Pitch, or stand, is the final element of gun fit. Pitch in its most simple terms is the angle at which the butt of the stock is cut. This measurement is taken various ways. Pitch can be measured by standing the gun on its butt next to a wall and measuring the distance that the barrels are from the wall. Pitch can be measured more precisely in degrees from the barrel.
Pitch is usually downwards.
The proper pitch can make a gun much more comfortable to shoot. By altering the pitch we are trying to make full contact with the whole butt of the gun in the shoulder pocket, thus distributing the recoil over a larger area and decreasing perceived recoil. Pitch can also influence shot placement to a small degree. All guns are not created equal. The fit that is correct for one gun may not be for another.