Shotgun Fitting Services: What to Expect and How They Help You

Fitting a Shotgun

A properly fitted shotgun, achieved through professional gun fitting, can dramatically improve your shooting accuracy, comfort, and confidence. Shotgun fitting services are designed to tailor your firearm to your body and shooting style, ensuring it feels natural and performs optimally. Whether you’re an avid hunter, a competitive shooter, or a beginner, professional fitting helps you get the most out of your shotgun.

This guide explains what shotgun fitting services entail, what you can expect during the process, and the benefits they provide for hunters and sport shooters.

Why Shotgun Fitting Is Important

• Improved Accuracy: A well-fitted shotgun aligns naturally with your body, ensuring your shots consistently hit their mark. Proper gun fit is crucial for effective shooting, impacting alignment and overall performance.

• Enhanced Comfort: Proper fit reduces strain and makes the shotgun easier to handle, especially during extended use.

• Reduced Recoil Impact: Customizing the fit distributes recoil more effectively, minimizing discomfort.

• Increased Confidence: Knowing your shotgun fits perfectly can boost your confidence and focus during shooting. Correct gun fit is a critical component of successful shotgun shooting, forming the foundational principles necessary for effective shooting.

What Happens During a Shotgun Fitting

Initial Consultation

The process begins with a discussion of your shooting style, goals, and preferences.

• Purpose of the Shotgun: The fitter will ask about your intended use, such as hunting, trap, skeet, or sporting clays.

• Physical Attributes: Your height, arm length, dominant eye, and shoulder dimensions are taken into account.

  • Own Gun: Using your own gun during the fitting process is crucial as it allows you to shoot more naturally compared to a try gun.

• Shooting Challenges: If you experience issues like misalignment or discomfort, these are addressed during the fitting.

Consistent Gun Mount Assessment

The fitter observes how you mount and handle the shotgun to identify areas for improvement.

• Natural Mount: You’ll be asked to mount the shotgun repeatedly to evaluate a consistent gun mount and alignment.

• Eye Alignment: The fitter checks if your dominant eye aligns properly with the rib or bead sight.

• Shoulder Pocket Fit: The shotgun’s butt should fit snugly in your shoulder pocket without gaps or discomfort, ensuring a comfortable gun mount.

Length of Pull Measurements

Precise measurements are taken to customize the shotgun’s dimensions to your body.

• Length of Pull (LOP): The distance from the trigger to the end of the stock is measured to ensure it matches your reach. Proper stock length is crucial for gun control, comfort, and accuracy.

• Drop at Comb and Heel: These measurements ensure proper alignment of your eye with the barrel’s sighting plane.

• Cast: The angle of the shotgun stock is adjusted to suit your dominant hand and eye alignment. Consulting a professional fitter can help find the optimal shotgun stock length for each shooter.

Testing and Adjustments

The fitter makes adjustments to the shotgun and has you test it in real-world scenarios.

• Try Before You Buy: Some services allow you to test-fit changes on a shooting range to ensure comfort and performance using a try gun.

• Incremental Tweaks: Adjustments are made gradually, allowing the fitter to fine-tune the fit for optimal results.

• Temporary Modifications: Stick-on pads or adjustable stock components may be used initially to test fit before permanent alterations.

• Pattern Plate Testing: A pattern plate is used during the testing phase to assess shot accuracy and gun fit, ensuring the shotgun shoots in relation to the intended target.

Final Modifications and Recoil Pad Adjustment

Once the ideal fit is determined, permanent modifications are made to the shotgun if necessary.

• Stock Adjustments: The stock may be lengthened, shortened, or reshaped to achieve the desired fit. Ensuring the gun fits the shooter properly is crucial for comfort and shooting performance.

• Recoil Pads and Spacers: Recoil pads can be added or replaced, and spacers can adjust the length of pull.

• Comb and Cast Changes: The comb height or cast angle may be adjusted using specialized tools or custom fittings.

• Drop Adjustments: Adjustments to the drop measurement are recommended to avoid too much drop, which can lead to improper eye alignment and poor shooting technique.

Benefits of Professional Shotgun Fitting

Tailored Performance

• A fitted shotgun aligns with your body’s natural mechanics, making shooting more intuitive and effective. Ensuring that the gun shoots to the same point of aim for different shooting scenarios is crucial for accuracy and comfort.

Increased Safety

• Proper fit ensures you handle the shotgun securely and confidently, reducing the risk of accidents. For new shooters, an improper fit can lead to discomfort and discouragement after just a few shots, potentially causing them to abandon the sport.

Long-Term Comfort

• A well-fitted shotgun minimizes strain on your arms, shoulders, and neck, especially during extended shooting sessions.

Versatility

• Custom fitting allows a single shotgun to be optimized for multiple uses, from hunting to competitive shooting. Proper fit ensures that the gun shoots where the shooter is looking, preventing issues like 'shoot high' in different shooting scenarios.

Preservation of Firearm Value

• Professional modifications are done with precision, preserving or even enhancing the value of your firearm.

What to Look for in a Shotgun Fitting Service

• Experienced Professionals: Choose a fitter with a strong reputation and proven expertise in shotgun customization.

• Comprehensive Services: Look for services that address all aspects of fit, including stock adjustments, recoil management, and alignment.

• On-Site Testing: Services that include access to a shooting range for testing and fine-tuning are ideal.

• Custom Solutions: A good fitter should tailor the shotgun to your needs, not rely on generic adjustments.

How to Prepare for a Shotgun Fitting

• Bring Your Shotgun: Bring the firearm you want fitted to ensure accurate measurements and adjustments.

• Wear Appropriate Clothing: Dress as you would for shooting, including a hunting jacket or shooting vest, to replicate real-world conditions.

• Be Open About Challenges: Share any issues you’ve encountered with your shotgun to help the fitter address them.

Conclusion

Shotgun fitting services are invaluable for improving accuracy, comfort, and overall performance. By tailoring your firearm to your body and shooting style, a professional fitter ensures your shotgun becomes a natural extension of you. Whether you’re an experienced shooter or just starting, investing in a custom fit enhances your shooting experience and maximizes the potential of your shotgun.

FAQs

What is shotgun fitting?

Shotgun fitting is the process of customizing a shotgun’s dimensions to match your body and shooting style, improving accuracy and comfort.

How do I know if my shotgun needs fitting?

If your shots consistently miss or you experience discomfort when shooting, it may indicate that your shotgun doesn’t fit properly.

Can all shotguns be fitted?

Most shotguns can be adjusted for fit through modifications to the stock, recoil pad, or cast angle. However, some models may have limitations.

How long does a shotgun fitting take?

The process typically takes a few hours, depending on the adjustments required. Complex modifications may take longer.

Is shotgun fitting worth the cost?

Yes, a properly fitted shotgun improves accuracy, comfort, and confidence, making it a worthwhile investment for hunters and sport shooters.