How much is too much DAH?

[David Livesay]

What's the largest Drop at heel measurement that you have seen on a Parker Bros. shotgun? How much is too much? What is considered undesirable DAH measurement that would be a deal breaker.

[Dean H Hanson]

I have seen over 4". Typically 2 3/4"is about a reasonable limit. Anything over 3" and I am out. Of course, these are all subjective. To each there own.

[Drew Hause]

Parker Order Book No. 20 documents a D Grade Top Action Hammergun SN 47735 ordered May 17, 1886 by A.W duBray; 32” barrels with PG; LOP 14”; with 2 1/4” DAC and 4” DAH!

OTOH in 1887, Parker Representative W.S. Perry ordered a C Grade 10g with a LOP of 14 3/8" and DAC 1 1/4” X DAH 2”

Scroll down a bit more than 1/2 way here for a list of Parker dimensions in 1901
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c7UkkNyMTZ9NAztILpzjSLKvgIneAw5i7eqkZ3d3Eno/edit?tab=t.0

Optimal dimensions are highly related to one's shooting style; crawling the stock vs. head erect vs. head well off the comb

https://photos.smugmug.com/Shooting/Shooting/i-BwLGksw/0/L3Dvs6TGD9PDCGfGnrfFcX4sbd3nmQfQGLqzMqpT8/S/M%2010%20British-S.jpg (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/Shooting/Shooting/i-BwLGksw/A)

DAH probably doesn't matter for this fella crawling the stock

https://photos.smugmug.com/Shooting/Shooting/i-6wVNbHd/0/Kfqpmd6HSHgx9qbQtvjD7WW59vMS4NBs4cLDQCxcV/S/Sept.%2029%2C%201906%20Forest%20and%20Stream-S.jpg (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/Shooting/Shooting/i-6wVNbHd/A)

[John Davis]

It’s truly a personal preference and depends on your build. But for me, anything more than a 2 1/2 inch drop at the heel isn’t going to make a good shooter. Drop at the comb may actually be even more important. And I prefer something around 1 1/2 inches.

[David Livesay]

The main reason I asked is because there is a G grade gun for sale that says the DAH is 4 inches, but it may be available for around $300

[James L. Martin]

For hunting I like 1 1/2 @ comb ,2 5/8 @ heal. Max 2 7/8. For clays much higher.

[Phil Yearout]

I think 2-3/4" is my max, but you know, I probably have guns that are all over the map and don't think much about it. I do try to avoid the dog legs though.

[Tracy Pellett]

My advice to anyone looking to buy a shotgun to shoot, is get a professional to determine your shooting dimensions.

[Jerry Harlow]

If one is in a turkey blind shooting at a target that is standing still, a lot of drop keeps one from having the toe of the stock up on the top of the shoulder as one aims straight down the rib at its head. So it matters what the gun is used for. Also, the taller one is requires more drop in my experience.

[Dave Noreen]

From October 1909 --

138103

138104

138105

138106

138107

Another approach, the Monte Carlo stocks on Lon B. Smith's Ithaca NID trap guns --

138108

[Stan Hillis]

For me 3" is the absolute max, and 2 5/8" to 2 3/4" is best.

That said, I'd rather have one with too much than with too little. Too little DAH/DAC makes you shoot high, and I refuse to float a bird over the muzzles just to get to shoot a particular gun.

It's easy to add a stick-on leather or moleskin pad at the comb to reduce the drop there, on a gun with excessive DAC/DAH. Not so easy to remove wood on one that has too little drop.

[Mike Koneski]

Stan, it is easy to remove wood from a stock that has too little drop. I’d buy that gun, but I don’t want a gun with 2 3/4” DAH or more. Been there. Tried the stick on comb pads and they were not consistent for me.

That said, if you really like a gun with too much drop, instead of an expensive restock, put an adjustable comb on it. If it’s not on a higher grade “collector” gun, why not? The gun has to fit to shoot well.

[Andrew Sacco]

For me I use 1 1/2" and 2 5/8" I can't tell you how many Parkers I would own if they didn't have so much drop. My bank account thanks them for that. But I can accommodate a little by holding my fore end hand further down the barrel for some droppy guns.

[GunnerGrilli]

I have a Parker Lifter has a little over 5" DAH.........................


It's called the "Giraffe Gun" :):)

[Bill Murphy]

I have a DH eight gauge, 36" Titanic Steel gun with 4 1/4" drop at heel. I have no idea whether I can shoot this gun well, but I don't care. I just like it. It was ordered that way.

[Phil Yearout]

I have a Parker Lifter has a little over 5" DAH.........................


It's called the "Giraffe Gun" :):)

I'd like to see a pic of that hockey stick! I'd ask Bill for a pic of his too but I know that ain't gonna happen!

[GunnerGrilli]

I have a DH eight gauge, 36" Titanic Steel gun with 4 1/4" drop at heel. I have no idea whether I can shoot this gun well, but I don't care. I just like it. It was ordered that way.



Bill, I'll shoot your gun for you.....................:bigbye:

[CraigThompson]

I had an 8 gauge hammer gun that if my memories correct was 2” at the comb and 3 3/4” at the heel . That unto itself was bad enough but that gun weighed 15 pounds 14 ounces on my postal scales . That thing was a brute to shoot well for me atleast . Personally I’d like to keep the heal at 2 3/4” or hopefully less . However with electrical tape spacers and Velcro I can fix it enough to shoot it okay !

[Stan Hillis]

Not so easy to remove wood on one that has too little drop.

Stan, it is easy to remove wood from a stock that has too little drop.

I didn't state my sentiments properly, above. My apology offered.

While I agree it is easy enough to rasp/sand off wood to get the DAC you want, once done it can't be put back original and will render a gun of lesser value. There aren't many like you, Mike, who wouldn't devalue a vintage gun with the original stock rasped away at the comb and/or heel.

If I was a one-gun man I'd not hesitate to make a high shooting gun fit me and shoot closer to flat. But alas, I'm not, and am very reticent to rasp away at the comb of a nice vintage double, preferring rather to move it along and find one more suited to my anatomy and shooting style.