How much is too much DAH?

[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 of the Mountain]

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.

[Andy]

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]

Originally Posted by GunnerGrilli

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[6pt-Sika]

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]

Originally Posted by Stan Hillis

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

Originally Posted by Mike of the Mountain

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.