Having been both a serious competitive shotgunner and a serious bird hunter/wayterfowler I can ditto what WTS just posted. I do not agree that a straight grip is faster, or more consistent.
Control of the shotgun is of the utmost importance for both. Having fairly tried both, in both disciplines, I'm pistol grip for anything with any hint of recoil.
And, anyone who has ever hunted wild quail and woodcock knows the importance of a quick mount.
Edited to add: Perfecting the move/mount on a flushing bird is the key to quickness. Too many people are wound up like a spring when expecting a flush, and they try to shoot too quickly. That often makes for bad form and results in a miss. There's an old adage I remind myself of constantly when hunting behind pointing dogs . . . . "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast".
Last edited by Stanton Hillis; 12/10/25 06:48 AM. Reason: add. info
