What is fit, really? If a pair of jeans are too tight, they’re uncomfortable, but still functional. They cover what’s intended. But that general understanding of “fit” does a disservice to the notion of “gun fit.” Because “gun fit” isn’t like a pair of jeans. If the fit isn’t right, the function (namely, accuracy) is compromised. 

With that in mind, we’ve put together basic guidelines to consider when purchasing a gun. Plus, if you’re purchasing a rifle or any other firearm for a young person, there are additional factors to keep in mind before making your purchase. 

Gun Fit 101

Today, there’s way too much ingenuity in gun manufacturing to purchase a firearm that doesn't fit. How do you determine proper fit? First, we start with length-of-pull. 

Length-of-pull is the distance from the butt plate to the front of the trigger. When this distance is too long for a shooter’s body, the stock will catch on your shirt, just below the pectoral muscle.  You’ll instinctively push the gun away from your body to shoulder it.

The comb, which is the top of the gun stock, must fit your facial structure. If the comb is too high, you’ll know it by feel. Plus, you won’t be able to get down on the gun enough to look down the barrel. Conversely, if the comb is too low, you’ll feel the gun stock against your upper molars when the gun is otherwise aligned properly. Or you may find yourself extending your neck to an awkward position to accommodate the low stock. A low comb can rise up and bite you during recoil.

If the pistol grip of the gun is too small, your hand will feel bunched up. If it’s too large, you’ll have trouble reaching the trigger properly. A grip that’s sized right will allow your shooting hand to align naturally, putting the trigger in the center of your index finger pad, halfway between the end of the finger and the first joint.

When You Know It's Right

Let’s quickly revisit blue jeans and proper fit. With that comparison in mind, here’s a question: how do you know when a pair of jeans fit well? You try them on, right? It’s hard to eyeball a pair of pants and know for sure if they’re right for you. It’s about the feel. Same with gun fit.

Gun Fit for Kids

Many of the tips and facts relating to women and gun fit also apply to kids and young shooters. Both groups are contending with the consequences of a smaller frame. But unlike women who typically are shooting guns too big and too heavy for them, often kids end up shooting rifles that are too small for them.

Think about it. Kids grow. Rapidly. Often, a well-meaning parent will buy a youth-model firearm for their son or daughter, only to find a short time later their child is shooting a gun that’s too small for them.

Let’s go back, one final time, to our blue-jeans analogy. If you have a kid, then you know clothing manufacturers make children’s jeans with adjustable waists. It is the BEST thing ever, and most parents secretly wish they had this feature built into their own jeans. The waistline features a strip of elastic fabric, like a narrow belt, that runs through the inside of the jean’s waistline, anchored by a small button on each side, just above the zipper. So you adjust the elastic by notching it tighter or looser and fastening it at the right length by using the small inside buttons associated with this brilliant, adjustable system.

This feature in children’s jeans shows a great amount of empathy for the parents and great ingenuity by the manufacturers. It also illustrates how youth-model guns are, by nature, guns a child won’t use for very long. And, much like jeans for your young son or daughter, aren’t worth buying without the ability to make adjustments.

Likewise, allowing quick and easy customization is one solution for fitting a child for a firearm when the child’s measurements are in constant flux. 

That’s where a system like Savage’s AccuFit really hits pay dirt. With this rifle model, the stock can be shortened to 12.5” or expanded as they grow to beyond 14.5”. This systems and similar adjustable systems like it, allow for customization without the use of a gunsmith. 

Even more, it’s so critical that the fit is right for a kid. These firearms and hunting experiences are making first impressions. No child wants to get beat up by a gun, and no child wants to work at something that’s ultimately futile. A young girl or boy needs to find some degree of success after putting in the work and practice to shoot well. This is made possible by proper gun fit and smart, innovative systems.