Heel, comb, fit, cheek piece, gas feed, and Inertia feed.
OK. Class is in session.
Assume you have the shotgun shouldered:
The
heel of a shotgun is the top rear of the stock, right by your shoulder, the square end of the stock.
The
toe of the shotgun is at the bottom of the stock near your shoulder, the pointy end of the stock.
The
comb is the top of the stock from the grip area back to the heel.
The
cheek piece is is a raised area where your cheek rests when you fire the shotgun. Many shotguns do not have cheek pieces, and you rest your cheek on the comb.
Gas operated means some of the burning gases from firing a shell are bled off to operate the bolt in a semi-automatic shotgun. Basically, the bolt is blasted backwards to open it, then closed under spring pressure.
Inertia operated is a trademarked term meaning the action opens under spring impulse after the gun has fired. No manual or gas action is required. This is a relatively new technology patented by Benelli and sold under various brand names controlled by Benelli.
Before the next class, please send me one example of each type described, freight prepaid. Class dismissed.
