Good advice, the only way to know if a shotgun fits you is to shoulder it.Close your eyes, shoulder it, open your eyes without moving the gun. If the rib is centered, and it is flat, the gun fits you. If the gun has a mid bead, it should touch or partially overlap the front bead. A shotgun is pointed, not aimed, so fit is very important. Don't add a silly Hi Viz bead, they are just a distraction. You should be concentrating on the target, not the beads when wingshooting.
First pump action shotgun.
- Thread starter Mattkov
- Start date
Good advice, the only way to know if a shotgun fits you is to shoulder it.Close your eyes, shoulder it, open your eyes without moving the gun. If the rib is centered, and it is flat, the gun fits you. If the gun has a mid bead, it should touch or partially overlap the front bead. A shotgun is pointed, not aimed, so fit is very important. Don't add a silly Hi Viz bead, they are just a distraction. You should be concentrating on the target, not the beads when wingshooting.
A good shop will help advise on the fit. It's what feels comfortable and points well for you and your body/arms/head/etc... Pick a light in the ceiling out...close eyes...bring up the gun to aim...open eyes. refer to the advice on how things line up.
Take note of where the safety is and where the slide/action releases are on the different models. Some prefer one location over the other. Again...go with what feels natural even if you don't get to push them, move your hands and figures to where they'll be. If it feels awkward, it'll bug you forever.
Also...if you really want iron sights (ghost ring, fiber, etc,,,)...the sort of combat tactical thing....then get a model with them already installed. It's possible to have it done afterwards, but it can be expensive and a PITA.
Whichever style/make/model you buy...buy enough dummy rounds to load it twice...'cause you know you're going to want to do the load cycle load cycle thing when you get it home.
Take note of where the safety is and where the slide/action releases are on the different models. Some prefer one location over the other. Again...go with what feels natural even if you don't get to push them, move your hands and figures to where they'll be. If it feels awkward, it'll bug you forever.
Also...if you really want iron sights (ghost ring, fiber, etc,,,)...the sort of combat tactical thing....then get a model with them already installed. It's possible to have it done afterwards, but it can be expensive and a PITA.
Whichever style/make/model you buy...buy enough dummy rounds to load it twice...'cause you know you're going to want to do the load cycle load cycle thing when you get it home.
My choice would be used old school quality. Probably a Wingmaster, BPS, or the longest continually produced and sold pump action on the market today, an Ithaca model 37. In fact I'm currently looking forward to the arrival of another recently purchased Ithaca in the next week or two. I also admit to liking walnut stocks and blued metal ... but of course, I am a Fudd.
Seriously, get what you think will make you happy. If it doesn't work out, sell it and buy something else ... luckily, your just going to own it, not marry it.
Seriously, get what you think will make you happy. If it doesn't work out, sell it and buy something else ... luckily, your just going to own it, not marry it.
