Fitting a shotgun. an eye-opener and appreciation

Pahoo · October 28, 2020, 06:40 PM

A few months ago, I posted a thread about fitting a shotgun. I have an older Savage -311 and the length of pull was too long for me. In addition to correct the existing length, I wanted to add a recoil pad. So basically I requested some input as I was not up on the requirements of a shotgun. I got the usual great assist from our members and did some internet searches. What I found was all new to me and a real eye-opener as well as new respect. In short, I got more than was expected. I choose to share this video and hope you find it as informative as I did. ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkdRji7BTo0

Enjoy and;
Be Safe !!!

FITASC · October 28, 2020, 07:32 PM

There are plenty of good videos, but there is a lot more to correct fit than LOP; PITCH is very important, as is cast; plus drop at comb, drop at face, drop at heel

This is a 5 part series, each several minutes and covering a specific aspect:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQmWJzP_B4I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-22LX_krfGw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEf03XOSlOU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opAr0sn4Deg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOyiQ8JffZw

wild cat mccane · October 28, 2020, 08:28 PM

I have found what comes stock on stock shotguns isn't always great to begin with too.

darkgael · October 29, 2020, 04:53 AM

One of my presents to myself upon entering retirement was to have myself fitted for a shotgun. For that, I went to the Orvis Sandanona facility in Millbrook, NY.
The process was intriguing. A painted steel plate 16 yards away, and a marvelous contraption called a Try gun. Repeated firings at that plate....lift the gun, point, fire....along with some keen observation by the fitter. Changes to the configuration of the trygun until every shot was in the center of the plate (which was where I was looking).
The gun was a Guerini SXS.
I returned home with a set of measurements that have allowed me to make some meaningful adjustments to my guns. A biggie was, in fact, LOP. As it has turned out, virtually all commercial stocks are too short for my 15 1/4” LOP.

FITASC · October 29, 2020, 08:39 AM

I have seen try guns in SxS and O/U configurations. Amazing how they can dial in every aspect for a perfect fit.

Rob228 · October 30, 2020, 09:19 AM

Quote:

There are plenty of good videos, but there is a lot more to correct fit than LOP; PITCH is very important, as is cast; plus drop at comb, drop at face, drop at heel

When I first bought my A400 I started shooting trap, couldn't hit a thing. One of the kind gentlemen at the range told me that I was three feet low every time. Beretta is kind enough to include spacers that can adjust the pitch of the stock. Swapped them out and all of a sudden I could hit things. Still nowhere close to what a professional stock maker could do, but I would never have believed the pitch and drop of the stock could make such a big difference.

October 28, 2020, 06:40 PM	#1
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Fitting a shotgun. an eye-opener and appreciation A few months ago, I posted a thread about fitting a shotgun. I have an older Savage -311 and the length of pull was too long for me. In addition to correct the existing length, I wanted to add a recoil pad. So basically I requested some input as I was not up on the requirements of a shotgun. I got the usual great assist from our members and did some internet searches. What I found was all new to me and a real eye-opener as well as new respect. In short, I got more than was expected. I choose to share this video and hope you find it as informative as I did. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkdRji7BTo0 Enjoy and; Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

October 28, 2020, 07:32 PM	#2
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	There are plenty of good videos, but there is a lot more to correct fit than LOP; PITCH is very important, as is cast; plus drop at comb, drop at face, drop at heel This is a 5 part series, each several minutes and covering a specific aspect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQmWJzP_B4I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-22LX_krfGw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEf03XOSlOU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opAr0sn4Deg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOyiQ8JffZw __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

October 29, 2020, 04:53 AM	#4
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	One of my presents to myself upon entering retirement was to have myself fitted for a shotgun. For that, I went to the Orvis Sandanona facility in Millbrook, NY. The process was intriguing. A painted steel plate 16 yards away, and a marvelous contraption called a Try gun. Repeated firings at that plate....lift the gun, point, fire....along with some keen observation by the fitter. Changes to the configuration of the trygun until every shot was in the center of the plate (which was where I was looking). The gun was a Guerini SXS. I returned home with a set of measurements that have allowed me to make some meaningful adjustments to my guns. A biggie was, in fact, LOP. As it has turned out, virtually all commercial stocks are too short for my 15 1/4” LOP. __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

October 29, 2020, 08:39 AM	#5
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	I have seen try guns in SxS and O/U configurations. Amazing how they can dial in every aspect for a perfect fit. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

October 28, 2020, 08:28 PM	#3
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,626	I have found what comes stock on stock shotguns isn't always great to begin with too.