doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Worth the extra $ to have an AYA built to fit?

JohnfromUK

Well said.

Most definitely you will benefit from shooting a gun fitted properly, all else being equal (proper mount,etc.).

I proved it to myself recently making a stock for myself. Starting out with the comb a little high and fat, I took it to the patterning board. It was interesting to watch the pattern move across until it was where it needed to be.

I make no secret of being able to shoot a gun well enough to adapt to one that isn't right. Anyone who's shot with me will attest to that.....

What do you expect your "fitted" stock dimensions would be?

I really dont know. I am 5'11" and slim. I weigh 155 lbs.

Brian Bilinski at Fieldsport is a a pretty experienced gunfitter. He should agree to apply their fitting fee against any gun you buy from them. I would suggest getting fitted and then figuring out if one of their in-stock models fits (or can be made to fit) and if not then consider ordering one from AyA.

My crystal ball says your gun should measure 1.5x2.25x14 7/8 with 1/8-inch of cast, the direction depending on which shoulder you want to use.

I will save you some money
1. Fly to Sky Harbor during Arizona Paradise Season; now through March
2. Shuttle to the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
3. Send spouse to Scottsdale Fashion Square
4. Go to William Larkin Moore http://williamlarkinmoore.com/
5. Pick gun off the rack that fits
6. Shoot it a lot
7. Never mind Richard Baxter or Kingsley Brown

You are most welcome, and come during Mearns season and we'll go down to Sonoita
Or come during the Barrett-Jackson, Gooding & Co., Russo & Steele, and Bonhams auctions in Jan and spend some real money

Richard Baxter (1615-1691), A Christian Directory, Part 1, Chapter IV, �Directions Against Covetousness�
"Be more careful to use what you have, than to get more."

I agree with John. While a good shot who understands his shooting style and the fit of guns can compensate for guns that do not fit, he will never shoot anywhere near as well with an ill fitting gun consistently. You need to be able to shoot instinctively with little focus on the gun when in a hot spot. If the gun is shooting two feet under where you think it is at twenty yards, you will suffer from poor shooting.

Sometimes you find guns that are just about where you need hem to be and little or no adjustment is required. You will go through many before you luck out and find that one that works for you.

Getting a gun that is close and making final adjustments will have a good effect on your shooting. As others have said, drop is more important than LOP, which can be altered by extending or retracting the left hand.

As for buying an AYA..... well you all know my opinion there so I'll shut up now!

I believe the difference between a high condition used 16-ga. AyA No. 2 vs. ordering a new one is closer to $2K than it is $1K.

I think most of the responders are dancing around the same point.

A gun that fits you properly, fits you. It doesn't matter if it was custom made for you, came from a cardboard box that way, came from the internet or came from wheretheheckistan that way. If you had a good idea of the dimensions that fit you, you may find that an off-the-rack gun is perfect for you, or it might be within possibility to fit it to you (stock bending, comb shaving, butt cutting, etc.). You sound like you're pretty average in stature and general construction, so many off-the-rack guns are likely to be good fits. Spending money for a custom gun won't make it fit better than an off-the-rack gun with a proper fit. But it will teach you your dimensions and feel of a proper fit.