Left handed shotguns

[freddyfour]

My son is turning 12 and it is time for him to start shooting shotguns. Problem is he is a lefty, I have no idea whatnis available out there for left handed shooters. I want something that he can grouse hunt, deer hunt and goose hunt with. My preference would be an 870 Wingmaster but I'm not sure if they even make a left handed gun.

What do you lefties recommend?

 

[bluedcanoed]

Ithaca 37's; install left hand safety.

 

[Butcherbill]

They make LH 870’s but as a southpaw I’ve never felt constrained by using a RH pump shotgun, in fact I find it easier to use. Your support hand is on the same side as the port, port loading is easy. No reaching over or under to load a quick shell, I’ve never been hit by a spent hull and loading the tube is from underneath so it’s the same regardless of which hand you use.

The only time I find a RH gun is a pain is a scoped bolt action, if I need to make a quick follow up shot I have to drop the rifle from my shoulder and reach over the scope. Pump guns and semi auto rifles are all easier to operate the bolt or load through the port.

 

[freddyfour]

That is an interesting point and I'm glad to hear it. I have a beautiful wingmaster that I refinished and put together that I want to give him but was worried about the RH.

 

[NZClaybuster]

browning bps

 

[nitro-express]

I can relate. I retired and found my inner Cowboy. Cowboy action shooting became my passion. About a year ago i was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes, but my right eye is really bad. It was either quit shooting or learn how to be a lefty. A bit of a tough learn, but I persevered and I'm still in the game.

I've been an 870 man for a very long time, it will work left. As will an 1897 Winchester. But the one that surprised me is the Model 12, the slide rlease is perfect for a lefty. The safety is wrong, but the rest of it works fine. Browning makes a pump that ejects out of the bottom like a Model 37 Ithaca. It's also available in all the gauges. It is made to handle steel with screw in chokes.

Try a few in the gunshops. of all the ones mentioned, only the BPS is current and available. The 870 may be in production again, but I've not seen one. A Model 12 is affordable used, but steel and finding a slug barrel may be an issue.

When my son, a RH shooter was young he started with a 410, then a 20 and 12 soon after. I loaded 12 ga lite for him, but they grow up fast, don't even remember the load anymore. You should have a good recoil pad, and the gun needs to fit, length of pull. Back in the day Remington sold youth stocks, I bought him a set. The good thing after he outgrew it, selling the gun at a show was so easy. It went to a youngster that smiled like a Cheshire cat as he and his dad walked out.

The big thing is how the safety works, Mossberg has a tang safety, which is good, the rest of the gun is poorly assembled IMHO. My son's wouldn't even shoot out of the box. Now that is a real disappointment for a young boy. Dad to the rescue, I filed and hammered until it worked, the pressure was on.

As one that has switched from right to left, you may want to have him learn to shoot right, it makes buying a good gun so much easier. My son had left handed tendencies as a boy, I discouraged that. The alphabet/rainbow people may be upset with me, but with a safe full of RH guns and only one son, I didn't want that foolishness if it could be helped. Being able to shoot left or right equally well has it's merits.

A Colt SAA has the trigger offset to one side, try shooting that LH, it sucks.

One last point, the cast on some shotguns will make them hard to shoot left. Most pumps are neutral, shoot equally awkward LH or RH. The 870 has a bit of leeway in that respect, you can get about 1/2 inch cast on/off with a bit of work on the stock. I've also increased the drop to fit a nephew. Last is the pitch, for chickens and cowboy work, you want at least 5º. For high flying ducks and geese, perhaps less. Women and hefty men can use even more pitch to prevent getting pinched in the sensitive areas.

https://theyorkshiregent.com/shooting/gun-fitting-guide-fit-shotgun/

 

[FLHTCUI]

My son is turning 12 and it is time for him to start shooting shotguns. Problem is he is a lefty, I have no idea whatnis available out there for left handed shooters. I want something that he can grouse hunt, deer hunt and goose hunt with. My preference would be an 870 Wingmaster but I'm not sure if they even make a left handed gun.

What do you lefties recommend?

I have seen one advertised in the EE (leftie).
Browning BPS might be a good alternative.
Rob

 

[I Dont Care About You]

My son is turning 12 and it is time for him to start shooting shotguns. Problem is he is a lefty, I have no idea whatnis available out there for left handed shooters. I want something that he can grouse hunt, deer hunt and goose hunt with. My preference would be an 870 Wingmaster but I'm not sure if they even make a left handed gun.

What do you lefties recommend?

Whats the problem with being a lefty? That you would even use such a term with respect to someone who is slightly different from you is .... concerning.

As a lefty I recommend lefties adapt to a right handed world. There is absolutely NO reason us lefties can't use any right handed shotgun.

 

[warzaw]

That is an interesting point and I'm glad to hear it. I have a beautiful wingmaster that I refinished and put together that I want to give him but was worried about the RH.

I have lefty friends that shoot right hand shotguns guns. Your Remington will work just fine. Left hand 870 often come up on the EE if you think he needs it. Add a extra slug barrel and your young lad will do well but a warning it won't be long before he starts to kick your butt.

 

[medvedqc]

im left handed and shoot left hand bolt action but for shotguns i tried bps (very hard to dissasemble to clean) and i do like rh wingmaster 870. i do have a left hand turkish semi-auto atsan. still have the atsan and the rh 870s.

 

[Butcherbill]

That is an interesting point and I'm glad to hear it. I have a beautiful wingmaster that I refinished and put together that I want to give him but was worried about the RH.

It’s not an issue at all in my experience, the safety just takes time to get used to. I installed a jumbo 870 safety and reach under the trigger guard with my middle finger if I use the safety, it just takes some practice and then it’s second nature.

Everyone says bottom eject is LH friendly but honestly I’ve never been hit by a spent hull, so it’s no worse or greater for a LH shooter. Ithaca 37’s are lighter than a 870 due to the shorter receiver, they’re really cool pump guns as well but it’s not more LH friendly.

The other thing about LH 870’s that’s a negative is there’s not much available for alternative barrels, I’ve never seen anything other than a 28” vent rib barrel. Unlike the plethora of available barrels for the RH versions, which is one of the big perks of the 870’s. From 12.5” to 30”, bead sights, rifle sights, rifled, Turkey barrels etc etc.

 

[bc308]

FROM PARAGRAPH 6 of the post by NITRO-EXPRESS:
As one that has switched from right to left, you may want to have him learn to shoot right, it makes buying a good gun so much easier. My son had left handed tendencies as a boy, I discouraged that. The alphabet/rainbow people may be upset with me, but with a safe full of RH guns and only one son, I didn't want that foolishness if it could be helped. Being able to shoot left or right equally well has it's merits.

<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>

Well OP, if this seems like a good idea to you, discuss it with your son and maybe you could try switching left for a couple months.

As for why the ejection ports of guns are on the opposite side from shooters' faces, I suggest you Google up youtube and watch the video " TESTING the Poverty-Tier Budget Semi-Auto Tactical Shotgun Build!" Come back and tell me if your son should be shooting opposite side guns. You can start with... "oh but we were not talking about semis."

 

[bc308]

It’s not an issue at all in my experience, the safety just takes time to get used to. I installed a jumbo 870 safety and reach under the trigger guard with my middle finger if I use the safety, it just takes some practice and then it’s second nature.

Everyone says bottom eject is LH friendly but honestly I’ve never been hit by a spent hull, so it’s no worse or greater for a LH shooter. Ithaca 37’s are lighter than a 870 due to the shorter receiver, they’re really cool pump guns as well but it’s not more LH friendly.

The other thing about LH 870’s that’s a negative is there’s not much available for alternative barrels, I’ve never seen anything other than a 28” vent rib barrel. Unlike the plethora of available barrels for the RH versions, which is one of the big perks of the 870’s. From 12.5” to 30”, bead sights, rifle sights, rifled, Turkey barrels etc etc.

I have had my 870 LH TB since I bought it new in the mid-70s. It is just plain easier to operate something that has the controls placed "properly". I agree with you on the lack of availability of other LH barrels, but then you get to buy other guns!

There was an interesting thread in the milsurp section a while back regarding the evolution of semiauto battle rifles and QCBs. The discussion went into guys' preferences for which side of the gun safeties, selectors, and magazine releases were placed. To some extent this is a "to each his/her own" but understand when some guns could compromise your safety.

Regarding the Ithaca 37, they are mostly left friendly, although it is a bit awkward reaching the slide release.

 

[BlackRam]

As a right handed, left eye dominant, and therefore k=left handed shooter, I can tell you that I definitely prefer left handed and left handed friendly firearms, particularly in rifles. I have worked extensively to be able to shoot right handed with my rifles, just in case, but it takes a lot of works and concentration to be able to close the left eye, obtain right eye focus, and then re-open the left eye while maintaining right eye focus for open sights.
Not everyone can, or are willing to invest the time and practice necessary to, acquire this skill. Eye dominance is set by the time a person is about 5 years old. And it will only change due to to eye injury or eye disease, as mentioned above.

When it comes to shotguns, I grew up with a single shot .410 (Winchester Model 37A). It wasn't until in my 20's before I even handled a pump or semi auto shotgun, and then mostly in 12 gauge and the od 20 gauge. And all of them right handed. Have a real problem trying to shoot O/U's, but mostly due to cast.
Because of my later use and training for qualifying for use of the RH Rem 870's for bear protection, and that was all that was available to me, I have become proficient in its use. Because I am right handed, and I have always brought my right hand back to cycle and action or work the safety, while keeping the firearm nestled into my shoulder with my left hand, I have found that this is quicker and easier for me than reaching over or under the firearm to reload, cycle the action or operate the safety. I still have my rh 870 Tactical for this work. (Haven't found a lh 870 since starting down this road, or I would have one)
This has taken a lit of time and practice to become proficient to pass the qualification testing for this certification, as time and accuracy counts.

My step-father is left handed and left eye dominant, so we have just acquired a LH Rem 870 for him as he wants to try goose hunting. As he is inexperienced in shooting, setting him up with a left handed bolt action and shotgun will make the learning curve easier for him.Trying to locate a lh 870 slug/tactical barrel for it is proving difficult, but will keep trying.
Remington did make the LH 870 12 gauge in two barrel sets so you could swap between your longer barrel for waterfowl/upland /trap/skeet/sporting clays shooting and the shorter slug barrel for bear protection/defense shooting. Haven't seen one of these come up for sale in quite some time.

While one might be able to understand the "foolishness" of having to acquire lh firearms for your son, because you have a safe full of rh firearms, may seem foolish to you; but it isn't foolishness to your son.
Frankly, as suggested above, try shooting left handed yourself with all of your firearms, before you pass judgement on someone else, when you haven't walked a mile in their shoes. You may gain a new perspective and change your mind about setting your son up to win; instead of forcing him to accept what is easier and more convenient for you. This could turn him off of shooting and hunting altogether, and you will be the loser in the end, as you will have lost the opportunity to spend years together at the range and out in the field enjoying this rich and rewarding pastime together with your son.
Hate to be blunt, and am meaning no disrespect here; just pointing out honest facts, and thoughts that you may not have contemplated.

 

[I Dont Care About You]

It’s not an issue at all in my experience, the safety just takes time to get used to. I installed a jumbo 870 safety and reach under the trigger guard with my middle finger if I use the safety, it just takes some practice and then it’s second nature.

My 870 is completely stock and I have never had an issue using the safety. One of my best shot strings ever involved the gun with safety on. I didn't even have to think about the safety, it just worked.

As one that has switched from right to left, you may want to have him learn to shoot right, it makes buying a good gun so much easier. My son had left handed tendencies as a boy, I discouraged that. The alphabet/rainbow people may be upset with me, but with a safe full of RH guns and only one son, I didn't want that foolishness if it could be helped. Being able to shoot left or right equally well has it's merits.

TBH I have a big problem with this attitude. First, it says loud and clear that right handed people think being left handed is some kind of problem .... ITS NOT!!!!!

Second, people should learn to shoot on the side which their eye is dominant. Eye dominance is the most important factor to shooting. Trying to teach a left handed and left eye dominant person to shoot right will cause them serious problems forever. If you want your son to fail as a shooter, THIS is the best way to accomplish that.

My wife is left handed but right eye dominant. As such, she shoots from the right shoulder and right hand.

Third, there is no reason lefties cannot capably adapt to and shoot right handed firearms. I've been doing such for over 35 years and have never had nor never wanted a left handed firearm. There is simply no reason for left handed firearms IMO.

I have had my 870 LH TB since I bought it new in the mid-70s. It is just plain easier to operate something that has the controls placed "properly".

To some extent this is a "to each his/her own" but understand when some guns could compromise your safety.

Safety? Please elaborate on how a right handed firearm poses a safety issue for a left hander? In 35 years of shooting, shooting competition and military service I've NEVER EVER EVER run into such a problem.

Controls can be adapted to and with a bit of smarts offer no more challenge to operation from either shoulder.

 

[bc308]

My 870 is completely stock and I have never had an issue using the safety. One of my best shot strings ever involved the gun with safety on. I didn't even have to think about the safety, it just worked.




TBH I have a big problem with this attitude. First, it says loud and clear that right handed people think being left handed is some kind of problem .... ITS NOT!!!!!

Second, people should learn to shoot on the side which their eye is dominant. Eye dominance is the most important factor to shooting. Trying to teach a left handed and left eye dominant person to shoot right will cause them serious problems forever. If you want your son to fail as a shooter, THIS is the best way to accomplish that.

My wife is left handed but right eye dominant. As such, she shoots from the right shoulder and right hand.

Third, there is no reason lefties cannot capably adapt to and shoot right handed firearms. I've been doing such for over 35 years and have never had nor never wanted a left handed firearm. There is simply no reason for left handed firearms IMO.




Safety? Please elaborate on how a right handed firearm poses a safety issue for a left hander? In 35 years of shooting, shooting competition and military service I've NEVER EVER EVER run into such a problem.

Controls can be adapted to and with a bit of smarts offer no more challenge to operation from either shoulder.

Well, your reading comprehension is poor. You started attacking me over a quotation I put in from another poster. I fixed my post; go back and read it. To save a bit of space I tried to only put in the relevant parts of nitro's post, but the program took out the white box.

As far as safety is concerned, watch any night videos of the flame and crap coming out of ports on autoloaders and my point is made. I think this might also apply to guys who are getting very good cycling pump shot guns.

My point in any of these left eye/right guns safety first, then simple convenience.

 

[I Dont Care About You]

As far as safety is concerned, watch any night videos of the flame and crap coming out of ports on autoloaders and my point is made. I think this might also apply to guys who are getting very good cycling pump shot guns.

My point in any of these left eye/right guns safety first, then simple convenience.

Geeze, in my decades of shooting and military service I must have missed the part where my face got burned off from an auto loader. There is NO safety issue inherent in a lefty shooting a right handed autoloader. If there were, I'd have had it happen to me over the course of the hundreds of thousands of rounds I have fired out of all manner of auto loaders, machine guns, submachine guns and belt fed machine guns I have operated left handed.

 

[medvedqc]

the only problem with semi auto and left handed with the wrong side is powder debris and other little debris and it is a more bigger issue when it is raining. used as well right hand auto and semi auto in military time too ...

and i do like my hunting rifles in left hand action.

 

[bc308]

Geeze, in my decades of shooting and military service I must have missed the part where my face got burned off from an auto loader. There is NO safety issue inherent in a lefty shooting a right handed autoloader. If there were, I'd have had it happen to me over the course of the hundreds of thousands of rounds I have fired out of all manner of auto loaders, machine guns, submachine guns and belt fed machine guns I have operated left handed.

Google this, and there is a lot more out there. In your case thank the armourers that kept your military stuff running well.

Out-of-Battery BANG! When Round Fires Before Bolt Fully Closed

 

[Big Bad]

I can relate. I retired and found my inner Cowboy. Cowboy action shooting became my passion. About a year ago i was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes, but my right eye is really bad. It was either quit shooting or learn how to be a lefty. A bit of a tough learn, but I persevered and I'm still in the game.

I've been an 870 man for a very long time, it will work left. As will an 1897 Winchester. But the one that surprised me is the Model 12, the slide rlease is perfect for a lefty. The safety is wrong, but the rest of it works fine. Browning makes a pump that ejects out of the bottom like a Model 37 Ithaca. It's also available in all the gauges. It is made to handle steel with screw in chokes.

Try a few in the gunshops. of all the ones mentioned, only the BPS is current and available. The 870 may be in production again, but I've not seen one. A Model 12 is affordable used, but steel and finding a slug barrel may be an issue.

When my son, a RH shooter was young he started with a 410, then a 20 and 12 soon after. I loaded 12 ga lite for him, but they grow up fast, don't even remember the load anymore. You should have a good recoil pad, and the gun needs to fit, length of pull. Back in the day Remington sold youth stocks, I bought him a set. The good thing after he outgrew it, selling the gun at a show was so easy. It went to a youngster that smiled like a Cheshire cat as he and his dad walked out.

The big thing is how the safety works, Mossberg has a tang safety, which is good, the rest of the gun is poorly assembled IMHO. My son's wouldn't even shoot out of the box. Now that is a real disappointment for a young boy. Dad to the rescue, I filed and hammered until it worked, the pressure was on.

As one that has switched from right to left, you may want to have him learn to shoot right, it makes buying a good gun so much easier. My son had left handed tendencies as a boy, I discouraged that. The alphabet/rainbow people may be upset with me, but with a safe full of RH guns and only one son, I didn't want that foolishness if it could be helped. Being able to shoot left or right equally well has it's merits.

A Colt SAA has the trigger offset to one side, try shooting that LH, it sucks.

One last point, the cast on some shotguns will make them hard to shoot left. Most pumps are neutral, shoot equally awkward LH or RH. The 870 has a bit of leeway in that respect, you can get about 1/2 inch cast on/off with a bit of work on the stock. I've also increased the drop to fit a nephew. Last is the pitch, for chickens and cowboy work, you want at least 5º. For high flying ducks and geese, perhaps less. Women and hefty men can use even more pitch to prevent getting pinched in the sensitive areas.

https://theyorkshiregent.com/shooting/gun-fitting-guide-fit-shotgun/

If your eyes are bad to the point of impairment, you should qualify for clear lens replacement therapy. My sainted mother got it and she had 20/20 vision for the rest of her life, and she found it quick and painless too.