David is a shotgun fitting service, with over 25 years of experience and for several years David has also worked with the team at Beretta and Premier Guns advising clients on the correct gun fit.
David provides highly personalised and professional guidance to correct gun fit ensuring the point of impact is accurate and correct. Gun fit is absolutely crucial if you want to get the best out of your shooting and realise your full potential. David has a reputation for being an absolute perfectionist when it comes to gun fitting. With David ‘near enough’ isn’t good enough.
David will carry out a comprehensive gun fitting service which covers all the fundamentals of a professional gun fit including assessment of your shotgun mount and also arrange any alterations if required. David also provides expert advice on purchasing the right gun, including instruction on where to go and what to look for from leading retailers
Any repairs can be made to any type of shotgun, alongside modifications, such as combs, chokes and recoil pads.
The shotgun stock can be altered in order to achieve the following; length, cast, comb, height and pitch. These correct measurements will help realise perfect gun fit which, in turn, will lead to the correct point of impact.
Recoil pads are placed at the end of the stock and are designed to reduce the recoil felt by the shooter.
Shotgun servicing involves stripping the gun entirely, checking the gun for wear and tear, making any repairs to the gun,cleaning and oiling the gun. Any residue is removed from the bores and the chambers and barrels are polished.
Stock refinishing is the process of improving the look of the shotgun. There are several types of finish available for refinishing stocks.
Barrel blueing is the process of improving the finish on the barrels of the shotgun and overall, to improve the look of the shotgun. This also provides the opportunity for any dents or scratches in the barrels to be removed.
Adjustable combs work by allowing the height of the shotgun to be moved up, down or sideways to allow the shooter to get the best fit.
Stock length is measured from the front of the trigger blade to the back of the recoil pad. Many guns have moveable trigger blades so always take measurements by first putting the trigger in the neutral position. This will vary from maker to maker but is normally obvious when you look. If you are not able to move the trigger make sure you note alongside the measurement the position the trigger blade was in when you measured.
Cast is the horizontal offset of a stock that allows your eye to line up with the rib. Viewed from above, barrels forward, stock bent to the right we call “cast-off”, and to the left “cast-on”. Cast-off or right hand cast is normally for right handed shots whilst cast-on or left cast is for lefties. Cast is typically measured at heel and toe and sometimes at “face” which is the midpoint from front of comb to heel.
Pitch is a measurement that primarily delivers comfort and control of recoil. For those who don’t know, pitch is the vertical angle of the face of the butt, normally measured in relation to the top line of the rib.
Arguably the most critical dimension. Drop is measured at the comb (the front/nose of the comb) at the heel (the rear of the comb) and also a central “drop at face” measurement is taken. Comb height is the one dimensions that seems to worry shooters more than any other and yet it is the easiest to get right. Before you can successfully shoot with a shotgun you must first be able to see your target and you cannot do that if your comb is too low.
When it comes to gun fit, grip is probably the least widely talked about but incredibly important. The correct grip dimensions will allow for a more consistent gun mount and more control of the shotgun.
The modern shotgun should balance either on the hinge pin, or about three eights of an inch behind it, but there’s more to it than that. The main weight of the gun should be concentrated in the part between your hands. In other words, between the middle of the fore-end chequering and the pistol grip. If the balance of your shotgun is correct you will achieve far greater control and much better handling.
Enquire about gun fitting
Its essential you wear your shooting jacket/skeet vest etc that you normally wear while shooting. Also if you use prescription shooting glasses please make sure you bring them to the session.
Gun fitting session normally takes roughly 2 hours.
No, All shotguns can and should be fitted. Although there are limitations in the degree to which they can be altered.
No, All shotguns can and should be fitted. Although there are limitations in the degree to which they can be altered.
Yes, David works alongside Beretta and Premier guns and is part of the VIP custom guns team. Check out this link for more information www.davidbeardsmoreshooting.com/beretta-vip-experience
Yes, Manufacturers produce ‘standard’ dimensions for a worldwide market. This means that many people that purchase an ‘off the shelf’ shotgun will either need to have the stock altered or they compensate for ill fitting.
When it comes to gun fitting, the shotgun mount is the most important factor. If you have a technically correct and consistent shotgun mount you will realise a much better gun fit.
2 hour gun fitting session with David costs £150.