I needed a gun which can handle steel and recently bought a CZ-USA Hammer Classic. It has a pistol grip so thick that even mild target loads bash my middle finger badly on the back of the trigger guard, so I need to open up the radius on this grip or cut it straight. This gun will be used mostly for ducks, and it seems that most traditional fowlers have POW rather than straight hand grips. I shoot both types and don’t have a strong preference, but is there a rationale for preferring a semipistol grip over straight for heavier loads?

Thanks.

A pistol grip or POW grip makes it easier to haul the butt back into your shoulder for shooting heavier loads.

Absolutely, LGF. I have straight grip, POW and pistol grip waterfowl S x Ss, and can use 3" loads in them all. I usually shoot 3" shells at ducks, loaded with 1 1/4 oz. shot at anywhere from 1280 to 1450 fps. The recoil is handled MUCH better with a pistol grip, or at least a POW. I handle recoil very well, never has bothered me. What DOES bother me is the extra time it takes to recover from the first shot and get on target for the second when using a straight grip and heavier loads.

I know Nash Buckingham used a straight gripped Fox with 1 3/8 to 1 5/8 oz. loads, very well it is said, but he had big hands and he was a big, strong man. I have noticed that from the many pictures of him I have. I am not a wimp, but I absolutely cannot get on target as quickly with the second shot from a straight gripped gun and heavy loads. It is very noticeable to me. And they have never recoiled the guard into my finger and hurt it.

All my best, SRH

BoWhoop had a straight grip!! From the original Derrydale edition of Ole Miss' --

Cheaper and easier than stock work ...

I use both straight and POW grips. My favourite goose gun in a lay down blind is a 26" barrelled Citori Lightning with straight grip. I put a mercury recoil reducer in the stock and I shoot it very well. No problems with a second shot or getting on target. I do find stand shooting (trap, skeet or clays) I have some problems with a straight stock on the follow up shot but I blame that on too much pre-visualization of the targets and stance rather than just getting the shooting done.