Over/Unders for Left Hand Shooters

gobigorgohome

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I'm on the hunt for an O/U to add to my collection for this year and I can only shoot left handed. I've been looking a lot at the common 2, Beretta and Browning. Occasionally I'll come across a "left handed" model on the EE, I know this has to do with cast of the stock or the way the lever opens the action. But is it critical to have a LH over under to shoot left handed? Or does a neutral cast work just as well? I have yet to come across a LH O/U in person to actually handle one in person.
 
The right handed stocks also usually have a right hand palm swell. Some of the neutral cast do as well. I just bought a Beretta 682 gold e trap that is technically a right handed gun but it seems to fit me shooting it left handed but it might be different for you.
 
The only real way to know if it will fit you is to shoulder the gun, then if it seems to fit you have to shoot it to be sure.
Guns with an adjustable comb are often more neutral in cast and can fit lefties.

Agree. Not a big O/U user any more but always shot right hand guns left with no issues
Like you say her has to try some
Cheers
 
Have only handled a few samples of each, but the Browning Citori seems neutral to me where as the Beretta SP are built with cast off for a right handed person unless special ordered.

My son is left handed and he shoots FAIR shotguns very well.
 
I think the left-handed berettas are cast on, I have to confirm that though.

It's definitely more about the fit than the way the lever opens.

Citori's (at least the older ones I've used) are straight. So are SKB 500's. I remember having a Winchester 101 fit really well once, I forget how it was cast but probably neutral. I haven't sampled any higher-end makes.
 
I've shot OU and Sxs for years and to be honest never thought about a left hand version. (OK so never had the good fortune to use a custom or high end stock). I'd echo falconflyer the best way would be to shoulder it and if possible take it for a test drive. as for the action .. again, how does it feel for you
 
Many moons ago, my buddy had a small gunstore, I'd help him out behind the counter on occasion. Of all the O/U he had in stock over the years, the only one that fit me perfectly as a lefty, was the IGA/Stoeger Condor.
 
If there was no difference between a left handed gun and a right handed gun there would be no reason to make different guns . For occasional field and clay shooting you may not notice the difference but if you shoot comptively the difference is huge . Point of impact , felt recoil , shooting a gun with wrong cast will cause you to stop your swing . If you are a left handed shooter try your best to find a left handed gun if you can’t do that then at least neutral cast which are far and few . Most guns are set up for right handed shooters
 
Beretta will provide you with a left handed cast gun. A buddy of mine did just that recently, took a month or so to get. Also, didnt some of the Browning guns, Cynergy perhaps, come with shim adjustable stocks?
 
At least one of the guys I shoot with uses a neutral cast Browning to shoot left handed and he seems to think it works OK for him. The hard part is finding left handed shot shells .................
 
I'm on the hunt for an O/U to add to my collection for this year and I can only shoot left handed. I've been looking a lot at the common 2, Beretta and Browning. Occasionally I'll come across a "left handed" model on the EE, I know this has to do with cast of the stock or the way the lever opens the action. But is it critical to have a LH over under to shoot left handed? Or does a neutral cast work just as well? I have yet to come across a LH O/U in person to actually handle one in person.

Yes it’s critical. I know because I bought a Beretta 686 Onxy that was cast for a lefty but I’m right hand. Seller didn’t want to tell me it’s for them devilish wrong handed people. I had no idea they made them for left or right handed shooters. Well that was the most uncomfortable gun I have ever shot. My jaw was in pain and would cause a headache just from 50rds though the Sporting Clays course. Left hand guns should also have a left hand palm swell as well as a left hand trigger. You should see that most triggers on Over/Under shotguns are curved in the direction of your finger. Left hand trigger will curve to the left. Even a cheap gun company like Akkar Churchill makes a left hand 206.
 
Most mid to high end guns can be ordered with a LH stock, also if it interests you the Benelli 828U stock can be adjusted using spacers (like a semi). This makes custom fitting the gun quick and cheap.
 
Thanks for the input! I am going to try and find a left handed gun locally and try shooting it. I found a Berette 686 Silver Pigeon grade 1 on the EE in a left hand a few months back, I still kick my self for not just buying it.... if all else, I'll try and find a neutral cast browning or beretta.
 
I don’t think you’ll find a neutral Beretta. In my experience all of their o/u’s are RH or LH.

Brownings all leave the factory with neutral cast. They will have left or right palm swells.

I am right handed but switched to shooting from my left shoulder about 5 years ago. I can shoot my son’s RH Citori Special Sporting Clays reasonably well, but it’s awkward and kicks more than it should. The RH palm swell doesn’t bother me too much. Citoris have thick stocks, so that makes it a bit awkward. The Cynergy has a much slimmer stock and no palm swell. I shot one for several years before getting a LH Caesar Guerini. It makes a huge difference. I’ve also shot LH Beretta 692s and Blaser F16s.

Find a buddy with a semi that has stock shims. Shoot a couple of rounds of clays with it set up for a righty. Swap out the shims and set it up for a lefty. Shoot a couple more rounds of clays. Then you’ll have an idea of what difference it makes.
 
I owned a left hand ceaser gurini. Great gun but the palm swell always felt bulky and I have decent sized hands. I tried a LH 725 and same thing. Palm swells just dont do it for me. I now shoot a field model 725 and couldn't be happier.
 
Sure - you can usually spot it by turning the gun upside down and sighting along the barrel centerline from the muzzle end. For a more definitive test, place the gun against a door with the barrel side touching. Note the position of the side of the stock relative to the door. Rotate the gun 180 degrees, the difference will be obvious.
 
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