870 + recoil : thumb in eye problem!

[Highgate]

This may be caused by holding my shotgun too loose, as suggested in a similar thread.

Essentially I can shoot my 870 with standard 21 gram rounds no problem ... but when I fire 42 gram semi-magnums the recoil shoves my thumb into my eye or nose!

I have now learned to rest the thumb along the top of the stock - but sometimes I forget ... ouch!

So am I holding the gun wrong, by having my thumb draped over the top of the stock?

Or am I holding the gun too loosely?

(I'm tempted to cut a resting place / dent in the wood for my thumb - but then no doubt the stock will fall apart!)

 

[oneounceload]

The area of the wrist in front of the comb is there for that exact reason - I am having difficulty trying to visualize how else you might be holding the gun

 

[rcmodel]

Well, that you are having body damage shooting two different guns leads me to suspect one of two things.

1. You are 7' tall, and your stocks are too short for you.

Or:
2. You are holding the guns too loosely, using bad shooting form, and letting them get a running start to work you over.

Any chance you could go to a shotgun trap & skeet range and get some gun mounting pointers from more experienced shooters?

Otherwise, make sure you use a high elbow to form a pocket for the butt in your shoulder.
Pull the gun in tightly.
Use a fairly firm grip on the forend with your left hand.
Lean into it slightly.

Another tip might be to stop shooting Magnum shells until you get all this worked out with lighter loads.

Getting hurt by your shotguns is not going to improve your shooting skill at all.

rc

 

[Armored farmer]

You don't need to be 7' tall to make a thumb/nose connection. I do the same thing. Usually happens when I am really in the groove, bearing down on breaking some clays. I have added some spacers to lengthen my stock...but I still lay my thumb along (parallel to)the grip instead of over (perpendicular) to it.

Maybe we just have long necks idk.

 

[coolluke01]

I have had the same problem a few times. I believe it's a nose to stock length ratio that is to blame. If I try and keep my hand up forward on the grip it helps.

 

[mister2]

I have added some spacers to lengthen my stock...

Bingo!

I have a 590 that had a looong length of pull and I shortened it to my usual 13.5". But then, I outsmarted myself and installed a recoil pad that was another .5" shorter than stock.

Two things happened:

1. thumb got real cozy with nose
2. the thinner pad suddenly made 00 buckshot really painful

Back to the original pad, no more untimely thumb/nose meetings....

HTH
MR2

PS. the Mossy has an unusually long (I'm used to rifles) wrist and that contributed to placing the thumb real close, for starters. There's no easy way to shorten the wrist and adding spacers/thicker recoil pad is most expedient.

 

[dprice3844444]

but when I fire 42 gram semi-magnums the recoil shoves my thumb into my eye or nose!

what part of don't shoot those loads don't you understand?

 

[oneounceload]

sorry for the large image, but if you see the way that Kim is holding her gun, that is where your thumb should be

 

[Highgate]

Thanks for all the replies everyone!

I shoot alone so I have never had anyone to ask about stance etc.

I think a visit to the local clay club might be worthwhile.

They also allow pump-actions and semi-autos on-site ,,, very rare, as you will normally get chucked off a clay site or a bird shooting session if seen carrying anyting except a dbl barrel.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Clays ranges are great places to work on form. You will get tons of advice,some of it worth taking.

Most ranges also have an instructor. A session with him or her can work wonders and greatly shorten the learning curve.

 

[Owen Sparks]

I tried one of those short "tactical" stocks once and came away with a blue spot under my eye. Those were designed to compensate when the shooter is wearing bulkey body armor.

 

[uvausmc]

Whenever I'm shooting a gun with a decent amount of recoil (heavy 12ga loads, .375 H&H, .50BMG, heavy .45-70 etc) I just keep my thumb on the right side instead of wrapped around the grip (i'm a right-handed shooter).

 

[popper]

If you are sure you don't have a youth stock, get a recoil pad (you need a longer 'pull'). You aren't squinting through a scope, push it out in front of you. The gal's pic post is a little close for me - nose to hand. Wrap your thumb around the stock so you have strength to pull the gun to your shoulder -else your shoulder will get sore.

 

[oneounceload]

Using the grip that I showed in Kim's picture (she IS an Olympic gold medalist), allows you more control in that area than having the thumb alongside the stock. This will help you keep it under control as the recoil pulse occurs.