:

Wenig Custom Gunstocks

wenig.com

They specialize in shotgun stocks. I have seen many examples of their work over the years, it is always excellent.

 

[CoalTrain49]

I have that problem also. The shotgun that fits me the best is a 50 year old 870 with spacer to get a 14 1/2'' LOP. I've had plenty of sxs's and o/u's that didn't fit perfectly but were usable. I used to hunt birds with an old Beretta 426E that fit me pretty well. I recently bought a Rem 11-87 ( 30 years old) that fits except it needs more length.

Dimensions on newer stocks have changed considerably and you likely won't find one that fits. I've been looking for a new o/u to shoot clays with. None of the Berettas or Browning's fit very well. The combs are generally too high as I see too much rib. None of them come with any cast off like the older shotguns did.

So I may not buy one and just add some length to my 11-87 and roll with that. I don't really shoot enough targets to buy a $2500 gun and drop another five getting the stock just right.

I shoot trap occasionally at a private range. There they have two traps set up for different level shooters. Mostly the experienced shooters use one trap and shoot from 27 yds. Most all of them use guns set up to shoot trap. The other trap is used by the non-professional shooters as it was explained to me. I got a big laugh out of that. None of those guys can compete nationally. But anyway the folks who use that one are somewhere between 5 and 20 for score.

I found this video interesting.

Custom Shotgun Fitting with Del Whitman

Custom Shotgun Fitting with Del Whitman: When you shoot a shotgun, your eye is the rear sight. To get your eye consistently in the right alignment, a properl...

youtu.be

Del called Steve a chameleon and I think he was insulted.

 

[Gun-Reck]

I am hopefully getting a gun dog again soon so I did a little shopping looking at shotguns to update my old True Value pump.
Virtually everything I picked up felt like a youth stock that almost put my thumb in my armpit, and I pretty much had to lay my ear on my bicep to get a good line on the sight. Granted I was looking at sub $800 guns, but still.
Has shotgun fashion changed that much in the past few decades or am I just doing it wrong.
Some of the Turkish doubles were pretty, but heavy.

Have you mounted one of the new 870 FieldMasters?

They have a very nice fit and balance with the 26" barrel option.