Stock Drop Thoughts

[Reggie B]

So Randy, in summary, it its a rare bird stock drop doesn't kill the deal for you even if it means bending it and changing the factory specs? I once owned a very high condition, straight stocked Fox that the previous owner had bent the stock and it no longer matched the factory card dimensions. When I got some opinions on the gun most people would say "its a shame the stock was messed with".

[Randy Roberts]

Originally Posted by Reggie Bishop

So Randy, in summary, it its a rare bird stock drop doesn't kill the deal for you even if it means bending it and changing the factory specs? I once owned a very high condition, straight stocked Fox that the previous owner had bent the stock and it no longer matched the factory card dimensions. When I got some opinions on the gun most people would say "its a shame the stock was messed with".

Correct Reggie. Bending to fit me is something I will do. If my Executors or the next owner gets all worked up over it they can always bend it back.

[Double Lab]

On a smallbore, as any gauge, it's the barrels that sell the gun to me. I can live and shoot a variety of stock dimensions but if the barrels aren't solid then it's a gun that I will pass on.

[Mike of the Mountain]

If the gun is a 10, 12 or 16g and has over 3” of drop I’ll probably pass. I want guns to shoot and want to dump a lot more $$ into one of them since there are more of those out there. Now if we’re talking a 20, 28 or .410, that’s a totally different story.

I’d also have no problem buying a gun that’s too high at comb and heel. I can lower a stock to fit me. I also don’t care if stock dimensions do not match a letter, I care about shooting.

[Kevin McCormack]

At the price you are going to have to pay for a graded Parker or Fox 32" 20 gauge, the prospect of having to spend the money for a restock due to unshootable dimensions will become a speed bump on the highway of life, trust me. So far as a 32" Parker 28 gauge, the cost becomes almost inconsequential.

[Craig Larter]

I'm with Randy, DAC is more important to me than DAH. I only buy damascus Parkers so most that I encounter have plenty of drop. I'm also like Dean, I can adopt to different drops, it may take a couple of targets to adjust. On my guns with 2" of DAC I use a Leatherman comb riser and find it very comfortable. Reggie, I would buy and have bought Parkers with stock dimensions that are not my ideal. I would not consider a gun with 3 1/4" DAH or greater. I won't bend stocks or make modifications to make them fit However, I can understand competitive shooters going down that road.

[6pt-Sika]

I’ve always shot them the way they came and did very well with a plethora of different dimensions . Now however I’m finding I’ve seemed to have gravitated to the less drop crowd . I personally have never had one bent or had one restocked . But never say never I’m in negotiations as we speak with a stock maker friend for a GH 12 32” that the stock isn’t original to the gun and has been changed into far more modern dimensions .

[Randy Roberts]

[QUOTE=Craig Larter;341865]I'm with Randy, DAC is more important to me than DAH. I only buy damascus Parkers so most that I encounter have plenty of drop. I'm also like Dean, I can adopt to different drops, it may take a couple of targets to adjust. On my guns with 2" of DAC I use a Leatherman comb riser and find it very comfortable. Reggie, I would buy and have bought Parkers with stock dimensions that are not my ideal. I would not consider a gun with 3 1/2" DAH or greater. I won't bend stocks or make modifications to make them fit However, I can understand competitive shooters going down that road.[/QUOTE

The Leatherman is one that I really like, comfortable to say the least.

[SXS OHIO]

I'm bird hunter first......wild birds that is. The action is fast and the hunter has little time to think about his gun mount, it must be fluid. That said my first line hunting guns have dimensions that fit me. I have a 5'x5' steel plate here at my home. I test my guns to see point of aim when shouldering and shooting the gun like in a hunting situation. Then adjustments can be made if needed. I have tried hunting with guns that have a little more drop than I normally shoot.....yes I shoot the roosters legs off. 1/4" makes a big difference at 35 yards! If you shoot sporting clays, gun fit is less important as most shooting is done with gun pre mounted....thats cheating in my book! Anyway thats my take on stock fit. One exception to most of this....if you only shoot one shotgun you will learn to shoot that gun fairly well. Its when you swap guns is when the trouble really starts! SXS Ohio

[Reggie B]

Most seem to be responding from a shooters standpoint which is great. What about from a collecting standpoint? I like long barrels, small bores with lots of original condition. Hard to find. So when I run across one I am very interested despite stock dimensions. If for example a nice high condition BHE 20 came along with 30” or 32” barrels I am interested despite drop at heel or comb because they are in my sweet spot. Keep the responses coming!