HOW TO SELECT A GUN. 1 9 



In order further to observe what constitutes a suita- 

 ble gun, put the barrels into the stock, throw the gun 

 to the face, and see that the eye runs along the barrel 

 to the sight in an easy and natural manner, with but 

 a slight inclination of the head. If the bend of the 

 stock suits the sportsman, his eye will meet the sight, 

 as it were, at the breech end of the barrel, the aim 

 being natural and correct. If the sight shows itself 

 where it really is, at the muzzle, it indicates that the 

 stock is too straight, and that the sportsman sees, not 

 only the sight, but too much of the top of the barrel 

 also. He must get his face lower down, and have a 

 more crooked stock. If, on the contrary, the eye 

 cannot find the sight unless the head is raised, it is 

 evidence that the stock is too crooked for the form 

 of the shooter. Long-necked and long-armed people, 

 for the reasons here named, require a more crooked 

 stock than those who have short necks and arms. 

 The sportsman who wishes to be successful in shoot- 

 ing must select with especial care a gun that shall 

 suit his strength, form, and style. If he desires to 

 have a new gun made for him, he can almost always 

 find at the gunmakers' or at the warehouses some gun 

 that will meet his wants and come up to his face as 

 desired ; and the angle for the new gun can easily be 

 copied. 



Have bar-locks in the gun of as good quality as 

 can be afforded, and see that they pull off at about an 

 even pressure. This is essential, for in shooting on 

 the wing, if one trigger bears a pound more pressure 

 than the other, its tendency is to throw the position 



