I was born left-handed and have shot right-handed firearms most of my life. A couple of struggles for a left-handed shooter shooting a right-handed gun are the following:
- If you are shooting a semi-auto gun, then you find that your eyes take a beating from debris from the ejected shot. Also, the expired shell can sometimes come back to land on your arm (ouch if it's a rifle shell and you are shooting in short sleeves ).
- The reach around is uncomfortable! Now get your mind out of the gutter, I'm talking about the safety...jeez. Especially in those quick off hand shots where you only have moments to acquire a target and make a successful shot, that difference in a second to reach around to the other side of the gun to click the safety off is sometimes all it takes to make you miss that shot or miss your shot opportunity.
- Shooting a right-handed bolt action gun left-handed is very difficult and making a follow-up shot almost impossible without taking your eye off of the target.
Through my years of struggling I have done in-depth research and have found and bought a couple of guns that have solved these issues for me.
Shotguns:
1) The Browning BPS - I bought one of these about two years ago. I purchased the 3" model with the cantilever barrel and mounted a Nikon 2X7 scope on it after purchase. The gun is also covered in Mossy Oak camo.
Pros:
- Multiple configurations and options available including additional barrels
and camo options
- Bottom load and eject very similar to the Ithica back in the day
- Moderately priced at around $650
- Top mounted tang safety, making this a true ambidextrous gun
Cons:
- Can't buy a configuration with a slug barrel and a 3.5" chamber. You will need to purchase the 3.5" version and then a 3" slug barrel in addition if
you wish to have a dual-purpose 3.5" gun.
2) The Benelli Super Black Eagle II - I searched high and low to find a good semi-auto shotgun before I ended up purchasing the Super Black Eagle II. Benelli has a good selection of semi-auto shotguns in various configurations. You can research the different models here.
I settled on the 3.5" model in Black Synthetic. These usually run between $1500 and $1600 at your local firearms dealer. I've used this gun for multiple outings for duck and crow hunting as well as countless outings for skeet and trap.
Pros:
- A true left-handed semi, including left-handed safety and ejection
- Multiple aftermarket options including barrels and chokes
- Very reliable in the field
- Strips down easily for cleaning; the barrel goes all the way to the start of the
stock, fully exposing the bolt for easy cleaning and removal
- Cycles all shells reliably
Cons:
- The price tag can be scary, but if you think about the amount of use you'll get
out of it, it's not so bad after all.
3) Remington Model 870 - Remington also makes a left-handed model, making their trusty and proven Model 870 in a left-handed configuration. I have not had the chance to shoot the left-handed version personally but I have a great deal of experience with the Model 870 in their right-handed configuration, so I'll talk to that as it's the same gun just with the safety and ejection port on the left side of the firearm.
Pros:
- The proven reliability of the 870 that has been around for years
- Many aftermarket options including chokes, stocks, forearms and barrels
- The cheapest price tag yet, about $450
Cons:
- Only a 3" chamber. So for those of us looking to shoot 3.5" turkey or goose
mags we are out of luck with this one.
Rifles:
You might be thinking by now: "What about a rifle for the lefty??" Well, I don't have any first hand experience but I have a few on my radar.
1) Savage
2) Blazer - Another post detailing these firearms in the days to come. They have a unique bolt design and allow you to switch calibers pretty easily!
3) Tikka T3
4) Weatherby
5) Remington - Remington has an entire section of left handed firearms on their website.
6) Browning
Handguns:
I've started researching handguns as North Carolina is a carry state and I'd like to pick up a couple in the next year or so. I'll share what I know so far.
1) Beretta PX4 Storm - Many other manufactures offer ambidextrous slide catches, mag releases and safeties that can be converted for a lefty. It's really just takes some talking to a knowledgeable dealer.
Any other suggestions? Let us know in the comments section.
-Paul Nicolucci
- If you are shooting a semi-auto gun, then you find that your eyes take a beating from debris from the ejected shot. Also, the expired shell can sometimes come back to land on your arm (ouch if it's a rifle shell and you are shooting in short sleeves ).
- The reach around is uncomfortable! Now get your mind out of the gutter, I'm talking about the safety...jeez. Especially in those quick off hand shots where you only have moments to acquire a target and make a successful shot, that difference in a second to reach around to the other side of the gun to click the safety off is sometimes all it takes to make you miss that shot or miss your shot opportunity.
- Shooting a right-handed bolt action gun left-handed is very difficult and making a follow-up shot almost impossible without taking your eye off of the target.
Through my years of struggling I have done in-depth research and have found and bought a couple of guns that have solved these issues for me.
Shotguns:
1) The Browning BPS - I bought one of these about two years ago. I purchased the 3" model with the cantilever barrel and mounted a Nikon 2X7 scope on it after purchase. The gun is also covered in Mossy Oak camo.
Pros:
- Multiple configurations and options available including additional barrels
and camo options
- Bottom load and eject very similar to the Ithica back in the day
- Moderately priced at around $650
- Top mounted tang safety, making this a true ambidextrous gun
Cons:
- Can't buy a configuration with a slug barrel and a 3.5" chamber. You will need to purchase the 3.5" version and then a 3" slug barrel in addition if
you wish to have a dual-purpose 3.5" gun.
2) The Benelli Super Black Eagle II - I searched high and low to find a good semi-auto shotgun before I ended up purchasing the Super Black Eagle II. Benelli has a good selection of semi-auto shotguns in various configurations. You can research the different models here.
I settled on the 3.5" model in Black Synthetic. These usually run between $1500 and $1600 at your local firearms dealer. I've used this gun for multiple outings for duck and crow hunting as well as countless outings for skeet and trap.
Pros:
- A true left-handed semi, including left-handed safety and ejection
- Multiple aftermarket options including barrels and chokes
- Very reliable in the field
- Strips down easily for cleaning; the barrel goes all the way to the start of the
stock, fully exposing the bolt for easy cleaning and removal
- Cycles all shells reliably
Cons:
- The price tag can be scary, but if you think about the amount of use you'll get
out of it, it's not so bad after all.
3) Remington Model 870 - Remington also makes a left-handed model, making their trusty and proven Model 870 in a left-handed configuration. I have not had the chance to shoot the left-handed version personally but I have a great deal of experience with the Model 870 in their right-handed configuration, so I'll talk to that as it's the same gun just with the safety and ejection port on the left side of the firearm.
Pros:
- The proven reliability of the 870 that has been around for years
- Many aftermarket options including chokes, stocks, forearms and barrels
- The cheapest price tag yet, about $450
Cons:
- Only a 3" chamber. So for those of us looking to shoot 3.5" turkey or goose
mags we are out of luck with this one.
Rifles:
You might be thinking by now: "What about a rifle for the lefty??" Well, I don't have any first hand experience but I have a few on my radar.
1) Savage
2) Blazer - Another post detailing these firearms in the days to come. They have a unique bolt design and allow you to switch calibers pretty easily!
3) Tikka T3
4) Weatherby
5) Remington - Remington has an entire section of left handed firearms on their website.
6) Browning
Handguns:
I've started researching handguns as North Carolina is a carry state and I'd like to pick up a couple in the next year or so. I'll share what I know so far.
1) Beretta PX4 Storm - Many other manufactures offer ambidextrous slide catches, mag releases and safeties that can be converted for a lefty. It's really just takes some talking to a knowledgeable dealer.
Any other suggestions? Let us know in the comments section.
-Paul Nicolucci
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