How To Measure The Length Of Pull For A Gun?

The length of pull (LOP) is an important factor that will decide whether that weapon will be suitable for you or not.

It is the measurement from the back center of the recoil pad or the butt plate to the middle of the trigger.

However, many new shooters may not know how to measure the length of pull.

The following instructions will help you choose the proper gun with the exact length of pull.

Factors To Consider When You Measure The LOP 

Your shape or parts of your body also affect the measurement of the length of pull for a gun. So there should be compatibility between your dimensions and those of the gun you want to buy.

Consider these factors before measuring the LOP helps you choose the right gun.

• The length of your neck
• Have the right posture!
• The shape of cheeks
• Your overall dimension
• Does the gun drop at your comb or your heel?

When it drops at your comb, it refers to the distance from the butt plate to the range of visibility.

When it drops at your heel, it refers to the distance from the stock's comb to the range of visibility.

How To Measure The Length Of Pull For A Gun?

Take The Gun Measurement 

Step 1: Start with a gun without bullets!

While checking the length of the gun, you might touch the trigger. This is very dangerous, so it’s compulsory that the gun is without bullets.

Before measuring, you should remove all bullets and clear the rifle's chamber.

Step 2: Measure the length of pull

Use a tapeline to measure the distance from the back center of the recoil pad or butt plate to the middle of the trigger. It is the LOP of a gun.

Step 3: Note the measurement down

This step helps you determine if the length of pull is too short or too long so you can decide if your stock shall be replaced or trimmed.

The length of pull of most the factory rifles is from 13 inches to 13.75 inches (from 33 centimeters to 34.9 centimeters).

Meanwhile, the length of pull of most available shotguns is from 14 inches (35.56 centimeters) to 14.75 inches (37.465 centimeters).

Test The Gun’s Fit

Step 1: Place your index finger on the face of the trigger and bend your elbow 90 degrees

Keep the weapon with your shooting hand. Firstly, widen your arms! Then place your index finger on the face of the trigger and bend your elbow and keep it at an angle of 90 degrees.

Step 2: Make sure the recoil plate or butt plate is nuzzled inside your elbow.

If the space between the recoil plate or butt plate and your elbow's inside crook is longer than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters), it means the length of pull is too short.

If you are incapable of bending your elbow, it means the length of pull is too long.

Step 3: Place the gun on your shoulder and image that you are shooting.

There are various positions or angles for you to take a shot, but you should select the one that you often use.

Although the gun is now without the bullets, you can still set up as what you usually do to take shots as normal.

Step 4: Measure the space between your nose and the thumb of your shooting hand.

The stock's wrist should be held by your shooting hand.

Then measure the space between your nose and the thumb of your shooting hand. In general, this distance should be 1.5″ (3.8 centimeters).

If this result is greater, it means the length of pull is too long. And if space is less than 1.5″ (3.8 centimeters), it means the length of pull is too short.

Adjust The Length Of The Stock

Step 1: Remove the recoil pad to shorten the length of pull.

If the length of pull is too long for you, it will impact the gun's precision.

But you can quickly fix it by removing the recoil pad. Nonetheless, your shoulder will suffer from more pressure when you shoot the gun.

Via airgunmagazine.co.uk

Step 2: Add a thicker butt plate or spacers to lengthen the length of pull.

If the length of pull is too short, it will make your range of visibility obstructed.

But you can easily change the butt plate by a thicker one. Adding spacers between the recoil pad or butt plate and the stock is also a good choice.

Step 3: Ask the gunsmith to trim or replace the stock.

The best solution to adjusting the stock is to bring the gun to a gunsmith, ask him to correct the stock's size by trimming it. Or, just change it by a longer one.

Also, the gunsmith will add a new recoil pad or butt plate by counting the space.

Sum Up

Finally, owning a firearm with the proper and correct measurements on the length of pull will help you have shots on the right track.

Therefore, you should check the measurements carefully, typically if you plan to buy a new gun.

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Read more about scopes & sights: https://adventurefootstep.com/category/scopes-sights/