Where exactly is the "shoulder pocket"?

[kirby]

Yes, this is a n00b question. I've tried some searching and it's still not clear to me. I guess what I'm really looking for is a very detailed description of a proper mount.

Questions about finding "the pocket"
- Left to right: I see two possible spots to place the butt of the stock. One is in the gap where my bicep ends. It's comfortable there, but it occurs to me that there's not a lot of flesh behind the stock. There other spot is closer in, covering the outside edge of my pectoral muscle. This feels less natural at first, but there is certainly quite more padding behind the stock.

- How high? How high should the top of stock be? Should it be completely below the top of my shoulder? This is still about shoulder pocket, but it affects how my check touchs the stock. I've got a long-ish neck and everything feels a bit more comfortbale if the top of the stock sticks up above the top of my shoulder a bit.

 

[Nimitz]

the way i learned it was this...the thumb screw on the stock should be at the TOP fo your shoulder... so it goes like this, Thumb screw, high pocket shoulder, grab air, high firm pistol grip, rotate down...if you do this theres no way you cant have the rifle/shotgun in the pocket of your shoulder.

any questions feel free to ask.

Chad

 

[kirby]

Nimitz, thanks for the reply.

I don't understand at all. "thumbscew on the stock" Maybe that's underneath the recoil pad?

"grab air ..."?
Are you saing point the muzzle up in the air, grip with my strong hand, and rotate everything down around my shoulder and the butt should land in the right spot?

 

[Nimitz]

i wish i could take pictures...on the back of the stock...usually a screw to let water thru im referring to an AR/M16 when i say that...you put your thumb on that screw and into your shoulder the screw/thumb should end up above the shoulder. hence "high pocket shoulder"

Grab air reffers to what you do with your hand...reach out to the right of the pistol grip and grab air...lol it sounds stupid but it works...then a HIGH firm pistol grip the grab air step helps with getting the high firm pistol grip...if i can i'll get some pictures up to explain...since i suck with the english language apparently. sorry.

Chad

 

[kirby]

Ahh, it's a shotgun, not an AR style rifle, no pistol grip.

I think I understand a bit better now.

 

[Nimitz]

same concept really...i took some pictures and if you want i can upload them...

chad

 

[scout26]

The way Drill Sergeant Oliver explained it to all us trainee's at Ft. Lost-In-The-Woods back in the summer of '83. was: "The butt of the M-16 goes into your shoulder in the same place as your bra strap."

HTH.



We were then shown to stand with a good baseball stance with the forestock of the weapon being held by your non-shooting hand and pointing toward the "pitcher",. The weapon would be across your body. Your shooting (or trigger) hand would be pointing at a 90 degree angle from the "pitcher" or across "home plate". You then wrap your shooting or trigger arm around the weapon and bring your hand to the grip and this forms the "pocket" in your shoulder and puts you in the correct standing un-supported postion. (Foot work intentionally left out.)

Clear as mud ???

 

[Fred Fuller]

There's a link to a list of old TFL threads for shotgun newbies at the top of the index page, and one of those threads might be helpful to you. Take a look at http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11646 and see if it makes things any clearer. And say thanks to Moderator Dave McC if it does... 8^).

lpl/nc

 

[USMC - Retired]

The way Drill Sergeant Oliver explained it to all us trainee's at Ft. Lost-In-The-Woods back in the summer of '83. was: "The butt of the M-16 goes into your shoulder in the same place as your bra strap."

That method of instruction would never work with Marines. We don't wear bras....

 

[Nimitz]

hahaha...thats good to go USMC-ret. you mind me asking what did you ret. as and what was your MOS? im on my way to Ft. Sill, OK for FO school 0861.

Semper Fi

Chad

 

[USMC - Retired]

Retired as a GySgt MOS 6694 (Aviation Information Systems Technician) with a secondary 8531 (Primary Marksmanship Instructor). But I started out in the Corps as a 5937 (Aviation Radio Repairman). Made a lat move as a Sgt for promotability reasons. Foward Observer heh? Good on ya. I still work with the Corps as a Contractor now for C2 Systems. One of the systems I am responsible for is the AFATDS and the BUCS. You'll learn all about them at school.

 

[Nimitz]

good to go...I'm not really looking to forward to FO school in OK...mighty cold up there and im from florida..I was there for a week and they sent me home the schools are backed up, when I left it was 30deg and 30mph winds...

how was being a PMI? where you at Parris Island?

Chad

 

[scout26]

USMC-Retired:

Touche, Gunny. I turn over my king.

You redlegs are some of my favorite people along with the zoomies especially A-10 drivers. As an MP we did'nt have FO's attached to us. Like everything else we had to do it on our own and/or would have to beg, borrow and *acquire* whatever we needed, including fire/air support.

Just as a side note, do they still teach that method of obtaining the correct position ??? (The hold your arm out and then wrap it around the weapon, not the bra part.....)

 

[Nimitz]

scout if your referring to what I said...yes.

chad

 

[USMC - Retired]

Nimitz,
I did my PMI time in Yuma and for a few weeks at Edson Range. I became a PMI through the "back door". Back in the late 80's everyone that went to divison matches went through PMI training and was awarded the 8531 MOS. Division matches were always the high point of the year for me (on the years my units would actually be able to send a team). I can still remember my first Marine Corps Division Match. I went in all full of whiz and vinegar thinkin since I was the high shooter in my unit that I was going to walk away with the whole shootin match. About day three I came to the realization that EVERYONE there were the high shooters in thier units and I was in for a serious education. I learned a big lesson in humility that year as well as made some great new friends in the process. Sure do miss it at times....

 

[Dave McCracken]

Thread drift strikes every 15 seconds....

Back to the point....

With a shotgun KNOWN TO BE EMPTY, assume a ready position. Raise your strong side elbow out to shoulder height. Place the butt in the space just inside the shoulder joint.

When one has the mount down, the elbow does not have to be raised quite so high....

HTH....

 

[USMC - Retired]

Thread drift strikes every 15 seconds....

My most sincere and humble apologies. I should know better.:banghead:

 

[Dave McCracken]

No big. Y'all were chatting....

 

[sm]

Dave wrote:
With a shotgun KNOWN TO BE EMPTY, assume a ready position. Raise your strong side elbow out to shoulder height. Place the butt in the space just inside the shoulder joint.

When one has the mount down, the elbow does not have to be raised quite so high....

Agree!

Remember : learning where the Shoulder Pocket Ain't is faster to learn, and sticks with one longer - than getting the correct basic fundamentals of correctly mounting into "pocket".

I recently saw the bruises a buddy of mine gave himself. Oh he knows how to shoot, je knows all the correct mounting and where pocket is, just testing another Benelli that won't run he fixed.
The owner, due to how he his built, needs cant and offset recoil pad ( he won't do the offset recoil pad, not cool factor).

Other gun "just had to have" a funky AR looking stock. So buddy steps out the door to do test fire, and these guns just do not fit him

I reminded him there is a reason we learn to shoot other methods besides "in the pocket" - like under the arm.

"Where were you yesterday to remind me of that?"

Nice young lady comes in we both know, has had her newest gun acquisition fitted to her with Pach Decel replacing original recoil pad and and being the nice guy I am , I double check her fit, mounting and all.
Of course I had to handle her gun demonstrate gun fit, pocket and all since buddy is still hurting and bruised. He showed her the bruises ( she asked).

"Can I have MY gun back now if you are through playing with it? (laughing)
"I'll give you a hug if you give me MY gun back ( still laughing).

I got my hug, buddy asked where his hug is - "You are all bruised and yucky, you don't get one" she said

We do stuff like this - Buddy will remember how to not bruise himself , and lady is going to use her old recoil pad to show other ladies where pocket is, and why she, we, do Pach Decel.

Old recoil pads , even still attached to a bit of stock removed, are great for demonstrating where pocket is, and why some recoil pads need radius, contouring - especially for ladies.

 

[kirby]

Thanks to all for the advice. I missed the "mounting 101" thread, I was looking for things named "101" by "Dave".
That last post about inside the joint is exactly what I needed, thanks.