Posted on 02/06/2017 11:12:30 AM PST by w1n1
The once-special fitting process is documented in this great old 1956 video.
Most of us when buying a shotgun these days, would just shoulder one at the gun counter and decide if we like it. This incorrect way of buying a shotgun has cost us many missed shots and the feeling of buyers remorse after the fact.
The correct way (the lost art of custom fitting) is to have a master shotgun fit the shooter with a special adjustable stocked shotgun. With his trained eye this gunsmith would measure what the fit should be. This method provided a quick way to fit and works real well.
With the old skills of the past quickly disappearing we must research past methods on how to correctly buy a shotgun that fits us well.
Another popular method back in the day was to test a gun for size by altering the angle of the stock in relation to the barrel. The gunsmith uses an adjustable gun issued only for fitting customers.
The gunsmith feels that the human eye is more accurate than a machine. In the end custom fitting helps the shooter gain a fuller game bag. See this vintage video on fitting the shotgun here. Anyone remember any of this back in the day in the U.S.?
So THAT’S why I missed all those times!...It was the gun and not me...
I have a Remington 870 tactical. I have it loaded with #4 shot. When I pull the trigger it goes boom. Always. And while the article is interesting and I thank you for posting it, I myself could not be happier.
It makes sense. A six foot three shooter and a five foot two shooter do not have the same arm lengths or shoulder positions relative to the eyes. We all have had to settle for off-the-shelf gunstocks as supplied by the mfr. Any ‘variable’ stocks out there?..............
I wonder if we could use 3d scanners and 3d printing technology to make the custom stock nowadays? Just because the machines they used then were not as accurate as the human eye does not mean the machines we could use nowadays wouldn’t be.
http://www.targetshotguns.com/product/precision-fit-stocks-fully-adjustable-10545.htm
Only 1300 bucks.
We messed up buying our handguns...nobody suggested it should fit our hands. Too small for hubby n my trigger is real tight. Only at class did we find out what we didn’t know...
Yep, I knew I was the best shot on the planet, it was that dang gun!
Works great, as long as it’s the stock that needs fitted.
I had a devil of a time finding a shotgun I liked, because my hands are small. Salesmen kept trying to push me toward shorter and shorter stocks, some so short that I felt like I was playing with a toy popgun. But they wouldn’t listen when I told them it was the grip that was too big!
I must have handled almost 200 shotguns before I found one with a small enough grip.
http://www.fieldsportltd.com/customgunfitting/gunfitting.php
(But I can't afford one...)
Where exactly are they fitting that shotgun?
Whatever.
Guns, like shoes, fit most people.
It does not sound like the sale people you dealt with had a very good understanding of their product.
Field Sport in MI still fits shotguns.
Yeah, I want to go there or somewhere and get a custom fitting. But pricey.
For home defense...no fitting needed on a pistol grip Mossberg 12 ga 20 in barrel fitted with laser, loaded with OO, 2 1/4 inch (9 pellets). Bad guys coming through the front door don't like the red dot on their chest...especially if they hear the rack (but don't give them that opportunity, keep one in the chamber) ...
Laser also has a blinding light, with or w/o strobe, Laser and Strobe can be used together.
I have never been “fitted” to a shotgun and I have MANY trophies, ribbons awards etc. for shooting contests...and many many deer from Wisconsin forests.....
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