Stock issue
 

I have a reproduction 12 gauge that I really like and bought for a general use gun. Has Briley chokes which in this situation doesn't concern me as it is not a collector gun and hopefully will be shot a lot in a few situations - field, swamp and clay birds. Thing is it shoots high. I've patterned it repeatedly with various pads etc and I get about 75/25, 80/20 high at varying distances. I have a few very knowledgable friends counseling me and their verdict for me is that I have a lovely trap gun or I need to bend the stock. I really want to get this gun to fit and shoot flat. I will be visiting a competent stock man with it. Was wondering just how much this will change the gun with bending of the wrist (straight no PG), bending the tang, disrupting the finish etc. I know value from what I paid is significantly diminished but I'll take my licks as it is still a lovely gun that I want to keep and shoot a lot. I did buy it and choke it for waterfowl and steel but like someone said here on another post " it kills at both ends." Wicked recoil. Live and learn.
Thanks

Eric,

You have 2 options. Either have the stock bent or have the comb shaved down to the correct drop for you.

Parker Repros professionally modified to suit an individual shooter usually lose no value if done right.

Jim Eyster at Heritage Gunshop can alter the point of impact by working on the barrels. He is famous for adjusting the POI and chokes on trap guns. He has done several SXS guns for me and all worked out perfectly. Hope this helps.

I had a custom stock on an LC Smith with straight grip bent by Steven Bertram 2-3 years ago. http://www.bertramandco.com/ (303) 938-1996

He did not mess the finish or bottom tang up in any way and the gun was bent to my dimensions. The price for a single bend was $250 plus HIS. He was able to determine if my stock was a good candidate for bending via some pictures I sent him.

Bend the stock. We live once. Get the gun to shoot where you want it to.
Yes, they are great guns. Yes, it won't be a trap gun. Bend it anyway.
When it shoots flat, shoot the bejesus out of it; love it, and let a non-shooting "collector" somewhere fuss about what you have done.
Life and shooting are a much too joyful experience to worry about.

Sam Ogle, Lincoln, NE.

I Agree Completely!
 

If it does not fit, it is of little value. I agree completely with the sentiments expressed above.

Sam and Bill,
Loud and clear on this one. It has to shoot and I want to keep it.
Eric

Sam is "spot on".

Update. Had Dan Morgan bend the stock. Got the skeet field open to shoot a few rounds. Boy it fits beautifully and I shot with confidence. I got what I wanted for - a go anywhere shoot anything kind of gun that's nice to carry and look at.

Eric, I have the same concern with my SS12 dac 1 3/8 st. stock shooting high. While it's okay for upland birds, for duck and geese over decoys, it's not. Obviously you were happy with how it shot, were you happy with the pitch and how it looks? Also, can you tell me whether Dan Morgan had to refinish the stock? If so, did he refinish the forend too? Any other details would be helpful as well. Many Thanks.........Jerry

Jerry,
I shot the gun twice now, on the skeet field as described and at barn pigeons with great success. At this point I am very satisfied. My observation is that a fraction of bend at the grip gave me the 1/8 to 1/4 I needed in the drop to correct the high pattern. I also could see no discernable disfiguration in the checkering etc and definitly no refinish needed on this piece of work. Gun on close inspection and magnifying glass looks the same. Others may have different experiences. I experienced no slip in the pitch. It was a straight stock and I understand that a pistol grip might be less cooperative. All this is observation as I am no SxS expert. I am going to watch it as I understand that they can tend to have a tendancy to slip or bend back. The tang also is bent to accomodate the change. I will visit Dan Morgan in the next few weeks and pick up the topic again with him.
Good luck!

PS. I shot 4 shells in the pattern board also and gun shoots flat.

Thanks Eric, I appreciate your feedback. Let me know if you gain further insights into the process after you talk with Dan Morgan. I'd be happy with an other 1/8 dac to 1 1/2 dac overall. Best......Jerry

Eric,
Two bits of advice I have received from others:
1) If a gun shoots high, try squatting a little as you shoot.:rotf:
2) The other is the three most important elements of good shooting is: Gun Fit, Gun Fit, & Gun Fit.
Best Fishes,
Steve Kleist Ely, MN

Thanks steve! Did the advise on squatting come from the same sportsman book that says you have to hold your mouth just right to catch a fish?:rotf:
As far as fit goes I, like others who accumulate guns, now look closer at those guns of mine that are quite nice but just don't fit the way they should. Maybe change them or move them on for guns that do. I might require supportive counseling to do so though.