Hopefully this is the right sub-forum to post in but I'm curious as to whether it is harder to find left handed rifles/handguns? I am going for my PAL/RPAL soon and afterwards am wondering if I will have difficulty finding LH firearms? Also when I find them, will they be more expensive than RH ones?
Left-handed firearms
- Thread starter tphenix57
- Start date
In my experience, Yes & Yes. Left hand bolt action rifles are often more expensive. A lot of them are not available in a left hand model.
I have a Colt 1911 .45 that I have adapted to quite well. I do not want to alter it, but have shot with other 1911's with ambidextrous controls,
and they work OK. Single action revolvers are great, lever actions & single shot rifles work fine for me.
I have a Colt 1911 .45 that I have adapted to quite well. I do not want to alter it, but have shot with other 1911's with ambidextrous controls,
and they work OK. Single action revolvers are great, lever actions & single shot rifles work fine for me.
IMO most semi auto rifles are lefty already. Charging handle on the right side is ideal as you never have to remove your trigger hand from the rifle. And once your used to cycling bolt actions with your left hand over the action it becomes a non-issue.
Only trouble I have is with bullpups with right side only ejection.
Only trouble I have is with bullpups with right side only ejection.
The hard part is wanting to move into AR platforms or bullpup styles - not many (or any) LH eject options.
Being lefty, I've got a bolt action that ejects LH, a shotgun that's bottom eject (also considered the Rem 870 LH), and pistols are really no matter as they chuck brass far enough. But the LH bolt was marginally more expensive.
It's like buying LH golf clubs. Less selection and a little pricier.
Being lefty, I've got a bolt action that ejects LH, a shotgun that's bottom eject (also considered the Rem 870 LH), and pistols are really no matter as they chuck brass far enough. But the LH bolt was marginally more expensive.
It's like buying LH golf clubs. Less selection and a little pricier.
BCshooterFMJ
Regular
- Location
- British Columbia
Well, I am a righty, but let me prescribe a great shotgun for you, the Browning BPS, I bought it off my brother , it has been flawless for me and it ejects downwards, I suggest this because if you ever want to sell it, its good for righties and lefties.
My only lefthanded guns are bolt actions. I have had Ruger's in the past. I currently have 2 Savage bolt actions. Other than the bolt guns all other actions are generally fairly Lefty friendly. Just because we are Southpaws doesn't mean we have to settle and use right handed guns though. I much prefer my lefty bolt guns to the "reachover". I can keep my eyes on target and have a faster followup second shot if needed. But I have lots of other actions and shoot them lefty no problem. Most of the models that offer LH models are pretty close in price now I find. Some cost the same.
@tphenix, I'm using a Browning Xbolt and a Browning BPS. I was actually looking for a Remington 870 in LH but there were none in stock. The sweet part about the BPS is that you can have a bunch of buddies over to blast clays and you just pass the BPS around.
That said, I've also got a few RH eject rifeles - one spat brass all over my arm (a fore-end grip changed that) and I've got a T97 that I haven't been brave enough to fire yet.
That said, I've also got a few RH eject rifeles - one spat brass all over my arm (a fore-end grip changed that) and I've got a T97 that I haven't been brave enough to fire yet.
I`m a lefty with left eye dominant but like some said I`ve only had issues with bolt action riffles and some shotguns. I have yet to try a bullpup design. ARs are fine and if the bolt catch isn`t ambi and it bothers you a Magpul BAD lever or similar devices can fix that for cheap.
I shoot left handed but can't work a bolt with my lefthand so have to have right handed guns.I went to Ruger #1's for that reason and also a semi.
Just that shooting a semi prone is a treat when a hot case gets caught on my skin.I carried a imprint of a 30-06 case for months.
Just that shooting a semi prone is a treat when a hot case gets caught on my skin.I carried a imprint of a 30-06 case for months.
fellow lefty here as well. pretty much going to say what everyone else has.
-for handguns just make sure it has ambi controls. something which i would recommend would be a walther PPQ. unlike several pistols because the mag release is a paddle below the trigger (although newer models are available with the normal button release too), it can be used with either hand with no issues at all. there is no conversion necessary from hand to hand. also great is you are into tactical training and are trying to compensate for an injured hand/arm.
- for semi-auto rifles its usually ok. again, make sure you have a ambi mag release or can convert to one and then you are rood to go. the charging handle isnt too much of an issue. for bulpups the best i have seen for lefty's is the tavor. you just get the lefty conversion kit and it ejects left as well as moves the charging handle as well. mag release is always ambi.
- bolt action is where you will have most of your issues. right handed thumbhole stocks are obviously out of the question. left eject and bolt for me is the best combo. the ejection doesnt matter too much as you are far enough away that you wont get brass in the face. the only time that will matter is if you are just using single shot actions and dont have a mag. then you will have to load the bullet in with your right hand as well. if you are doing bipod/bag shooting you are usually ok as well. its not ideal that you have to move your offhand off of the rear bag each time you need to cycle the bolt as you will lose some positioning but it isnt terrible. the main issue with right hand bolt actions is if you are kneeling or standing. because you would need to move your fore-hand to cycle the bolt you would only be holding the rifle with your left hand at the rear which isnt the most stable. you can overhand manipulate the bolt but personally i just cant get the hang of it.
-for handguns just make sure it has ambi controls. something which i would recommend would be a walther PPQ. unlike several pistols because the mag release is a paddle below the trigger (although newer models are available with the normal button release too), it can be used with either hand with no issues at all. there is no conversion necessary from hand to hand. also great is you are into tactical training and are trying to compensate for an injured hand/arm.
- for semi-auto rifles its usually ok. again, make sure you have a ambi mag release or can convert to one and then you are rood to go. the charging handle isnt too much of an issue. for bulpups the best i have seen for lefty's is the tavor. you just get the lefty conversion kit and it ejects left as well as moves the charging handle as well. mag release is always ambi.
- bolt action is where you will have most of your issues. right handed thumbhole stocks are obviously out of the question. left eject and bolt for me is the best combo. the ejection doesnt matter too much as you are far enough away that you wont get brass in the face. the only time that will matter is if you are just using single shot actions and dont have a mag. then you will have to load the bullet in with your right hand as well. if you are doing bipod/bag shooting you are usually ok as well. its not ideal that you have to move your offhand off of the rear bag each time you need to cycle the bolt as you will lose some positioning but it isnt terrible. the main issue with right hand bolt actions is if you are kneeling or standing. because you would need to move your fore-hand to cycle the bolt you would only be holding the rifle with your left hand at the rear which isnt the most stable. you can overhand manipulate the bolt but personally i just cant get the hang of it.
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
I'm a lefty and only shoot right handed guns. Just feels more natural to me and after 20 years its worked well. I tried out a few left handed guns and they feel so clumsy and awkward. They are also limited in models and supply and cost way more.
You might have luck with retailers that try to stock LH guns.
I don't know where in Ontario you're located, but the last time I was in Kukagami Jack's (Sudbury), they had a big rack of LH guns - more than I've ever seen. I never asked, but the setup gave me the impression that they at least put an effort into stocking left-handed guns. Maybe worth checking them out.
I don't know where in Ontario you're located, but the last time I was in Kukagami Jack's (Sudbury), they had a big rack of LH guns - more than I've ever seen. I never asked, but the setup gave me the impression that they at least put an effort into stocking left-handed guns. Maybe worth checking them out.
Same deal for me as the others who adapt to the Right world.
I shoot revolvers. Single actions were made for lefties
Auto pistols. For casual shooting there is no need for the safety, the slide stops can usually be hit with a finger, and all but the stiffest mag releases work fine. That said the Girsan beretta clone is nice since it has an ambi decocker and you can switch over the mag release.
Only bolt guns I shoot are milsurps. Straight bolt handles are not a big deal. For my mosins on the bench I often unlock with my right hand and use my left hand on the cocking piece to cycle the action so I can catch the brass in the right hand.
Single shots like Ruger number one, rolling blocks, sharps (vernier sights make side hammer guns awkward though)
I have an m-305, SKS, SVT for auto loaders. No issues
That's about it. I shot an AR once, without worry. Bull pups don't interest me.... Otherwise there is very little real need for left hand guns. If I wanted to treat myself to something a bit up market that I knew I'd keep for life, then I might consider one. Otherwise your resale market is going to be limited.
I shoot revolvers. Single actions were made for lefties
Auto pistols. For casual shooting there is no need for the safety, the slide stops can usually be hit with a finger, and all but the stiffest mag releases work fine. That said the Girsan beretta clone is nice since it has an ambi decocker and you can switch over the mag release.
Only bolt guns I shoot are milsurps. Straight bolt handles are not a big deal. For my mosins on the bench I often unlock with my right hand and use my left hand on the cocking piece to cycle the action so I can catch the brass in the right hand.
Single shots like Ruger number one, rolling blocks, sharps (vernier sights make side hammer guns awkward though)
I have an m-305, SKS, SVT for auto loaders. No issues
That's about it. I shot an AR once, without worry. Bull pups don't interest me.... Otherwise there is very little real need for left hand guns. If I wanted to treat myself to something a bit up market that I knew I'd keep for life, then I might consider one. Otherwise your resale market is going to be limited.
Doc Rainbow
CGN Regular
- Location
- Beautiful B.C.
AR's: Stag Arms makes some lefties. I believe the Benelli CX4 Storm and IWI Tavors are lefty-friendly. Over under shotguns often adjustable or left-handed eg Browning Cynergy has an adjustable comb and quite neutral. There's some left-handed Citoris I think. Semi-auto shotguns: Benelli Super Black Eagle 2 LH is nice!. Tikka and Sako make some very nice left-handed bolt action rifles. Lever action rifles eg Winchester 1892's or Browning BL-22's you won't have any major problems. Thompson Center Contenders or Pro-Hunters are very easy to shoot/hunt with for a leftie and you can get left-handed stocks. SA or DA revolvers no problem either. LOTS of good options but yes usually harder to find and a little more expensive.
I'm left eye dominant but right handed. I shoot all long guns left handed and pistols right handed. Personally I prefer a right handed shotgun with a cast neutral stock. It's convenient having the ejection port on the right side where it's easily accessible.
