How much is too much DAH?
 

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.

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.

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/1...o/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/...0British-S.jpg

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

https://photos.smugmug.com/Shooting/...20Stream-S.jpg

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

From October 1909 --

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

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