I would like to suprise my father with a new shotgun. Knowing his prefrence for action and gauge, what else should I find out from him before purchase?
I have heard that lenghth of pull is important but have NO idea how to measure this.
Thanks!!

On production guns, length of pull, DAC, DAH are all pretty much defined by brand. For instance, I find that Remington and Beretta shotguns have too high a comb (part that your cheek rests on) for me. Most of my shotguns are Brownings and Winchesters. If you're considering a custom gun, all bets are off and you can specify what you want.

If this is not his first shotgun, but it is his first shotgun in that action type, I'd start by looking for guns with similar stock measurements to his current favorite.

Let us know what he has and what action type you're considering.

Steve

In addition to the above post.
Find out if he likes choke tubes or not. I like'em in some of my gun but hate'em in others. You may want to upgrade to a premimum recoil pad. What kind of stock finish does he like glossy, semi gloss, matte? Dark wood, light wood, or synthetic?

Also remember that a length of pull "too long" is easily fixed, but "too short" can be harder.

If you want to, you can give him a "fitting" by a custom stock maker, who will build him a stock to his measurements and shooting style. See, for example, Wenig.com. HTH, Dutch.

You're to be commended for your thought and your generosity, but buying a gun for someone else is like trying to pick a wife for them (only a little more personal ). My suggestion is to buy him a gift certificate at a gun store you know and trust and let him pick his own.