[DSC]

I am relatively new to shooting sports and would like to buy my first shotgun. I would like an all pupose(or as close as one can get) shotgun. I plan on shooting clay targets, turkey, dove and possibly ducks. THere are very few options I have noticed for left handed shooters. I have been looking at the Browning BPS in a pump or a Remington 11-87 in a semi. How important is it that I get a gun set up for a lefty or just get a right handed shotgun and live with the fact that shells will fly accross my face? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Big Dog]

Check out the Ithaca. They have a down-ejecting action, good for left or right handed use.

 

[AR-tim]

Never had a problem with my Ithaca 37 Featherlight when I shot it lefty(when I forgot my glasses). It is a good all around gun and is pretty light, hence the name. Like Big Dog said, it is a bottom ejecting gun. I think shells ejecting in front of your face could be dangerous and distracting. Just my thoughts

 

[jerry]

my son is RH & left eye Dominant. He shoots a Mossberg "Bantam" youth model well. the safety is on top (Ambi) which was a selling point. The other option was the Browning BPS as it had top safety and bottom ejection. Ithica is outstanding and was also considered, they have models in aluminum and steel reciever. the only draw back, the price was higher than the Browning. If you can find a used one you may be able to get a better deal.
Watch the RH models with LH shooting, in all my research the safety is the kicker. it is very awkward to operate. On the old page Lars had some good info on how to convert 870's safetys, as well as a bunch of other good info.
There should be some, some, concern about shells crossing the face. everyone i have spoken to has not been distracted by it. there IS the possibility of catching powder residue etc. this is why safety glasses are another good idea. in my findings though, the average person operating a pump will not and generally do not have the need to pump the gun fast enough to have any residue to expell in the face area. This is a whole other ball game on auoto's as the cycle rate is faster and there more than likely will be residue as the fire eject sequence takes palce.
At this rate; wear your safety glasses (they make camo lenses for ducks & turkey) shoulder a variety of guns that you can work safely, regardless of cost save to get the one that fits and feels best. you won't regret it later if you get the one you want straight up.
Good shooting and good luck!
P.S.
Nothing wrong with a double or O/U very Ambi!

 

[lefty o]

i agree ive been shooting right handed pump guns for years, and ive never once even noticed where the empty is going, the safety is the kicker though, it takes a little getting used to 'cause it pushes the wrong way.

 

[panhandler]

You may be right eye dominant. My son is a lefty, but is right eye dominant. A lefty friend told me to hand my son a drink bottle and ask him to look at the monster in it. The child wasn't told of this test, but he used his right eye. Thus, determining eye dominance. Try it on youself. Maybe you can use standard shotguns.

 

[jerry]

also hold your arms out making a triangle with your 2 index fingers and thumbs. focus on a distant object. close one eye at a time, the eye you see the object with is typically dominate.

 

[DSC]

I will try this again, my last post appears to have been lost in the move. First, thanks for the input, I appreciate it. I went out this weekend to several shops looking around. As some of you suggested I found out which eye is dominant. It appears as I am right eye dominant and left handed. Several places recommended that I try to learn to shoot right handed. Since I haven't been shooting long I am hoping this won't be too difficult. Lots of praise on the Ithaca's unfortunately no one around here seems to carry them. One place was pushing a Verona semi-automatic. I have never heard of them. They are considerable less expensive than other semi's. Anybody know anything about them?

Thanks
Scott

 

[TCK]

Lefty shooter

First of all I have shot lefty (left eye too) for 20 some years and only had one lefty gun, bought it two years ago and it still feels weird. I have never been bothered by the shell ejecting tword me and frankly the reason my left handed gun feels strange is because I can't watch as the bolt is closed to see if it is feeding right. Now maybe the reason it never bothered me is because I don't have may semi auto rifles? But with my shot gun I know the stock is "bent" or combed or whatever you call it to fit a right hander. Is it possible to get just the buttstock fitted for a lefty. And is it possible to refit an 870 Remmington saftey for a lefty??? I am used to it going the "wrong way" but if it was reversed that would be cool !

Thanks for the info,

 

[AR-tim]

I think I heardit is possible to change the safety on a 870, but I can't remember where I heard that. I think it was an add in Shotgun News....I'll check around.

-Tim

 

[Tim W]

When I bought my 870 a couple years ago,the gunsmith reversed the safety button and it works slick from the "wrong side".

I'm right handed but left eye dominate. started shooting left handed from the start. never owned a left handed rifle as they feel wierd. I have a Mossberg semi auto with a tang safety that works great for me. The right side ejection is not a problem.

Just my 02¢

Another Tim

 

[Skibum]

I am thinking about switching to the left side, becasue I am left-eye dominant, and I never seem to be able to hit trap or skeet from the right side. I am not a disaster as a rifle or pistol shooter, having been a high sharpshooter with the rifle, and an expert with the pistol. Yes, I know those are not so great achievements, but they beat the 5-6 clay birds out of a round of 25 that is about as good as I get.

Has anyone turned to the other side, among the shooters here, and if so, how well did it work? Should I simply try it with my right-handed 870, or buy a friendlier shotgun, such as a double, over-under, or bottom ejector, or even a left-handed model?