Do lefty's ever get any love?

J

Jayph

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My fathers long time best friend and hunting partner has tasked me with finding a good deal on a left handed rifle for his son as a surprise for this years hunt. It's hard enough trying to find left handed models never mind getting a good price or sale. Never dreamed it would be this hard. You lefty's out there have any hidden places to shop?

***before anybody says the obvious of just learn to shoot the right handed rifles. His son has shot both and preferred the left handed models so that is what he would like to buy him*****
 
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unfortunately Remington and Savage have cut the left hand offerings especially with wood stocks. I probably bought the last LH Model 14 in223 this spring. On the plus side all of the Montana Rifle offerings are available in the same models and calibers as the right hand versions. Not an entry level but for $1300 you can get a blued or stainless guns in a wide choice of calibers that are not made by all the others. The action is that to me is mother and feels to lock up more solidly. They took what they figured were the best design features of the Model 70 and mauser and combined them. Worth considering unless you want an entry level gun and I believe the Ruger american is soo to be available in LH but the choice of calibers is restricted,
 
I found left hand options I just noticed that they are always full price and not a single one was on sale. Example was one place had up to $100 off tikka but not including the left hand models. (don't pm I have been through so many websites I don't remember who)
 
European origin builders (e.g. CZ, Tikka, Sako, Mauser) seem to have better maintained offerings in left hand versions.

I spent quite a while looking for a left hand Sako 75 before I finally sourced one.
 
I thought you were reffering to Leftist leaning political supporters when I saw the thread.
To which I politely was going to reply "GO F**K YOURSELF!" :D lol

In all seriousness though, I have nothing productive to add to this thread........I'll see myself out ;)
 
I bought a Ruger Scout, partially because it was available in lefty. You just have to keep looking, they are out there.
- Keep an eye out in the EE. Nice lefty bolt rifles come by fairly often.
- Search websites that have decent inventory available online. For example, here is a list from Ellwood Epps with a simple filter to get LEFT in the model. 35 rifles to look at straight away.

Good luck!
 
There is a bit of a shortage of information from the OP on where will he be typically hunting...? And what is he hunting...? If we knew if it's a deer/ elk/ moose gun it would be easier to help out as caliber could be a consideration.

Generally some manufacturers add a bit of an up-charge for a left hand rifle. I don't think that in this day and age of computer software programs that this should be an issue. There may be some minor factors for tooling - but for whatever reasons it's a bias that can turn younger shooters - to - be hunters off.

A lot of companies that could produce more variety - because they have already tooled-up for left hand shooters - need to expand some of their models to get greater sales. Perfect example is Savage Rimfire rifles - made in Lakefield, ON. In left hand they make a standard barrel and wooden stock and have not extended the courtesy to have pictures up on there site and this has the effect of being disturbing to a potential Left hand buyer who is considering a Savage.

If anyone from Savage is reading this post - please do the right thing and have pictures loaded up on the internet site for all your Left hand rifle. This has been ignored for years and is a real turn-off. I interpret this as a marketing disgrace that juxtaposes the company's overall sales objectives.

Savage - best overall hunting rifle IMO 16/116 Weather warrior, M-10, M11/111. Axis, 14 American.

Remington - The nicest rifle they made in Left hand was the Stainless / Laminate stock (with raised cheek rest) but was mostly limited to 7 RUM, 300 RUM and 338 RUM. It would have done better in 300 WM, 7mRM, 30-06, 270, 25-06, 308, 7M08, 260 Rem, and 243Win. They made a Special Purpose 700 in a police design, BDL and CDL.

Armalite AR-50BMG Left-Hand Single Shot Bolt Action Sniper Rifle 50A1BL, 50 BMG, 31 in, Black Stock, Black Finish

Those are a few to start search for and there are a few more brands from Europe and a couple I didn't add.


Winchester - made the M70 for several years before the Conneticut. They made the 375, 338Win., 300WM, 7mRM. In short action they made the WSM and possibly the WSSM cartridges.

Tikka - decent variety - probably better then most companies.

Sako - AV, M-75, and M-85 hunter. Great guns if someone wants to buy one great gun and keep it.

Forbes Rifles - M 24B, M20B.

Weatherby - Weatherby Mark V in magnum cartridges.

CZ - Some Rimfires 552 and 527, in 204 and 223

Ruger - M-77 Hawkeye Standard type Walnut blued barrel, they did make a stainless / laminate, Gunsite Scout, Safari, they have recently announced the release of the American in Left Hand

Browning - A-bolt in Micro Hunter, Hunter, Medallion, Stainless Stalker, X Bolt Hunter, Medallion. White Gold (no longer produced) BAR
 
Thanks for the posts. His criteria has limited it down to a couple options. He kind of hand cuffed himself when it comes to what he wants. I was more just shocked that nobody really ever puts left hand models on sale and so many manufacturers ignore you, ex vanguard, tc icon, and if they do make left hand it's rarely in stainless models.
 
I have a friend of a friend who might be selling his Remington 700 Left Hand in 7mm Rem Mag with Leupold scope and Harris Bipod. I've never seen it, so I don't know any more than that at this point - PM me if you want more details and I'll see how motivated he is to sell.
 
I'm not lefty but I did notice the other day that Cabelas has some Savages in left hand but they don't come with the package scope deal, which IMHO is a good thing as one can do better with another scope then what they offer.
 
Lefty's are tough for sure. I have even asked on this forum for a LH rifle EE. That would make things a bit easier and also let guys know who to look to for lefty stuff. But alas the moderators think it would be somehow unfair to the right handers.
 
What is the actual budget your friend has in mind? I recently bought a lefty 700 BDL in 25-06 with a .280 barrel from Prophet River for...a resonable price, but you can get left had Savage Axis' all day long for $400 in most common calibers. I've seen some Zastavas in interesting metric calibers for roughly $750 plus taxes, and then you don't have a flimsy plastic stock, either. What is the planned usage of the rifle? Supercub raises a good point, Remington pumps are lefty friendly, I recently sold one in .243, and while it was a hoot (the nickname is amish machine gun), I like levers better.

Sean
 
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