Airgun essential: Strap-on Cheekpiece

When you need to raise your head – and your game, strap on a cheekpiece! Here’s why you might need one…

This AIM Field Sports cheekpiece has been used to deliver perfect head and eye alignment with four disparate elements: the rifle, the scope, the mounts and the shooter

What is it?

A cheekpiece sits over the comb of the stock like a saddle and is secured in place with two or more straps. It may have a pocket, sizes of which vary, making it suitable for storing anything from spare pellets to car keys or a mobile phone. While the straps may need some adjustment to ensure a perfect fit, it’s a non-permanent addition to your rifle, and can be swapped between guns.

What does it do?

A strap-on cheekpiece will raise your head, potentially enabling better head and eye alignment with the centreline of your scope. While the cheekpiece is typically made of a tough fabric like Cordura, the area in direct contact with your face will often be made of a softer, padded material, adding comfort and a little protection from the recoil of springers and gas-rams.

When should I use one?

You should always try to ensure that your eyeline coincides with the centreline of your scope. If it’s too low, you can try to raise your eyeline by raising the butt pad or the cheekpiece on the stock – if they’re adjustable – and/or by using lower mounts. If these methods aren’t available or don’t work, a strap-on cheekpiece can help provide that all-important extra height.

What should I look for?

A cheekpiece should be straightforward to fit, and should stay firmly in place while it’s being used. Most can be employed by right- or left-handed shooters, but some are more suited to right-handers, so check the right-hand side for buckles, straps, pockets or zips that might prevent you getting a comfy cheekweld if you’re a left-hander.

How do I use one?

A strap-on cheekpiece will raise your head on the stock – but only by a predetermined amount, usually set by the amount of foam used to build up the pad. Install your cheekpiece and test for head and eye alignment. If your head is still too low, you can put some packing material between the comb of the stock and the cheekpiece.


This article originally appeared in the issue 106 of Airgun Shooter magazine. For more great content like this, subscribe today at our secure online store: www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk

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