A proper fitting is always the best course of action, whether you buy custom to you or modify one already done.
That said fitting is an art.
First it depends on the shooter consistently shooting in one style or another. If you don't mount the gun consistently then fitting is a waste of time.
Second fitting works best for firing with similar clothing on similar targets. You can't expect the fitting done in a light shirt will fit the same as when you have are wearing a parka. Nor can you expect if your fitting was for upland shooting going away targets up close that it will be the same for Tower Shooting.
Lastly the fitter varies both in his skill in determining what works best for you and your situation. The previous poster is correct about O/U fitting not transferable to SxS as the guns have different recoil dynamics.
Once a gun is right for you and you are performing well with it stay with it. I have had four guns fitted over the years, two have been resounding successes and I cannot be happier. One was ok (I probably did not shot it enough and it is gone to a new home now) and one the verdict is out still (because I do not shot it enough).
I have been very happy with the money I spent getting fitted. At the end of the day you are the only judge as to whether you are shooting the gun you have properly or not. This game is part science, part art, and within that psychological.
Now comes the question of applying your fitted dimensions to a newly built gun, versus bending a gun already on hand. I would feel comfortable with either course if money was not a big deal. I say that because there is a possibility that the bespoke gun may have slightly different handling characteristics and though likely close in fit, might still need fine tuning of being bent just a bit. Then again a gun brought off the rack and bent could need fine tuning as well or even spring back a bit and need rebending.
The comment that practice is the most important aspect of shotgunning is in the ballpark. Fitting is the polish, targets shot is the body upon which the polish is applied.
Lastly the difference of $1,000 dollars for the gun is like the difference of $200 for a hunting dog versus $1,000. Over the life of the gun or dog if you hold onto it and hunt for years the money you spend feeding it, hunting it, and caring for it will dwarf the difference. If you have the money spend it wisely, but don't be penny cheap consider the whole investment. If the $1,000 is too dear then gamble but the bending will eat some of the saving. I often joke that my guns may be worth far more than my truck, but the money and time spent playing with them is twenty times their value.
There are several good books on fitting or with discussions of fitting, this include Michael Yardley's Gunfitting , the Quest for Prefection, Arthur Hearn's Shooting And Gunfitting, Tom Deck's Orvis Guide to Gunfitting, and there are others I do not recall.
Last edited by old colonel; 11/14/13 07:45 PM.