I am new to guns and am looking to get a shotgun . I was out with my son yesterday , trying out his new Stoeger 3500 semi auto . Nice gun , but the stock was too long for me . I lift weights and have short arms and really big shoulders . When shouldering the gun I had a hard time reaching the trigger . Just wondering if anyone could suggest a shotgun with a short stock . Unfortunately there are not many gun shops near me so it's going to be hard to actually get to shoulder very many models . I may have to order online . Thanks in advance .
Help ! I have short arms .
- Thread starter pghenderson
- Start date
Browning makes a pump, They call it a micro which means youth model. The stock is one inch shorter, but their barrels are shorter too. They are available in 20ga only. Mossberg makes a 12ga with a tactical stock thats adjustable to shorter lengths too. Good luck
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What kind of shooting will you primarily be using this shotgun for? As per above, there are various so called 'youth' models that are typically 1" shorter in length of pull.
If you are dead set on a particular model of shotgun, it is not uncommon to have the stock cut to the right LOP to suit the shooter. In the case of a common shotgun like a Rem 870, it is just easier to get a youth or tactical model that either has a shorter or adjustable stock for LOP.
If you are dead set on a particular model of shotgun, it is not uncommon to have the stock cut to the right LOP to suit the shooter. In the case of a common shotgun like a Rem 870, it is just easier to get a youth or tactical model that either has a shorter or adjustable stock for LOP.
You could have a gunsmith fit you with the gun you want. The good thing is, you realize that the average gun won't fit you. When you do get one that does fit you, you will shoot better because of it!
So, try some of the shorter LOP (length of pull) shotguns, & see if that works. If not, see a good smith!
Cheers
Jay
So, try some of the shorter LOP (length of pull) shotguns, & see if that works. If not, see a good smith!
Cheers
Jay
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Find a gun you like, then pay a gunsmith to cut the stock to fit you. You get the gun you want, with an optimal fit, and the gunsmith gets to eat for another day. The thicker your arms and shoulders are the shorter the LOP must be, which can become a problem with autoloaders. Almost all of them have a mainspring housing that extends back into the butt-stock. If your LOP has to be much shorter than 12.5" that housing might be longer than the stock has to be. Most folks can get by with LOPs between 13"-13.5", but I cut an auto loader down for a local guy here who is both quite short and exceptionally muscular and even 12" was a bit long for him, but nothing like the 14" factory LOP.
I too lack spider monkey arms so all my shotguns except my Parker have been shortened to 13" to fit me. As mentioned autos can be difficult, in fact for my Beretta 303 i had to machine the nut for the recoil spring to get the length I needed. Getting a professional job done on the stock allows you to adjust other stock dimensions like pitch and cast as well for a top notch fit.
In general I've found that Remington and Browning semis and pumps have a shorter factory length of pull than Berettas and Benelli's. Unless you buy a shorter stock a wood stock will be more easily altered than synthetic. The other factors of gun fit are drop and cast. If you can find a model you like that comes with a shim kit for where the buttstock meets the receiver you can adjust the drop and cast for the best fit.
- Location
- London Ontario
beat me to it.
I have kind of the opposite problem- most standard guns are too short for me. Fortunately, it's easier to lengthen than shorten a gun. Good fit is king, best of luck finding the right one.
And, welcome to the forum!
synthetic stock
I had a Binelli synthetic and you could just pull the recoil pad out and stick a shorter one in. It was very slick. But if the pad was screwed in like a wood stock you want to be careful cutting it off in case there was no way of screwing the pad back on because alot of synthetic stocks are hollow.
Sorry to hijack the thread here, but I have a relevant question
Can a synthetic stock be shortened? Or wood only?
I had a Binelli synthetic and you could just pull the recoil pad out and stick a shorter one in. It was very slick. But if the pad was screwed in like a wood stock you want to be careful cutting it off in case there was no way of screwing the pad back on because alot of synthetic stocks are hollow.
not trying to hijack thread but im looking for this exact gun in the 12 g version for my wife, does anyone know who has one in stock.
called all the local shops and none of them have it with an ETA of over 1 year.
You will need the services of a gunsmith who knows how to fit a stock. A Youth or Ladies model still won't be appropriate. Like you said, you have more issues to fit than just length of pull.
Iloverifles
Regular
- Location
- Far from Justin
Sorry to hijack the thread here, but I have a relevant question
Can a synthetic stock be shortened? Or wood only?
Here in Quebec City, the gunsmith at Latulippe shortens certain polymer stocks, but its not possible with all plastic stocks.
BTW, I got short arms too (and a big head!), so I simply buy wood stocked guns and cut about 1" off myself. Gotta be careful! Then I fit a niiiice sooooffft recoil pad. Also did so with my deer rifle, a Winchester 70. I have excellent results.
