Straight vs. Pistol Grip Stock

[Phil Yearout]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

I don't think I have ever missed a bird or a target because of the grip on my stock.

Yeah, but it's another good excuse to have in your repertoire !

[Dean Romig]

I prefer a straight grip gun. More stylish... less "utilitarian" looking... more streamlined and sleek looking with either type of forend... in hunting situations I am "one with my gun" and don't feel the need to have a pistol grip in order to 'hold onto' or 'pull the gun' into my shoulder - but this probably comes with using a light upland gun rather than a gun that is heavier and requires a tighter grip at the wrist of the gun.

Yes, I usually shoot a pistol grip gun but that is not of preference but rather of necessity because until now I only have one straight grip gun... aside from my old Winchester 94.

[Hammer Gun]

Well, since I am into older Parkers most of the early guns seem to be straight grip with a few ball grips, or semi- pistol grip whatever you want to call them. I tend to think that a little more work goes into the ball grips. most of the early high grade guns had the ball grip with the gold shield, with a few exceptions, I do not really have a preference, just as long as it is a "Parker". I have english guns too! but most in 410 and 28 gauge all are straight grip, Gary

[Gary Laudermilch]

Wow, talk about opening a can of opinions!

To my eye there is nothing sexier than a svelte straight grip side by side. With that said, I much prefer the pistol grip for much the same reasons as Kenny. I have had several straight grip guns and they all went down the road. The last one I loved the looks of so much I had a terrible time parting with it even though I shot it poorly. I guess I'll answer the original question with a question(s).

When was the last time you saw an English grip (or light weight) gun at the Olympics?

How many straight grip guns do you see on the registered trap, skeet, or sporting clays events? Most are about as far from straight as you can get.

What does George Digweed, a Brit no less and the winningest sporting clays shooter ever, use when his objective is to win?

What was the configuration of choice for the market hunters, who lived by the gun, and decimated the most bird rich continent in the world?

Your choice, fortunately for all of us. Whether it is wives or shotguns - form or function?

[Tom]

Just purely for looks I like the straight grip. I shoot both and do not shoot either style better. I must admitt a checkered ball grip is real cool too.
Tom

[Andy Humphriss]

Chocolate or vanilla ice cream, I'm glad they make both. Same with shotgun stocks. For me if it has 2 triggers I want a straight grip, it makes it easier for me to transition from one trigger to the other. For clay target guns I prefer a single trigger with a pistol grip stock. I seem to be an equal opportunity wiffer with either stock.

[Jim Signore]

Out of all the doubles I have, only 2 straight grips. A Fox A grade 16, and a R-12 Darne 12ga. Now the Fox I haven't shot since I was a kid, but I remember doing quite well with it, and I do ok with the Darne even though I'm right handed and it's built for a lefty. everything else is PG or half grip, whichever term you prefer. But I'm with the majority, I don't mind shooting either, but a straight grip looks fantastic to me, in certain configurations, sometimes it can look odd to me. But that's just my personal opinion, I like em all for the most part no matter what the configuration. And with the exception of the 16ga Darne I have extremely high on my shopping list that absolutely has to be straight grip, I wouldn't base a decision to buy or pass on that factor alone, but again, just my opinion.

[Parkerman]

I don't remember the percentage but the number of straight stocks is much less that the others

[Harold Pickens]

Keep me on the straight and narrow list!

[edgarspencer]

It tends to be pretty chilly for late season grouse in Maine, and when I'm doing a lot of walking, I tend to rest the wrist across my fore arm, with the butt tucked up beneath my arm, right hand across the left ( I'm a southpaw). I never wear a glove on my left (trigger) hand, but do wear a thin deer skin glove on my right hand. A straight gripped gun stands the risk of sliding forward across your fore arm, whereas a pistol gripped gun stays right there.
James Purdey developed a popular trigger bow design for straight gripped gun.
Ironically, it's shape is precisely that of a pistol gripped gun.
Additionally, as arthritis get worse, the added twist to my wrist is a touch more painful.
I had a 32" straight gripped VHE, which I recently sold to another member for that reason. I also have a straight gripped CH, but haven't had it long enough to try it out, but I'm not expecting it to feel any different that the VHE.
Apart from Parkers, I also collect 'Special Order' Winchester 1894 rifles, with a strong preference towards pistol gripped guns (and half round barrels with set triggers, if we're getting picky)