English style gun stock...

A SxS bird gun is the most aesthetically pleasing when equipped with an English stock (and a splinter forend). However, such design attraction is only in the eyes of the beholder. The straight grip does offer an edge albeit a slight one when it comes to shifting between triggers. It does also facilitate ease of readiness carry and instinctive shooting but this is probably more an individual thing. I believe the best attribute of a straight grip is that it enables the shooter to comfortably/effectively attempt those straight overhead shots where necessary.
 
IF a gun with a straight grip is a perfect fit for the shooter, with the proper amount of cast, drop, pitch and length of pull, I believe they are a superior choice for upland bird hunting. More responsive, better for instinctive shooting.

But if the fit is a little off, there is no pistol grip to help the shooter get things in line. And I find that a pistol grip is better for deliberate shooting like pass shooting geese, and trap shooting. A pistol grip also helps control recoil from heavy waterfowl loads.

So I use pistol grips on my big waterfowl and trap guns, and straight grips on my slim light upland bird hunting doubles.
 
Agree with Longwalker and Claybuster but prefer all my guns to fit & balance to my liking .... which means lots of time patterning & adjusting. No other way to do it.
The straight grip I certainly find advantageous for upland work, but disagree about shifting your grip for the second trigger. Fit the gun so that the front trigger is comfortable then just move your finger to the back trigger. I don't have very large hands ... so find a fairly tight radius on a pistol grip, especially those with a palm swell, to feel better on target and waterfowl guns.
Too large or small a diameter in the wrist of the grip, no matter which type ... just doesn't feel right. FIT, in all areas, together with balance, once you get it right, makes a very substantial difference in your shooting.
 
beretta boy said:
... but disagree about shifting your grip for the second trigger. Fit the gun so that the front trigger is comfortable then just move your finger to the back trigger.
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I find it faster shifting your whole hand back rather than just moving your finger. I also find I get a nasty rap on the knuckle from the front trigger when moving only my trigger finger.
 
cjdawe said:
I know a little about it... for what its worth ,

A classic straight wrist or even the drawn out Prince of Wales style offer a better transition between the front and rear trigger of a double trigger gun ,but these styles like any other are something that has to fit the user or be fitted to him/her to realize its full potential.

An off the shelf shotgun is anticipated to fit the everyday Joe and they do that quite well in most cases ,we just pick up a certain shotgun and they feel fantastic ...but do it shoot like that ? not necessarily
I experimented for quite some time to find my perfect fit (helps that I do this for a living ) but my physical measurements and what I shoot well are two different things ,setting out for a day with measurements ,a try-stock ,shells and a pattern plate will tell the tale , other than it is luck of the draw .

A closed pistol grip is going to bunch up a larger hand ,but if its what a certain individual like's then it can be made to fit ,but to make the quick transition between front and rear triggers there has to be room for the hand to move /shift and nothing can be less obtrusive than the straight hand stock ,it is after all designed that way - for that purpose .

Hope that helped ,
Chris
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That is the BEST (most honest) stock fitting advice I have heard in a long time. Thanks!
 
Up until last summer, I had never shouldered an English style stock that fit me. They all felt awkward to me, and I didn't shoot them well at all. Then I shouldered a used 20 gauge AYA #2 that fit as if it was made for me, and I shoot it very well. I like the gun so much, that I ordered an identical gun in 28 gauge.
 
hoytcanon said:
A-5 of your "nightmares..."

Personally prefer the POW grips over straight grips... I find the lower wrist position gets me settled into position better... but I am a bigger galoot... need all the help I can get.
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I agree, for shotguns I prefer a POW grip, I also prefer SxS's dual triggers and extractors. But that's just me.
 
stubblejumper said:
Up until last summer, I had never shouldered an English style stock that fit me. They all felt awkward to me, and I didn't shoot them well at all. Then I shouldered a used 20 gauge AYA #2 that fit as if it was made for me, and I shoot it very well. I like the gun so much, that I ordered an identical gun in 28 gauge.
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO not another 28ga. Man you have the disease bad now also like I do :)
 
3macs1 said:
Ok so there is hope. I will keep an eye on you however to make sure 2 is not 22 in a couple of years ;)
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I have owned other 28 gauges in the past, but I am down to my sporting clays gun that I use for skeet, my 625 Feather three barrel set, and the AYA #2 that is on order. I have actually sold off most of my 12 gauges, and a few 20 gauges, so I have less shotguns now, than in recent years.
 
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