Trigger pull length

[Stoner creek]

 There was a lively discussion on another thread about trigger pull length. I’m curious about such things so I’m going to ask; What is your favorite trigger pull length? I’ll kick it off and say that my favorite trigger pull length is 13 3/8”. I’m 6’4” and very big in structure. I’m a rifle shooter and generally shoot offhand.
W

[Tony N]

13 1/2” is the most comfortable for me, I’m guessing that I could get used to a slightly longer pull given enough time

Tony

[whetrock]

I'm 6', and I like 14 1/2" pull on a double set. That's what I built on my squirrel rifle. But I like a shorter pull on a simple trigger.

[Daniel Coats]

Two parts to it how the gun fits you and how the gun looks. LOP affects everything!

13 3/8 to 13 7/8 works for me depending. The one I'm building today is 13 1/2

[whetrock]

Length of a person's arms is usually directly related to their height. But LOP is not just height. It's also his build (thin or thicker bodied), the size of his hands and length of fingers, and the way he likes to hold his elbow (relaxed or lifted).

And, of course, the style of rifle matters (straight stock such as a Lancaster, or a pronounced drop as in most of the SMR style rifles). As probably everyone knows by now, the SMRs with a pronounced drop and a lot of curve in the butt plate are better shot off the bicep, with the rifle held across the body, rather than pointed forward from the body, so they sometimes require a slightly longer pull.

Whether you intend to punch paper or shoot upward also matters. What I like in a rifle and what I want in a shotgun are not the same.

[Daryl]

And, of course, the style of rifle matters (straight stock such as a Lancaster, or a pronounced drop as in most of the SMR style rifles). As probably everyone knows by now, the SMRs with a pronounced drop and a lot of curve in the butt plate are better shot off the bicep, with the rifle held across the body, rather than pointed forward from the body, so they sometimes require a slightly longer pull.

Yes- also makes a difference.

6'1" and 218 pounds. 34" sleeve - large hands, long fingers.
I have a double set trigger rifle that is uncomfortable to shoot and it has a 14" LOPull- too bloody long.
My SMR with DS triggers pulls at 13 3/8" - nice to shoot aim and hold. The toe is in my arm-pit.
My .69 with simple trigger has a 13 5/8" LOPull and is VERY comfortable to shoot. It is shot off the pec (chest) muscle. I hold it like s modern shotgun- more straight to the target
and it points like a shotgun. Sights are aligned on the target as soon as the butt is in the "pocket". Within reason, it can be shot like a shotgun - poke and pull.

[john bohan]

 13in works for me, I'm 5ft 10 in,but when you put on your winter clothes to go hunting you length is shorter.

[Spalding]

6’2” with orangutan arms. I build mine a little over 14”.

Bob

[MuskratMike]

Whetrock, posted a great answer to your question. At 6'1" and 240 I was either blessed or cursed with very long arms. I usually have my gun maker make the L.O.P. between 13 3/4" and 14". Some of the determination will come from the stocks architecture and the school of gun making I am having built. Great question, I will be following this post.

[Eric Kettenburg]

I'm 5'11" and still managing to stay on the leaner side of things.  I'm not crazy picky and can be happy with anything 12 3/4" to 13 3/4" or so.  I like right about in the middle there but let's not overlook that the actual stock shape and architecture is going to affect how any given piece feels.

[StevenV]

6' 180 lbs. 13 5/8" is my sweet spot  Steve

[reddogge]

5' 7" (used to be 5'9") and like 13 1/2". I  built a NW trade gun in the 80s that fits me to a T in LOP and drop. My sight picture is the same as my favorite shotguns.

[Bill in Md]

I'm 5'11" and still managing to stay on the leaner side of things.  I'm not crazy picky and can be happy with anything 12 3/4" to 13 3/4" or so.  I like right about in the middle there but let's not overlook that the actual stock shape and architecture is going to affect how any given piece feels.

what this guy said!.............I would add a heavy wool coat on a November morning can alter things....

[B.Habermehl]

I’m. 5’9” short arms and legs. Heavy chest, short neck. 13 to 13.25 fits me with a flatter butt. Shouldered in the pocket. BJH

[Scota4570]

I'm 5'10" and 220#.  I vote 13 1/2 LOP. 

I made my early ML rifle with stocks that emulated modern long guns.  So, 14 1/4" LOP and modern stock drop. .

I built a couple of Kibler kits.  I found that the shorter LOP and more drop a the comb was more comfortable.  I Modified several of my old builds. 

An Armstrong and a Hawken remain to long.  I do not shoot them anymore, they feel like I am fighting something. 

With the longer and heavier barrels bringing the center of gravity back helps with off hand stability.  Long stocks now feel awkward.  I strain more to hold it up.  In service rifle competition many good shooters use a telescoping stock.  Making the stock short for off hand is an advantage.   It just hangs in the pocket really nice and steady.  Bring the center of gravity baks seems to be important.

I also shoot skeet.  I shortened and dropped the comb on a superposed.  Sure you can contort you head to see down the rib but not me.  IT was not repeatable and I could not do it quickly for the second shot.  I shot high left to often.   

Somehow getting old made me more picky about stock fit. 

[okawbow]

I have an original Bedford County rifle by George Fay that has a 12 1/2” lop. I’m 5’11” and that rifle shoulders and sights just fine for me. It works with the extreme drop Bedfords have. I made a Bedford copy and made the pull 13” and it’s the best offhand rifle I’ve ever had.

[Eric Krewson]

I used a "try" stock to determine my correct trigger pull which turned out to be 13.5", I figured out the best drop for me as well, I think it is 2 3/4". When I shoulder one the guns I made with my eyes closed then open my eyes, the sights are in perfect alignment.

[Daryl]

That's the test, Erik.

[P.W.Berkuta]

For me it depends on the style of the rifle - I do best on average from 13" to 13-1/2".

[J.D.]

Some years ago, this topic piqued my interest, so I began to measure the the length of pull of military rifles and muskets to see how they stacked up to modern ideas of rifle "fit." Every single military arm measured, ranging from an 1842 musket, 1863 rifle musket, 1884 trapdoor Springfield, 1903-A3 Springfield, Krag-Jorgensen rifle, M-14, and an M 16 A-1, all had lengths of pull of 13 inches to 13 1/4 inches. The amazing thing is, every single trooper, of every size and shape, from the 1840s to the Vietnam era could, and has shot millions of these old guns, quite effectively, with no problems.

IMHO, based on my research, the length of pull controversy is a non issue. Personally, I prefer nothing longer than 13 1/2 inches, though 13 inches is good too.
J.D.

[flinter49]

6' tall and 185#. Prefer 13 3/8" trigger pull.

[Dave Patterson]

My wife says my clothing size is "gorilla petite":  6' 1", 150#, with 36" sleeves; long arms, long neck, long legs and a very short upper body for my height.  Shooting offhand with a bicep hold, my best LOP is 13 1/2 - 13 5/8", depending on the rifle's weight and balance point. 

[Daryl]

Seems to me, this same subject elicited responses of many over 14" and even to 15", last time - or perhaps 2 times ago.
Might have been a different forum, even.

[Stoner creek]

Anything past 14” is freakishly long for the average adult male.

[Bill in Md]

Anything past 14” is freakishly long for the average adult male.

Agreed....If held the way a Longrifle should be held, there is no need for long trigger pulls, even for very tall men.