{"id":407940,"date":"2023-08-29T13:00:54","date_gmt":"2023-08-29T18:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/?p=407940"},"modified":"2024-12-27T12:23:48","modified_gmt":"2024-12-27T18:23:48","slug":"gunmag-101-length-of-pull","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/gunmag-101-length-of-pull\/","title":{"rendered":"GunMag 101: Length of Pull"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether you\u2019re in the market for a new long gun or you\u2019re relatively new to the shooting sports, you\u2019ve probably been hearing a lot of phrases and terminology you don\u2019t quite understand. Or maybe you know what certain words mean, generally, but aren\u2019t positive how they apply to your gun. One such term is “length of pull.” You\u2019ve probably seen it around, but do you know what it means? We\u2019re going to explain length of pull and why it matters to you as a shooter.<\/p>\n

\"length
This image demonstrates length of pull measurements. (Photo credit: CC Skeet)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What is length of pull?<\/h2>\n

Length of pull, which is often shortened as LOP, is a term referring to the distance between the trigger and the rearmost, furthest edge of the butt of the gun. This term is specific to long guns and it’s used most commonly with shotguns, but is also often used when discussing bolt-action rifles. Sometimes you\u2019ll see LOP being used to explain the dimensions of an AR platform rifle as well.<\/p>\n

The length of pull measurement is typically given in inches. To find the length of pull, a measurement is taken from the face of the trigger to the very back of the stock (usually the center of the buttstock, always at the furthest edge). This tells you the length you\u2019ll have to reach for the trigger when the long gun is shouldered.<\/p>\n

\"rifle
Rifle stocks vary, so while there is a standard or average length of pull, it varies by gun. (Photo credit: HS Precision)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Does length of pull vary?<\/h2>\n

Yes, there can be different length of pull measurements on various models of long guns. You see quite a bit of LOP listed around 13.5 inches, but there\u2019s no rule saying it must be that distance. Also, LOP can be changed on many guns through the use of buttpad spacers or simply by adjusting the stock (if the gun has an adjustable, telescoping stock).<\/p>\n

Youth-length long guns are made with a shorter length of pull. While this can vary, the average length of pull on a youth long gun is around 12.5 inches. This might not seem like a huge difference, but that inch really does have an impact on comfort and control during live fire.<\/p>\n

Why does length of pull matter?<\/h2>\n

When the LOP on a gun is entirely the wrong length for the shooter, it can cause issues with comfort, control, and accuracy. How much it affects the shooter depends on just how far off length of pull is, but issues related to incorrect LOP include:<\/p>\n