Question on Length of Pull - The Firearms Forum

USMCSpeedy · 03-24-2012, 05:49 PM

A friend just picked up a M1 Garand and brought it over today to do a little shooting. We were both getting decent groups at 50 yards but mine would always go low and right (and not just with this rifle) while his went high and left. He said that this was because of the difference in our arm lengths and the way we pull the trigger because of it. I know Length of Pull makes a difference but I've never heard how or how to check for proper length of pull. Can someone please explain this? BTW he shoots right handed and I shoot left.

cpttango30 · 03-24-2012, 07:14 PM

To measure your lop you bend your trigger arm at a 90 deg angle and measure from the crook of the elbow to the tip of your index finger that is bent like it is pulling the trigger. That is your lop...

Albtraum · 03-24-2012, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCSpeedy

BTW he shoots right handed and I shoot left.

Maybe this. As your put tension on the trigger, you might be torque your arm in a way to make your groups the way they group.

USMCSpeedy · 03-24-2012, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpttango30

To measure your lop you bend your trigger arm at a 90 deg angle and measure from the crook of the elbow to the tip of your index finger that is bent like it is pulling the trigger. That is your lop...

Thanks for that. Something I always heard about but never knew.

myfriendis410 · 03-25-2012, 10:54 AM

I've heard that method for determining L.O.P. for decades and found that it's usually not very reliable. There are other factors that come into play besides the distance from shoulder to trigger finger. Long guns from different makers have variations in height at the back of the receiver, the height of the comb, the height of the sights, rib etc. that can dictate overall length. I favor a longer L.O.P. in a shotgun for clays as it keeps you in the gun longer when shooting. A hunting gun might favor a shorter length, especially with heavy clothing. Remington shotguns almost always require an additional inch of length for some reason.

I'm with Albtraum; left-handed vs right-handed is probably the reason for the difference.

03-24-2012, 05:49 PM	#1
USMCSpeedy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 627	Question on Length of Pull A friend just picked up a M1 Garand and brought it over today to do a little shooting. We were both getting decent groups at 50 yards but mine would always go low and right (and not just with this rifle) while his went high and left. He said that this was because of the difference in our arm lengths and the way we pull the trigger because of it. I know Length of Pull makes a difference but I've never heard how or how to check for proper length of pull. Can someone please explain this? BTW he shoots right handed and I shoot left. __________________ If all else fails, VOTE FROM THE ROOFTOPS Trying to reform a liberal is like trying to pick up a turd from the clean end. What this country needs is more family trees that will produce more lumber and fewer nuts! -->

03-24-2012, 07:14 PM	#2
cpttango30 Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stafford, VA Contributor Posts: 3,071	Re: Question on Length of Pull To measure your lop you bend your trigger arm at a 90 deg angle and measure from the crook of the elbow to the tip of your index finger that is bent like it is pulling the trigger. That is your lop...

03-25-2012, 10:54 AM	#5
myfriendis410 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Lompoc California Posts: 542	Re: Question on Length of Pull I've heard that method for determining L.O.P. for decades and found that it's usually not very reliable. There are other factors that come into play besides the distance from shoulder to trigger finger. Long guns from different makers have variations in height at the back of the receiver, the height of the comb, the height of the sights, rib etc. that can dictate overall length. I favor a longer L.O.P. in a shotgun for clays as it keeps you in the gun longer when shooting. A hunting gun might favor a shorter length, especially with heavy clothing. Remington shotguns almost always require an additional inch of length for some reason. I'm with Albtraum; left-handed vs right-handed is probably the reason for the difference. __________________ Life's too short to shoot an ugly gun.....