Shotgun stock- english or standard?

[pownal55]

I have some Browning over and under doubles with both standard pistol grip and english straight stocks. One side by side with the straight stock. Most shooters I talk to frown on the english straight stock and I don't understand why. I know it's personal preference but I like the english style, any thoughts?

 

[Alpo]

My first Husqvarna double had a straight stock. When the guy at IAR (I think it was - in San Juan Capistrano, anyway) was describing it to me, that was almost a deal breaker, but he says, "Your rifle has a straight stock, don't it?" Hmmm. Good point. So I bought it. I now have seven Husky doubles, six of 'em with English stocks. I like 'em.

I don't know if I'd like 'em with a pump or auto, though. But they just "fit" with a nice SxS.

 

[2152hq]

It is really a personal like or dis-like, though it gets argued to death which is the better of the two for the shooter.

For me, other than on a SxS shotgun, I don't care for a straight grip stock.
But SxS's with pistol grip stocks are fine for me too.
An O/U doesn't feel right to me with a straight grip,,better with a pistol grip, though an open one.

I know from experience if you're selling a high grade SxS shotgun,,especially a small bore,,the straight grip will outsell the pistol grip stocked gun all day long.
But even that doesn't make it necessarily better for the user.

Marketing has done a good job of convincing shooters that they need a special something for every shooting situation and clay game.

 

[fat tom]

I don't know if I'd like 'em with a pump or auto, though.

I have a Remington Special Field in 20 guage which is my first choice when pursuing "Gentleman Bob".
f.t.

 

[pownal55]

I also had a Remington Special Field 20ga years ago. That was a real fast gun on woodcock and partridge I think it was the beginning of my affection to English stock guns.

 

[tork'd]

we have both and enjoy the differences in each..
i get the "blah-blah this..blah-blah that" from those that see either and all i tell them is "buy what YOU like...thats what we do"
it normally ends the conversion

 

[smitty_bs]

I really like the looks of the English stocked shotguns, so I read up on these. Some articles stated the pistol gripped shotguns allow for better repeatablilty of where you grab the piece. Made sense, but I still like the looks of those English stocks. Handle one at your LGS. Some people think it bends the wrist in the wrong place. It's all a matter of personal preference; I have two pistol gripped O/Us because they feel better to me, even though I still like the looks of the English style.

 

[dkizer22]

I have both, the English stocks are preferred for fast and lite hunting as quail and rabbit. The pistol grips are on the target 0/U for sporting clays, trap, and skeet.

 

[tops]

A proper shotgun for a gentleman is a SXS with a straight hand stock, double triggers, a splinter fore end, and ejectors. Larry

 

[keith44spl]

I thought everybody had one....This'n could be your'n

Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[chief38]

When all the dust settles, it really comes down to which one you prefer.

In the USA I would thing that the vast majority are pistol grip type stocks, and that in Europe straight stocks are the popular choice. That is why people here might give you a bit of static on the straight stock issue.

Personally I like the traditional pistol grip stocked guns, but that is because it's what I am used to and grew up with. The only straight stocked long guns I own are a half dozen Marlin lever rifles and a Winchester .22LR Pump. Go with your gut.

Chief38

 

[Sebago Son]

I think that Straight Stock doubles are the most lively and faster on the wing. Both my AYA and Bernadelli Roma are straight stocked guns with metric length barrels of around 27".

However if one is shooting alot, or heavier loads such as shugs or buckshot, you will appreciate the value of the pistol grip in controlling recoil.

Drew

 

[Ray]

My old man has a english stoked Sauer in 24 gauge. I know it´s gauge not used in the USA but here in Brazil it´s fairly common.I happen to like it.
Regards, Ray

 

[H Richard]

It is my understanding that the origination of the straight grip stock was to accommodate double triggers better, let you slide your hand back and forth to reach the triggers. With single trigger guns, SxS or O/U yu don't need to move your hand. That being said, it is mostly a personal preference thing. I grew up with single selective triggers, so I like a pistol grip, actually the Prince of Whales style which is available on some Brownings.

 

[perrazi]

adjustable everything,butt,comb, rib height, length of reach for the trigger. in other words, a modern day trap gun. perazzi of course

 

[H Richard]

My Browning BT99+ has all those adjustments, inc. rib height & position.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

It is my understanding that the origination of the straight grip stock was to accommodate double triggers better, let you slide your hand back and forth to reach the triggers. With single trigger guns, SxS or O/U yu don't need to move your hand. That being said, it is mostly a personal preference thing. I grew up with single selective triggers, so I like a pistol grip, actually the Prince of Whales style which is available on some Brownings.

Finally someone who gets the correct answer.

 

[jrm53]

I believe Sebago Son summed it up quite well he stated what I had always thought. Jeff

 

[Cooter Brown]

Finally someone who gets the correct answer.

I hate to disagree with the good counselor and Mr. Richard here, who both know much more about most things gun than I do, but that's hogwash, an old wive's tale.

I've shot straight hand double trigger guns for years, and never once during that time have I slid my hand around to make the rear trigger. That's thousands of targets and more birds than I care to admit.

The index finger merely slides off the front trigger onto the back trigger. Very fast and efficient. Changing the grip on the gun while shooting would be anathema to good form and effective shooting. I can't even imagine trying to do it!

The straight grip gun as others have indicated is better suited for fast, very instinctive shooting, for the lack of a better term "snap" shooting. The small, straight grip, which puts the rear hand at something of a less comfortable angle than a pistol grip, helps to prevent a death grip with the rear hand and forces the leading hand to take the dominant role in the mount and swing--the forward hand is what drives the gun, points it, and kills birds. The straight grip also lines the two hands more along the same plane as the barrels.

Target shooting, and some forms of pass shooting, are more a deliberate, precision game, particularly in the US where most shooters premount. Look at the exaggerated rakes on the pistol grips of dedicated skeet, SC, and especially trap guns. The pistol grip is much better suited for this kind of shooting. Like others have said it also helps tame recoil to a degree.

When I shoot my SxS at skeet or SC, my score actually goes down when I pre-mount--when I shoot my over/under or my Beretta autoloader with pistol grips the score goes up when pre-mounted.

The late writer Michael McIntosh devotes a chapter in one of his books to the different grips and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Reading it confirmed why for years I preferred my straight gripped guns for the kind of bird shooting I mostly do (grouse and woodcock). Sebago Son got it exactly right.

 

[pownal55]

A lot of good responses but I think Cooter Brown nailed it.