Ask The Instructor: Balance & Pointability

Question: In order for the gun to feel alive, where do you advise the balance point should be? Does this point depend on where the shooter places their leading hand on the forend or on anything else specific to the shooter?

Answer: The balance point is just one of three factors contributing to the “pointability,” or the feel, of a shotgun not to mention personal preference. First, you must consider the overall weight of the shotgun. Some guns are inherently heavier or lighter than others. The ideal weight will vary for different shooters, with the shooter’s overall size, build, upper body strength, and athleticism being important factors. Second, as you rightly identify, is the balance point. This is the specific point along the length of a shotgun on which the gun will balance evenly. Most of the well-recognized break-action shotguns balance somewhere around the hinge pin, located on the leading edge of the action. For autoloaders, the balance point is usually further back on the receiver, closer to the trigger guard, because of this gun’s lighter weight at the front end. Lastly, the distribution of weight, from muzzle to butt, is an important yet often ignored factor in the “pointability” of a shotgun. Two different guns can have identical weights and balance points, yet have very different feel. Let’s compare, for example, the different weight distribution between a Krieghoff K-80 and a Perazzi MX-8. Both are well-balanced, high-quality shotguns with proven performance in competition. Let’s assume that both have identical weight and balance points. The K-80 will have more weight concentrated in the middle of the gun due to the larger surface area of the action. Whereas, the weight of the MX-8 will be more widely distributed over the length of the shotgun. One is not technically better than the other. They are simply different and will thus have a different feel. Regarding the “ideal” balance point, most shooters prefer the weight between the hands, such that the shooter can move the shotgun with both hands working equally and together. So, yes, the preferred balance point could be affected by a more forward-placed positioning of the front hand, but personal preference for a lighter or heavier barrel-end of the shotgun can also be a factor.