Thank you one and all for your responses. Gun handling/dynamics has traditionally been a subjective field. The numbers give you an objective option. I've no quarrel with those who are satisfied with subjectve understanding. I'm trying to provide an option for those who would prefer objective measures. Certainly, I've no intent to prositylize those wishing to deal only with subjective measures.
The handling numbers are to handling as stock dimensions are to gun fit. Gun dynamics is a muscle exercise on the human end. Therefore, we need information as to how much muscle effort handling the gun is going to require. Dynamically, the gun can be lifted and it can be rotated. And that is it in terms of what the human has to do to point the gun in the most beneficial direction. Humans are far to individualistic for there to be much of a "right" and "wrong" in gun handling. Also, consider that fit and handling can inprove either shooting performance or shooting fun, or both.
Weight is the measure of muscle effort needed to lift, hold, and carry a gun. Low weight requires less effort. High weight reduces recoil for any given load. Selected weight must optimize between these two requirements and base off the strength and endurance of the shooter.
Balance, along with individual hand placement, determines how much of the gun's weight is held by which hand. The hand closer to the balance point (teeter totter point) carries more of the weight. To determine this number, simply place the gun across your extended first finger, adjust until it stays level, marke the location over the middle of your finger, and measure the distance to the (front) trigger. You can be more accurate with a fulcrum edge for the teeter totter point. measure a few guns to see what you like best or shoot best.
Moment of inertia is a measure of the effort needed to accelerate the swing of the gun. If you wish to change the direction the gun is pointing, you must swing it. It take muscle effort to do so. Higher numbers take more effort and lower numbers less effort. On the other hand, the higher number guns will be less inclined to slow down or change direction if you let off the swing effort. For example, the 12 ga 34" #2 frame will require almost double the muscle effort to swing between the hands as will the 16 ga #0 frame gun; 2.4 vs 1.3. Once mounted to the shoulder, the 16 gauge can be swung with 2/3 the muscle effort of the 12 ga #2 34"; 6.49 vs 9.95. It will be easier to change the direction ansd speed of pointing the 16 gauge. The 12 gauge will be smoother, less inclined to inadvertent speed and directional changes. For most people, the 16 would be better suited to "snap" shooting and the 12 to tracking with sustained lead. While guns this different may be obvious, the numbers allow you to consider guns inbetween. Fugidaboud the dimensions of MOI - just compare the numbers.
Half weight radius is a measure of the guns compactness. Guns with a HWR less than 10 are compact. HWR's of 10 to 11 ate typical. HRW's over 11 indicate a gun with some significant weight in the stock and muzzle side of the barrels. Guns of the same weight can have differing HWR (why we can make useful gun to gun comparisons) and guns of differing weight can have the same HWR (weight is distributed similarly).
What questions do you all have?
