The Foundation of Success: Understanding Gun Fitment

From the Bench: Why proper stock fitting is the key to shotgun performance

By Hootey Cline, Blue Coat Arms Company

July 2025

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As I work on various firearms here at Blue Coat Arms Company, one thing consistently strikes me about the American shooting culture: we've gotten comfortable with "good enough" when it comes to gun fit. While our European counterparts treat stock fitting as an essential craft, most Americans grab whatever feels decent off the rack and call it a day.

But here's what I've learned through years of gunsmithing – proper gun fitment isn't just about comfort; it's the foundational key to shooting success.

The American "Off-the-Rack" Mentality

Most Americans don't give gun fitting much thought because nearly all our long guns have historically been available as standard, mass-produced options. Walk into any gun store, and you'll find shotguns built to "average" specifications that supposedly work for most people.

In contrast, across the pond in the United Kingdom and Europe, nearly all shotgun stocks are custom-made for the individual shooter. This isn't just tradition – it's recognition of a fundamental truth: for shotguns, the ability to "point" naturally is of utmost importance, and that comes from proper balance and fit.

The difference becomes clear when you understand that a long gun – any firearm, really – works best when it becomes an extension of your body. Anyone who's struggled with shotgun shooting knows exactly what I'm talking about.

The Evolution of Shooting Styles

Something interesting happened in the 1950s that changed everything about gun fitting requirements. Shooting styles began to change rather drastically. The wide stances that had been standard were replaced with narrower footings, allowing for better range of motion.

Shooters started adopting:

• More relaxed arm positions

• Squarer shoulder alignment

• Head positions that were more forward-focused

These changes created flatter swings when bringing the gun to target, which required longer and flatter stock measurements than the older, more upright shooting styles demanded.

Beyond the "Shirt Size" Approach

Here's where many shooters – and unfortunately, some manufacturers – get it wrong. They treat gun fit like a shirt size: just use what feels best. The problem is that you can take two people with identical physical dimensions – same height, weight, chest size, arm length – and they'll often require completely different stock dimensions.

Gun fit is far more complex than simple body measurements.

Understanding Pitch: The Overlooked Critical Dimension

When most people discuss stock fitment, about ninety percent of the conversation focuses on length of pull and drop. However, incorrect pitch can cause even experienced marksmen to miss consistently.

What is pitch? Pitch is crucial for allowing the cheek to fall naturally into the comb, ensuring the butt fits squarely into the shoulder pocket, and positioning the eye correctly over the rib.

If you were to look at a shotgun stock from the butt end, measuring from the top of the heel to the bottom of the toe, zero degrees would mean no pitch. However, most shooters need some pitch to accommodate their body structure.

Pitch Specifications by Build

• Four degrees is most common for average chest size (male shooters)

• Four degrees is also what you'll find in most mass-produced shotguns because it's considered "average"

• Larger builds (46-inch chest, XXL shirt size) typically require moving the toe forward to accommodate extra chest thickness

• Negative pitch is extremely rare and would only be used for very specialized applications

The key understanding here is that pitch must accommodate the thickness and shape of the shooter's torso to ensure proper gun mount and sight alignment.

Cast: The Dimension That Works With Pitch

Cast is another frequently overlooked dimension, which is unfortunate because it works directly in relation to pitch.

Cast is what nestles the butt of the stock into the ball of the shoulder.

That shoulder joint is always at an angle because it's a ball-and-socket joint. The amount of angle depends on the individual person's body structure. Cast allows the stock to be positioned so the eye can line up with the rib correctly.

Cast Specifications

• Cast off (toe angles to the right) for right-handed shooters

• Cast on (toe angles to the left) for left-handed shooters

• Special cases like cross-dominant shooters (right-handed but left-eye dominant) require custom solutions

The Recoil Management Benefit

Here's something many shooters don't realize: by positioning the stock correctly on the shooter's body through proper cast and pitch, you'll drastically reduce muzzle flip.

Muzzle flip – that recoil that comes from the first shot in an engagement – occurs when the cast and pitch are incorrect. The butt of the stock will twist slightly because it's not properly secured in the shoulder pocket. This causes each successive shot to be off target more and more.

The Magic of Perfect Fit

What do shotgunners and golfers have in common? They each reach for that one specific tool over anything else because they perform at their best with it.

There's something truly magical about when everything comes together:

• Stock fits you perfectly

• Choke is set up for the right pattern

• Load is perfectly calculated

• Technique is spot on

But here's the critical point: the fitment of the stock is the central foundation for all of it. Without proper fit, even perfect chokes, premium ammunition, and excellent technique won't deliver consistent results.

Professional Fitting: An Investment in Success

If you're in the market for a new or used long gun, I'd highly recommend starting with a professional fitting from an expert. Once you know your specific dimensions, you'll be able to measure any prospective firearm and know whether it will be a worthy investment.

At Blue Coat Arms Company, we understand that proper gun fitting is both an art and a science. While we specialize in restoration and custom work rather than formal fitting services, we regularly work with the principles of proper stock dimensions when modifying or restoring firearms.

The Learning Never Stops

As someone who's spent years learning this craft, I'm constantly reminded that gunsmithing – including the art of proper gun fitting – is such a vast field that no one person can ever know it all. Every firearm that comes through our shop teaches me something new about the relationship between the shooter and their tool.

What I've shared here barely scratches the surface of professional gun fitting, but it highlights why this foundation is so critical to shooting success. Whether you're a weekend clay shooter or a serious hunter, understanding these principles can dramatically improve your performance.

From the Gunsmith's Bench

Working on firearms day in and day out, I see the difference that proper fit makes. When a customer brings in a family heirloom shotgun that's been properly fitted to their grandfather, and we're restoring it for the next generation, there's often a discussion about whether the fit will work for the new owner.

Sometimes the answer is yes – genetics can be remarkably consistent. Other times, we need to discuss modifications to ensure the firearm will serve the new generation as well as it served the previous one.

No matter your era, we got your six – and that includes helping you understand why proper gun fit is so crucial to your shooting success.

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Interested in learning more about gun fitting or need custom stock work? Contact Blue Coat Arms Company at 217-416-5962 or BlueCoatArms@gmail.com. While we specialize in restoration and custom fabrication, we're always happy to discuss the technical aspects of proper gun fit and can recommend qualified fitting professionals in our area.