Length of pull (sometimes abbreviated as LOP) is the distance from the trigger to the part of a rifle or shotgun which fits against the shoulder of the shooter. Length of pull is an important ergonomic factor for ease of use; and optimum length of pull may vary with the size of the shooter, the thickness of chest clothing and body armor being worn, and whether the shooter is firing from a standing, sitting, or prone position.
Variation
Many rifles and shotguns are manufactured with a standard length of pull assumed to fit most shooters. This is often approximately 13.5 in (34 cm) for rifles3 and about 0.8 in (2 cm) longer for shotguns.4 Shooters with short arms may find the buttstock dragging along the underside of their arm as they attempt to raise the firearm into firing position. Shooters with broad shoulders or a long neck may experience face injuries from collision with the telescopic sight or thumb of the trigger hand as the firearm recoils. Modern firearms may be equipped with a telescoping stock or removable spacers to adjust the length of pull. Gunsmiths may adjust the length of pull of custom-built firearms or older firearms by cutting off a portion of the buttstock or adding a recoil pad to the buttstock.5 Some sources67 suggest a shooter's optimum length of pull will allow the butt of the firearm to exactly reach the inside of the elbow when the hand of that arm grips the unloaded firearm with a finger on the trigger. Other sources89 suggest a more appropriate determination may be made using a non-firing "try-gun" resembling a firearm with an adjustable buttstock.10 When a properly adjusted try-gun is held in a firing position, the shooter's nose should be about two finger-widths behind the thumb of the trigger hand.11
Sources
References
Oruc, Emrah. "How to Measure Length of Pull for Shotguns". Gone Outdoors. Retrieved 29 May 2019. https://goneoutdoors.com/how-to-measure-length-of-pull-for-shotguns-12668809.html ↩
Dow, Todd (27 February 2012). "Rifle Fit: Length of Pull". Art of the Rifle. Retrieved 29 May 2019. https://artoftherifle.com/rifle-fit-length-of-pull/2012/02/rifle-fit-length-of-pull.html ↩
Dow, Todd (27 February 2012). "Rifle Fit: Length of Pull". Art of the Rifle. Retrieved 29 May 2019. https://artoftherifle.com/rifle-fit-length-of-pull/2012/02/rifle-fit-length-of-pull.html ↩
Oruc, Emrah. "How to Measure Length of Pull for Shotguns". Gone Outdoors. Retrieved 29 May 2019. https://goneoutdoors.com/how-to-measure-length-of-pull-for-shotguns-12668809.html ↩
"Adjusting Length of Pull (LOP)". KICK-EEZ. Retrieved 29 May 2019. https://kickeezproducts.com/most-asked-adjusting-length-of-pull-lop/ ↩
Oruc, Emrah. "How to Measure Length of Pull for Shotguns". Gone Outdoors. Retrieved 29 May 2019. https://goneoutdoors.com/how-to-measure-length-of-pull-for-shotguns-12668809.html ↩
"How to measure your LOP". gunstocksinc.com. Retrieved 29 May 2019. http://www.gunstocksinc.com/web_pages/Plate-pics/LOP-Measurement/how_to_measure_your_lop.htm ↩
Rose, Steve. "The more you know: Length of pull". PoliceOne. Retrieved 29 May 2019. https://www.policeone.com/police-products/firearms/articles/248146006-The-more-you-know-Length-of-pull/ ↩
Hanus, Bill. "You and me and the LOP - Length of Pull". Gundogs Online. Retrieved 28 May 2019. http://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/You-and-me-and-the-LOP-Length-of-Pull-Page1.htm ↩
Craige, John Houston (1950). The Practical Book of American Guns. New York: Bramhall House. p. 257. ↩
Ash, Gil. "Gun Fit". OSP School. Retrieved 29 May 2019. https://ospschool.com/sample-knowledge/articles/101-gun-fit ↩