The ability to quickly raise your firearm and shoot accurately is critical and dependent on your firearm fitting properly. But, what factors determine your firearm’s fit and how does it apply to your specific rifle or shotgun?
Your rifle or shotgun stock/forearm performs several critical functions. It’s the seat or foundation for the firearm’s action, allows the shooter a grip for both hands, allows consistent trigger access, provides a bridge between the firearms action and the shooters shoulder, becomes a resting/positioning foundation for the shooters head and acts as a transfer mechanism for the recoil of the round allowing the shoulder to absorb the shock.
When you think about it, the stock is just as important and indispensable a part of the firearm as the action and barrel.
All stocks perform the above necessary functions. However, since human beings come in so many different shapes and sizes, most commercial stocks are compromises, fitting most adequately, few perfectly. Just how well does your stock fit you?
The single most important measurement is your stock’s length. A stock that’s too long hampers you in several ways. First, it is difficult to shoulder your firearm, the butt catching in your armpit as you raise it. When wearing heavy clothing the problem is only made worse.
A long stock forces your arms too far forward to comfortably shoulder the gun. This extended stretching motion forces your head out of position. With your arms too far forward, your head is forced upright and further back on the stock than it should be, unable to attain the slightly forward lean that positions the head directly behind and centered on the barrel and sights.
A gun that fits properly should mold itself into your upper body. This is difficult to explain, so let’s assume you are an experienced, right-handed hunter with a properly fitting rifle or shotgun.
A grouse flies up or a deer stops in front of you. The instant this happens you begin to mount the gun with your eyes fixed intently on the target, instinctively leaning forward, positioning your body at the best angle to the target. As your arms begin to raise the firearm, your right elbow moves upward as your head leans forward slightly. You’re forming a muscle memory shape the firearm will fit instantly into.
A photograph at this instant would show the hunter with his left foot a little ahead of the other, knees just bent, body leaning forward slightly. Your arms are raising the firearm and directing the barrel exactly toward the spot you’re looking.
Fully raised, the stock contacts the shooter’s shoulder pocket and cheek simultaneously; the head being perfectly aligned with the firearms barrel and target. With a rifle your eye will be directly behind the scope, the target centered in the field of view. The hunter is ready to fire; there’s no searching for the target when the firearm properly fits the trained shooter.
The eyes key your body, tracking the target and guiding your muscles, performing the miraculous, synchronized movement which brings the firearm up ready to fire.
What takes place here is beautiful; the head moving to its proper position along with the shoulders and arms as they form a perfect pocket for the firearm; a triangle formed by the hand gripping the forearm, the cheek on the stock, the butt of the gun against the shoulder. Your body has positioned your arms, head and shoulder into the exact form the firearm will fit into “before” the firearm actually is in the fully raised position. After much practice you automatically form that triangle as the gun is rising, locking onto the target in one smooth motion.
However, if the stock is too long or short for you, this reflex-like motion cannot take place properly. An old rule of thumb was to hold the firearm’s stock in the crook of your arm, the butt against your bicep at the elbow, your forearm and hand reaching forward to the trigger. If your trigger finger rested on the trigger with the first joint bent, your stock fit you. Generally true, a good starting point.
Practice raising your unloaded rifle or shotgun. If the butt catches below your armpit, the stock’s too long. If your thumb is touching your nose, your face far forward on the stock, it’s too short.
If the stock is long and the recoil pad is a thick one, buy a thin pad and replace it. If you believe your stock is too short, your thumb hits your nose during recoil or your scope smacks your forehead, purchase a thicker or slip-on recoil pad lengthening your stock. Practice a few times with it, shoot a few rounds and you will discover your answers. If you want a little guidance, always a good idea, any proficient shotgun shooter can help you properly mount the gun and determine your firearms fit.
Your stock’s other dimensions, drop, cheek piece, cast off are also worth considering but beyond the scope of this article.
Remember, like favorite boots, your firearm needs to be comfortable and fit you properly! Good shooting.
