[John Peddie]

I just bought a new pump for ducks (wood furniture).

I knew I'd have to shorten the stock-it catches on my heavy duck coat when mounting.

I'm small-5 7 1/2, and some of that may be technique, but it has to be cut down (as bought, 14 1/4").

But how much and how to measure?

(I don't have access to a proper try gun, so it's a "best guess" effort).

[perrytrails]

John I'm 5'7 and know your prob. I try to get mine just under 14, say 13 3/4. Although that may not work for you. Its a trial and error thing........ too bad you not closer to me.

Others will be along to maybe give you a better way for proper fit.

[Pete D.]

The Try Gun is the best but since most of us don't have one lying around, we settle for other, less exact methods.
A useful measurement can be had by mounting the gun and having another person check the distance from the first knuckle of the thumb of the trigger hand to the tip of your nose; it should be about 1.5 - 2 inches.
Pete

[CmpsdNoMore]

When I measure with the thumb-to-nose method I will use my fingers as a guide. Usually 1 1/2 to 2 fingers is ideal.

I've also heard a method of putting you strong arm down, bring the forearm horizontal (so your elbow bends 90 degrees forward, sort of like cowboys quick draw). You then measure from the crook of your elbow to the trigger finger with your finger in a position like on a trigger.
This method usually seems to vary, so I use the finger method as a quick guide and then mount and swing to see how it feels.

What ever you do, it's better to cut too little than too much!

[Gordon]

My ducks with coat length is 13 3/4" and I am 5' 10" (these days I shrunk an inch in height in 10 years :confused:)
Clay games 14 1/4"
Upland birds in warmer conditions 14" or skoosh less
quail and rabbits 13 1/12"
defense 13"-12 1/2" (indoors)

[Red Cent]

Gordon, my wife swears that skoosh is a technical term used in ranging and distance calcultions. I cannot find it in the dictionary.

I was shown how to put the long gun in the inside crook of your elbow and place the strong arm/hand as to fire the weapon. Obvious results.

However, the clothes thing messes that up.

Buddies with guns with short arms?

[Virginian]

Placing the gun in the crook of your elbow would be great if that was how you intend to shoot it. I would cut 1/4" at a time until it felt right with the clothing.

[Sentry71]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLLnGM3DXE0

The two things I took away from this:
2 fingers between nose and thumb knuckle is ideal
1/4" of stock removal will close the nose-thumb gap by 1"

Personally, I would only take 1/4" off at a time, and see if it gets to where you want it to be.