TargetTalk

Simple questions, just out of curiosity,

When did the proibition of the thumb hole stocks started?
Was it at the same time for all rifles (air, 22's, centerfire)?
What was the reasoning at the time for that (if any...)?

Thanks!

Rmca,

I believe, it would have started with 300M Standard rifle. This was created in the 1950s/60s(?) to replace the old UIT Army rifle discipline, as so many countries had switched to semi-auto service rifles. 300m Standard rifle rules then influenced 50m Smallbore Standard rifle, and then air rifle.

The reasoning was the discipline's origin in military shooting. In Army Rifle competitors used their national service rifle (or the host nation's service rifle). You shot the rifle as issued. 300m Standard rules allowed civilian made rifles, but stipulated the shape had to be conventional (i.e. no thumbhole).

Thumbhole stocks were allowed in 300m and 50m Free Rifle matches, but these had always allowed individually fitted rifles.