Discover the transformational impact of custom-fit shotguns for women. Dive into Upland Gun Company’s expertise in crafting shotguns that enhance accuracy and boost confidence.
When you shoot, do you miss more than hit your target? Do you find yourself constantly adjusting when mounting your shotgun? Do you end up with bruises on your shoulder or cheek after shooting? If you answered yes to any of these, it might not be your ability to shoot but rather the gun fit causing the problem.
I grew up in a family of hunters and started hunting at a young age, so shooting a firearm is nothing new. I took a trap shooting class in college and continued to shoot well after I graduated. In the fall, I spent much of my time chasing waterfowl and upland birds but struggled to find a gun that fit me, ultimately settling for one that was too big. I fought to mount my shotgun quickly and found myself constantly adjusting, which meant I was one of the last people to fire a shot out of the goose blind, yielded a less-than-desirable trap score, and disappointed my dog when I missed a bird. Not only that, but I have had my fair share of bruises on my shoulder and cheek and sore arms after carrying a gun for hours. I became frustrated, and my confidence in my shooting and ability as a hunter was affected. I am here to tell you, ladies, that a solution exists, and that is Upland Gun Company. Upland Gun Company stands above the rest. They design and build a shotgun from your measurements for you. They work alongside R.M.F. Armi in Italy, an arms manufacturer that has been making quality guns for over 65 years. They take pride in their work and understand the importance of gun fit.
Why is shotgun fit so important?
If you want to improve your shooting and feel confident, you must get a gun that fits you. Most of the time, a poorly fitted gun is the reason for the misses. Most firearms are made to fit the average male, while we all know women’s anatomy is much different. Women tend to have shorter arms, smaller hands, and our skeletal structure differs. To take that even further, every woman’s shape is different. So, even when you see a gun advertised as a woman’s gun, it does not mean it will fit you any better. Women tend to lack confidence and tend to shy away from hunting with others out of fear of failure or being embarrassed if they miss. Ladies, it is time to take the leap and get a gun that works for you.
An adequately fitted gun will help improve your overall performance in the field and at the range. Your gun fit should be just as crucial as your shoe fit. Think about what it feels like to wear shoes that are too big. It’s more challenging to walk and run, leading to foot, knee, and back pain. A gun that is too big is the same. It can lead to sore arms, bruised shoulders, and a sore back. Your gun should be comfortable and not cause discomfort.
One of the biggest reasons a fitted gun is necessary is time. Typically, you have very little time to mount your gun, find your target, and shoot. The longer this takes, the more misses you will make. You fumble and adjust, and by the time you can get a shot off, it’s too late. If a gun fits you well, it should be one smooth movement, and you should not have to adjust or think about the process. You will have a higher success rate if you can improve comfort and speed to your mounting position. Your confidence as a shooter will improve, and you will become more proficient in the sport.
First Encounter with Upland Gun Company
I attended Pheasant Fest in Minnesota and saw they would have a booth there. At the time, I didn’t know much about the company besides what I saw on social media. I was looking to buy another gun and had done the Google search “Best Women Shotguns” because I was desperate to find something that would fit me better. Not only am I petite, but I am a lefty. Being a left-handed shooter limited me even more. There wasn’t much out there for me, and I pushed off buying one. While at Pheasant Fest, I stopped in at the booth and was greeted by Jerry. He was excited to talk with me, and you could see his passion for the company. He handed me his wife’s gun, and I couldn’t believe how it felt. I was relieved and excited to have found a gun company that understands the need for a properly fitted gun. They are changing the game for women shooters. No other gun maker has this ability to custom fit and make a gun that works specifically to your needs. Now, I know some people think I am crazy for spending a little more on a gun, but here’s the thing. I spend money on all sorts of things that go bad, and a gun will last forever. Why not make it more enjoyable when you spend most of your time hunting and shooting?
How to get started
First, contact Upland Gun Company and get signed up for a gun fitting with Del. You can email or call them at info@uplandguncompany.com or 218-760-8009. Next, visit the website https://uplandguncompany.com/ and start researching which shotgun you may want. Decide if you want a side x side or an over under and which gauge will fit your needs. They offer 28-, 20-, 16-, and 12-gauge options. You can build your shotgun on their website, and if you have any questions, UGC is available and ready to talk with you. One of the unique things about Upland Gun Company is you get to pick out your metal, wood, and accents, along with any engravings you may want. You can start ordering before the gun fitting, which is very simple. Go online and submit your order for the shotgun you want. Nick Larson will reach out to you to confirm all the details. You must put fifty percent down when ordering and the other fifty percent after the shotgun arrives. When you finish that, they will send the order to R.F.M. in Italy to start working on the metal.
What to expect during the fitting
The gun fitting blew me away. Del Whitman is extremely knowledgeable and is a very experienced gunsmith. He explains everything he does and why. He even went to the extent of making diagrams and graphics to make it so anyone could understand it. I learned a lot from him, and the process was fascinating. Del designed his own adjustable stock or try-gun to get the most detailed and specific measurements during your fitting. It makes him stand above and beyond most gunsmiths. Read about it here (https://shootingsportsman.com/another-try-at-a-try-gun/ ).
Del first explains the nine measurements he will take throughout the fitting. He then goes over and demonstrates the fundamentals for proper shooting stance. Once you have this down, he will go over how to mount your gun correctly. As you practice mounting your gun, Del is constantly assessing and adjusting. As he adjusts, he educates you on why he is making those changes. I tend to mount my gun high on my shoulder and lean back. My poor habits were due to shooting a heavy shotgun, one that was too big for me, and my body structure. Once you have the mount down, you will mount your gun and shoot. Del will make any needed adjustments, and you will shoot again. You go through this process until everything looks good. I was astonished at how even the most minor adjustments made a world of difference in the fit and feel of the gun. Even if you choose not to purchase a gun, I think getting at least fitted and learning from Del is a great idea.
If you are still wondering what a fitting would entail, you can watch this video: https://uplandguncompany.com/learn-about-shotgun-fit-with-del-whitman/
What to expect after the fitting
After your fitting, they send the measurements to R.F.M. to continue the building process. About two weeks later, you will get an email from Nick showing you all the wood options you can choose from. The wood on these guns is absolutely stunning and one of a kind. There are multiple grades of wood that you can choose from. The higher the grade, the more it will cost you. However, even the most basic wood options have a lot of character. After you have chosen your wood, there isn’t much left to do except wait! Since these guns are entirely custom and built one at a time, it takes about six months to have your new gun in your hands. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my Venus 16 gauge and look forward to chasing pheasants and grouse with it. Working with Jerry, Nick, Brenda, Dan, and Del at Upland Gun Company was nothing short of amazing.
This is excellent! We had fittings done with Joel Loftus and he also accounted for a higher comb and proper head alignment. We are working out details for a Monte Carlo stock with Jerry and the folks at RFM. We are excited to do this project with such a great company of people.