Shotgun fitters

I seen a couple guys at the club running PFS and one guy running a TSK stock.

One guy with the PFS stock on his shotty had wood made for the comb and also had a forend made to match.
 
There was a stockfitter/engraver/gunsmith in QC at one time by the name of Klaus Hiptmayer. I do believe his daughter took over his business a few years ago. I have never seen her work but I hear it is absolutely amazing. Her and her father were(are?) the only true stockfitters in Canada I have ever been aware of. Many of the fellows I shot trap with in Ontario used to go to see him to have stocks fitted, bent, made etc and the work was amazing. Someone may be able to point you to contact info for his daughter. Their work was by appointment only. You could also try Lemieux Armuriers in QC. I believe they can help you. Their work is certainly top notch!
 
Several years ago Karl, the Swiss guy, was playing with the concept of constructing a "fitting gun".

There is no doubt that Karl could construct a "fitting gun". And an excellent one as well.

Problem: Who knows how to operate a "fitting gun" properly in western canada?

How large is the market for fitting a gun?

And most important, be profitable from such a venture.
 
Prior to his retirement, Klaus operated his business about 20 minutes from where I live. He probably " fitted " 15-20 shotguns for me plus did a few shotgun and rifle stocks "from scratch". Now , I am reluctant to purchase any new to me shotguns with fixed buttstocks. I think that perhaps the best solution left for the op might be to have his shotgun stock fitted with an adjustable comb.
 
Falconflyer said:
I see there is some guys in Niagara Falls (On) doing custom stock work called Artisan Stock and Gunworks, they're also the Canadian distibuter for Zoli. Anyone know anything about them?
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Yes. I'm meeting Ethan tomorrow morning to fit the pattern blank for my F3. Seems very knowledgeable. I've seen some of his stunning work and the owner is very happy with the fit.
 
I met Ethan earlier this week and he spent quite a bit of time explaining the process of making custom stocks to me. He also showed me how they fit individual shooters to they’re guns. I looked at several prototype stocks they had made for customers to try before building the custom stock out of the customers choice of wood. Right now I’m kind of on the fence about a custom stock set as the factory stocks fit me pretty good but I’d like to see some of they’re completed work instead of just prototypes and see how the owners like them. The thing is that few shooters would bad mouth they’re stocks after paying several g notes for them!
 
Falconflyer said:
I met Ethan earlier this week and he spent quite a bit of time explaining the process of making custom stocks to me. He also showed me how they fit individual shooters to they’re guns. I looked at several prototype stocks they had made for customers to try before building the custom stock out of the customers choice of wood. Right now I’m kind of on the fence about a custom stock set as the factory stocks fit me pretty good but I’d like to see some of they’re completed work instead of just prototypes and see how the owners like them. The thing is that few shooters would bad mouth they’re stocks after paying several g notes for them!
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If a new custom stock does not work out, the owner will be quite candid. They also deserve a new one that does work out.
 
Falconflyer said:
I guess it can work both ways, either you blame your misses on the custom stock or you attribute a score increase to it!
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If you have done much shooting, you will know you have a bad stock in a hurry. Without counting misses or hits.

That is why the pattern stock process is so nice. By the time they are ready to make the final product, all the issues should be worked out. Not really an option if your custom stock is factory ordered from Italy for example. In that case, you are really hoping your fitter knows what he is doing. And in Canada, that level of expertise is hard to find.

Either way, if you commit to a custom stock, you and the builder better have clear expectations on the outcome.
 
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That’s why I’d like to see a few of these custom made stocks and talk to a few owners of them before committing to having one made. As I previously mentioned, my factory stock fits pretty good so I’m dubious seeing big benefits for myself after spending that much money! Some shooters will see big rewards but myself maybe not so much.
I’m fortunate that my build fits a lot of guns pretty good and I’ve done enough shooting and owned enough different shotguns to be able to figure out very quickly if I have any chance of shooting a gun well or not before I go to the range.
 
danny45 said:
I would like to modify an existing stock. I will forever miss Klaus. He did my skeet gun thirty years ago. But there is nobody like him in Canada.
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You could try Jason Spencer at Gunco in Ottawa.
Not sure of the modifications you need but he's done stock lengthening,shortening and pitch alterations for me,as well as trigger work.You can check his website for more info.
 
Falconflyer said:
That’s why I’d like to see a few of these custom made stocks and talk to a few owners of them before committing to having one made. As I previously mentioned, my factory stock fits pretty good so I’m dubious seeing big benefits for myself after spending that much money! Some shooters will see big rewards but myself maybe not so much.
I’m fortunate that my build fits a lot of guns pretty good and I’ve done enough shooting and owned enough different shotguns to be able to figure out very quickly if I have any chance of shooting a gun well or not before I go to the range.
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You are lucky. There is not an off the shelf gun out there that comes close to fitting me.
 
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