Thread: Rifle grip shape - Why?

I got to wondering today. Why are most factory stocks the shape they are?
Specifically the pistol grip area.
(note, this is related to bolt action. Leaver action and semi auto are excluded from the below brain fart)

It all started with something like this guy:


Then things progressed in the 15th Century:



Someone got a sore hand and needed more accuracy so this happened around the 18th Century:



Have some world wars and things looked like so:



This is where things get interesting. The military decided to go with a more upright grip:




Yes it's a sharpshooter platform. Yes I understand the benefits of having a pistol grip on a rapid fire infantry weapon. (AR shape and the like)



I have noticed the American market seems to like it more than European market.
CZ 527 American:



CZ527 Lux:





My burning question is, why do most sporting firearms have a fairly swept back grip? Personally I don't find it overly comfortable for standing or prone shooting.