length of pull
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.{{cite web |url=https://artoftherifle.com/rifle-fit-length-of-pull/2012/02/rifle-fit-length-of-pull.html |title=Rifle Fit: Length of Pull |last=Dow |first=Todd |website=Art of the Rifle |date=27 February 2012 |access-date=29 May 2019 }}
Variation
Many rifles and shotguns are manufactured with a standard length of pull assumed to fit most shooters. This is often approximately {{cvt|13.5|in|cm}} for rifles and about {{cvt|2|cm|1|order=flip}} longer for shotguns.{{cite web |url=https://goneoutdoors.com/how-to-measure-length-of-pull-for-shotguns-12668809.html |title=How to Measure Length of Pull for Shotguns |last=Oruc |first=Emrah |website=Gone Outdoors |access-date=29 May 2019 }} 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.{{cite web |url=https://kickeezproducts.com/most-asked-adjusting-length-of-pull-lop/ |title=Adjusting Length of Pull (LOP) |publisher=KICK-EEZ |access-date=29 May 2019 }} Some sources{{cite web |url=http://www.gunstocksinc.com/web_pages/Plate-pics/LOP-Measurement/how_to_measure_your_lop.htm |title=How to measure your LOP |website=gunstocksinc.com |access-date=29 May 2019 }} 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 sources{{cite web |url=https://www.policeone.com/police-products/firearms/articles/248146006-The-more-you-know-Length-of-pull/ |title=The more you know: Length of pull |last=Rose |first=Steve |website=PoliceOne |access-date=29 May 2019 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/You-and-me-and-the-LOP-Length-of-Pull-Page1.htm |title=You and me and the LOP - Length of Pull |last=Hanus |first=Bill |publisher=Gundogs Online |access-date=28 May 2019 }} suggest a more appropriate determination may be made using a non-firing "try-gun" resembling a firearm with an adjustable buttstock.{{cite book |last=Craige |first=John Houston |title =The Practical Book of American Guns |publisher =Bramhall House |date =1950 |location =New York |page =257}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://ospschool.com/sample-knowledge/articles/101-gun-fit |title=Gun Fit |last=Ash |first=Gil |website=OSP School |access-date=29 May 2019 }}