Jezails usually have what seem to be unusually long barrels and of a higher caliber than other frontier guns - as a result of their purely military use. The added length also made reloading easier from horseback, as the butt stock would rest upon the ground while the muzzle would be at eye level. It has been speculated that the highly curved stock was tucked under the arm and cradled tightly against the body, as opposed to being held to the shoulder like a standard musket or rifle.
