How effective are comb raisers?

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This gun is too low in the comb - note how the master eye has dropped from view.

Thursday, 21 June 2007

I want to raise the height of my comb and see that you can buy off the shelf raisers. How effective are they?

Tuition
JOHN BIDWELL says: The sort of comb-raiser you talk about can be a useful stick on accessory when a gun stock really is too low. By raising the comb you are now able to keep your master eye in alignment with the target over the rib, when the gun is mounted. It helps ensure you do not lose sight of the bird when the stock meets your face.

If your gun does have a low comb and the master eye loses sight of the target, your other eye will take control of muzzle alignment and send the shot wide of the mark.

Yes, comb raisers are useful things – but they should only be viewed as a temporary measure. If, by raising the comb height, you find it easier to hit targets, your next job is to have the wood raised permanently by a professional gunsmith. An experienced fitter will be able to determine by how much the comb needs to be raised.

There are some neat comb raising devices available, but steer clear of those that not only add height, but unwanted width at the point you place your face. Too much bulk could affect eye placement in relation to cast.

If you think comb height (or lack of it) is an issue, then you can add thin strips of suitable packing material to the top of the stock and hold them down with insulating tape. By raising the height a little at a time you will soon settle on a happy compromise, without affecting the gun's cast in any way.

Got a question? Contact: sportinggun@ipcmedia.com or Sporting Gun, PO Box 157, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 9FU