TargetTalk

Although reluctant to just throw this out into cyberspace, I am officially out of answers, frustrated and in need of assistance.

Scenario - I purchased a custom Thune prone jacket last year and just cannot get it sorted out. My old off-the-shelf jacket is rapidly deteriorating and I will have to make a change soon whether I want to or not. I have attempted to replicate my position and feel with the new jacket without any success. My hold is not as good as measured by SCATT results. If I do get some good results, it is very temporary and do not hold up on the following days. I have got it close, but in live fire end up with some unexplained flyers so don't feel confident to use in a match condition.

I have varied button positions, sling attachments and every adjustment I can find. I will say that I am very systematic about this and it hasn't been just random or short-term changes.

This is my first new coat change. Anyone with prior similar experiences that can offer some suggestions on how to proceed? I would be most grateful for any help. Please don't suggest I talk to my coach. I am my coach.

Thanks - Dennis L

Hi there,I have had the same issues with that manufacturer.Mine was so far away from the measurements it was a joke.To be fair it was remade at no cost.That said it was totally their fowl up.I would suggest that you request the measurements that they worked from to be sent back to you so they can be checked by someone with a few clues.Im sure that they would have them unless they are playing hardball and not admitting fault or at leasty a portion of.Obviously you would need to be wearing the same underclothing you were measured in.The one other thing I would suggest you confirm is how they expect the measurements to be taken.I would think they would like all sizes to be a snug fit with the tape.They allow for all tolerances and a lot of people forget that.
If all else fails.Ring Ursula at MOUCHE and she will sort you with a premium mtm jacket.

All the best,Andrew

Not sure what to suggest other than as Andrew mentions, double check the measurements are right. I had a Thune jacket modified by a lady in the UK who specialises in shooting clothing tailoring so mine now fits lovely. Suggest you at least get another experienced shooter to look over it whilst you wear it, to see how it fits everywhere, from shoulders to back and sides etc.

Rob.

how long did you have to wait before receiving your jacket after the measurement were taken?

How long have you had the jacket and how much time wearing it in position have you had?.


Have you lost/gained any weight or have you had any physical changes/injuries since taking the measurements ?

You dont say if the jacket actually fits, if it does then its possibly just time in position and some patience to work things through.

A new jacket is a major change. If you only get into position a couple of hours a week it could take several months before you start to see results.

try and get someone to look you over in position a second pair of eyes is always helpful tho he/she will never be able to see 'your feel' of the jacket they might see something that points you in the right direction

Good shooting

Remmy

Dennis
It may be adjustments, buttons, etc, but is more likely to be the fit from how its made.
You need the expertise of an experienced shooting jacket tailor more than a coach, here in the UK we have a wonderful lady (who Rob referred to) she has never shot but has that superb ability to see and understand where and how the jacket needs to fit and then alter it so that it does. She supplies her own jackets but sells on her personal fitting service so that they really do fit. Correcting other makers made to measure jackets to truly fit is also a major part of her business, so you are not alone in this problem.
Other than a flight into Birmingham, England , spending a day with Pippa who would alter it to fit, then flying home I think you need to find some one in the US who has the same expertise.
Best of Luck

Another question is, who took the measurements?

Tim S wrote:Another question is, who took the measurements?

Good point. I have a recently purchased, made to measure, prone only, Kurt Thune jacket and it fits pretty well, but I was measured very carefully by an experienced supplier and ex-England coach, plus the photos that KT now require. He also put the buttons in (with me inside it) after it arrived. Not to say that it wouldn't benefit from this nice lady's attentions in one or two respects, but overall I'm quite pleased with it.

I did not mean to imply that the jacket is not properly sized. I am the same weight before, during and currently so that is not a factor. I have always worn the exact same underpinnings - Underarmour compression shirt and a Sauer sweater. The coat looks and feels as if it fits properly and was made according to correct specs. Shooting prone, I just button the top two buttons (others not even placed on the coat).

Obviously being a new coat, it is far stiffer than my old worn out jacket which is still heavy, but floppy. In position, my hold is not as good and I get occasional flyers with the new jacket. I cannot seem to get the same feel in position either. Also, hard to tell in comparison if the cuff on the sling is the same height/location on my sleeve as with the old one.

Dennis L

I think photos might help. Not posted here, but for you to pore over. Have someone take photos of you in position with each jacket; lots of photos would be good, especially close-up shots of your shoulders and sling arm. Compare the two sets and see what is different.

As you say the new coat is very different to the old one and will feel different. I'd suggest you train in the new one at least once a week just to get used to it, and stick with the old one for important stuff. I'd suggest it could take up to 6-months to get properly used to it and to forget you're wearing a new jacket. Lastly don't forget that because it feels different your shooting will be affected because mentally you are more aware of it and thinking about it. You need to train in it to forget it and just shoot.

Rob.

Time, more time and more more time shooting with it will brings results. It may takes many months to make a new jacket feels like a second skin.

Obviously you will have to make small adjustment to your old position, sling or hand-stop set-up.

Stay positive, you will learn lots of stuff during the process!

Good luck