Detailed reference for dry mounting.
The ready position.
Place the muzzles below the line of sight to the target, maintain and uninterrupted view of the target with the muzzles clearly visible in the peripheral vision. Hold the rear of the stock against your side with the elbow. The upper arm should hang vertically down, with the stock trapped gently between the forearm and your side.
The usual waiting position with the muzzles held either very high or low, whilst safe, is not a good ready position. Before beginning the mount always adopt the ready position. Some people argue that for snap shooting there is not time to do this. However, attempting to mount the gun without first gaining the ready position will make the mount less flowing and cause momentum in the gun's movement that may cause the gun to move other that in the direction of the target and will need to be overcome before firing. Also, if the mount had been practised from the ready position, the smoothest and fastest way to the target will be from that position.
The Head.
The head should not or roll onto the gun. Although it will be necessary to alter its position slightly to from your normal standing position to allow the cheek bone to sit comfortably on the comb. Some people use an extreme forward head roll, almost peering through their eye brows. This can cause difficulty focussing the eyes and increases eye strain. If you are not convinced, roll your head forward whilst reading this page. You will probably find this uncomfortable.
Holding the head at an extreme angle, especially one with the head pushed forward, increases the tension place on the vertebrae of the neck. This reduces the ability of the neck to flex efficiently during recoil and can lead to increased neck strain.
The shoulder.
Most people obtain a smoother, more consistent mount, if they slide the gun up the front of the shoulder until the comb engages under the cheekbone, and then bring the shoulder forward to increase support for the stock. Moving the shoulder forward to the gun also makes it easier to keep the stock correctly engaged in the shoulder pocket, and reduces the chance of the gun sliding off the shoulder onto the upper arm.
The gun should not be pulled back into the shoulder, although you may notice that a lot of people mount with this error.
The correct shoulder position should result in the sole of the stock resting in the shoulder pocket. That is the area between the chest and the ball of the shoulder. The inside edge of the ball of the shoulder should prevent the gun sliding out onto the arm. For most people the correct position will place the heel of the stock within a range of one inch above to one inch below the top of the shoulder.
The feet.
The feet should be placed about shoulder width apart, and result in a body to target angle of about forty five degrees at the firing position. Slightly more weight should be placed on the front foot, about 60%. This will allow the body to pivot on the front leg more easily and assist with absorbing recoil. I no longer suggest lifting the heel of the rear foot, as this can lead to the shooter being unstable during the swing.
Front hand.
The front hand should be relaxed with the gun just supported by it without gripping. The fingers should be kept off the top of the barrel to leave an unobstructed view to the target.
Rear Hand.
The rear hand should have a firm but not unduly tense grip of the gun. The thumb must wrap over the top of the grip, to allow an unstrained but secure grip to be obtained. If this is uncomfortable the grip may need altering to suit the hand.
Focus.
Keep the target in focus at all times. Do not allow your attention to be drawn to the barrels. A tennis player does not look at the racket but the ball, likewise the shooter must concentrate on the target. If focus is allowed to shift to the barrels there will be a tendency to stop the swing and thus miss behind.
Click on the links below for more information.
The Laser Gunfitting System. The Mount. Dry Mounting Practice.
Quick reference for dry mounting .
The ready position.
Place the muzzles below the line of sight to the target, maintain and uninterrupted view of the target with the muzzles clearly visible in the peripheral vision. Hold the rear of the stock against your side with the elbow. The upper arm should hang vertically down, with the stock trapped gently between the forearm and your side.
The usual waiting position with the muzzles held either very high or low, whilst safe, is not a good ready position. Before beginning the mount always adopt the ready position. Some people argue that for snap shooting there is not time to do this. However, attempting to mount the gun without first gaining the ready position will make the mount less flowing and cause momentum in the gun's movement that may cause the gun to move other that in the direction of the target and will need to be overcome before firing. Also, if the mount had been practised from the ready position, the smoothest and fastest way to the target will be from that position.
The Head.
The head should not or roll onto the gun. Although it will be necessary to alter its position slightly to from your normal standing position to allow the cheek bone to sit comfortably on the comb. Some people use an extreme forward head roll, almost peering through their eye brows. This can cause difficulty focussing the eyes and increases eye strain. If you are not convinced, roll your head forward whilst reading this page. You will probably find this uncomfortable.
Holding the head at an extreme angle, especially one with the head pushed forward, increases the tension place on the vertebrae of the neck. This reduces the ability of the neck to flex efficiently during recoil and can lead to increased neck strain.
The shoulder.
Most people obtain a smoother, more consistent mount, if they slide the gun up the front of the shoulder until the comb engages under the cheekbone, and then bring the shoulder forward to increase support for the stock. Moving the shoulder forward to the gun also makes it easier to keep the stock correctly engaged in the shoulder pocket, and reduces the chance of the gun sliding off the shoulder onto the upper arm.
The gun should not be pulled back into the shoulder, although you may notice that a lot of people mount with this error.
The correct shoulder position should result in the sole of the stock resting in the shoulder pocket. That is the area between the chest and the ball of the shoulder. The inside edge of the ball of the shoulder should prevent the gun sliding out onto the arm. For most people the correct position will place the heel of the stock within a range of one inch above to one inch below the top of the shoulder.
The feet.
The feet should be placed about shoulder width apart, and result in a body to target angle of about forty five degrees at the firing position. Slightly more weight should be placed on the front foot, about 60%. This will allow the body to pivot on the front leg more easily and assist with absorbing recoil. I no longer suggest lifting the heel of the rear foot, as this can lead to the shooter being unstable during the swing.
Front hand.
The front hand should be relaxed with the gun just supported by it without gripping. The fingers should be kept off the top of the barrel to leave an unobstructed view to the target.
Rear Hand.
The rear hand should have a firm but not unduly tense grip of the gun. The thumb must wrap over the top of the grip, to allow an unstrained but secure grip to be obtained. If this is uncomfortable the grip may need altering to suit the hand.
Focus.
Keep the target in focus at all times. Do not allow your attention to be drawn to the barrels. A tennis player does not look at the racket but the ball, likewise the shooter must concentrate on the target. If focus is allowed to shift to the barrels there will be a tendency to stop the swing and thus miss behind.
Click on the links below for more information.
The Laser Gunfitting System. The Mount. Dry Mounting Practice.
Quick reference for dry mounting .