Defensive Use Shotguns for Lefties

[LeadSlinger585]

No, not liberals. For left eye dominant folks.

Is there any reason to seek out a left handed pump shotgun (over a cheaper RH shotgun) for the purpose of self-defense?

EDIT:

Folks - thank you for all the different brand/manufacture recommendations. However, my question is not, "what brand should I buy", but rather, what handiness should I buy?

Thank you,
LS585

[aippi]

There is no real option for this with the Remington 870 as the only left handed 870 comes with a 28" Vent Rib Barrel. However, there is a Right hand Eject Left Hand Trigger plate assembly for the 12ga 870. This means any right hand 870 can be used as this trigger plate assembly has the safety set up for a left hand shooter. There is no issue shooting the right had eject shotgun left hand because the empty shell is headed to the ground as soon as it leaves the ejection port.

The Mossberg has the safety on top of the receiver so is often preferred by left hand shooters for that reason.

[fffblackmage]

If you were left handed and left eye dominant, I would figure that's all the reason you'd need to just go with a left-handed gun.

I'm right handed, but an instructor did this strange test (though it made sense afterwards) and said I was left-eye dominant. I tried shooting some clays holding my shotgun left-handed for fun one time, and it just didn't really work out very well. I felt just clumsy and awkward, not to mention I missed all my targets.

[LeadSlinger585]

Aippi, the safety (to me) is not a big issue. The Mossberg is what I am considering, and left hand bird guns can be retrofitted (albeit expensively) to be a defensive shotgun.

The issue I'm looking at are the sidesaddle, the loading port, and interfacing of the two as a southpaw. It's been worked around for years, I know, but does a left side loading port justify the extra $130 expense? See: LH Mossberg 500 Tac and RH Mossberg 500 Tac

If you were left handed and left eye dominant, I would figure that's all the reason you'd need to just go with a left-handed gun.

In a bolt gun, sure. Not so (in my experience) with semi-auto long guns and pistols.

[TripleThreat]

Mossberg 500 or better yet a 590. I feel it's a much better weapon than the 870, not only for the placement of the safety (top center, thumb activated vs trigger finger activated on the right side of the weapon on the 870).

Hope this helps,

Triple

[fitit]

At first I didn't like the moss berg safety, but I think having it on the top is great now! I can shoot it left or right handed. In Home defense situations, the breach is more likely near your hip, not near your face.

Also, the new Mossberg tactical 30-30 has the same top safety...check it out.

[Steve_In_29]

Look for a Steven's 350. It is a clone of the Ithaca37 with bottom feed/eject. Well made shotgun and backed by Savage.

I bought one each for my son and grandson and have been very impressed with them. My son is a leftie so it worked out great for him.

[fitit]

Steve in 29
have a video or picture of the feed eject?

[ChrisBrooklyn]

Look for a Steven's 350. It is a clone of the Ithaca37 with bottom feed/eject. Well made shotgun and backed by Savage.

I bought one each for my son and grandson and have been very impressed with them. My son is a leftie so it worked out great for him.

better yet find an old ithaca, i know i would love one

[aippi]

Mossberg 500 or better yet a 590. I feel it's a much better weapon than the 870, not only for the placement of the safety (top center, thumb activated vs trigger finger activated on the right side of the weapon on the 870).

Hope this helps,

Triple

The Mossberg is simply a Remington 31 with a couple of modifications. In 1950 Remington elected to go with the new 870 over the 31 and abandoned the 31 because the 870 was a superior design. The patent laid dormant for 10 years so Mossberg picked it up in 1960. Remington must have made the right choice because he we are 10 Million + 870's later. It you would be more accurate to state simply that you prefer the Mossberg over the 870 as for you that would be a 100% true statement. Claiming it is a much better weapon is subjective. I have a 590 and would never hesitate to take it to a fight if my 870 was not available.

[Barbarossa]

I hunt with a few lefties, and they like the BPS, as it is bottom eject.

I wouldn't worry about speed loading unless it's for competition.

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail-historic.asp?fid=011B&cid=012&tid=244

[aippi]

Aippi, the safety (to me) is not a big issue. The Mossberg is what I am considering, and left hand bird guns can be retrofitted (albeit expensively) to be a defensive shotgun.

The issue I'm looking at are the sidesaddle, the loading port, and interfacing of the two as a southpaw. It's been worked around for years, I know, but does a left side loading port justify the extra $130 expense? See: LH Mossberg 500 Tac and RH Mossberg 500 Tac



In a bolt gun, sure. Not so (in my experience) with semi-auto long guns and pistols.

I was not even aware Mossberg made that gun. They should make it in the 590. They will corner the market even with the 500 version. Shows they care about what shooters need and want. Remington will not even make a left hand 870 barrel other then the 28" VR BS. They show no interest in making a defense gun for left hand shooters. Of course you can turn the Left hand 870 into something like this.

[cindynles]

Bottom feed / eject Ithaca 37 is a great lefty shotgun. You can buy a new one from the "new" Ithaca Gun Company, or you can pick up an older used one pretty cheap. I wind up buying used 37's all the time when I find them in one of the local gun stores. I think the most I've paid was $350.

This is my HD Ithaca 37 with a Surefire light.

http://www.ithacagun.com/

[DArBad]

Aippi, the safety (to me) is not a big issue. The Mossberg is what I am considering, and left hand bird guns can be retrofitted (albeit expensively) to be a defensive shotgun.

The issue I'm looking at are the sidesaddle, the loading port, and interfacing of the two as a southpaw. It's been worked around for years, I know, but does a left side loading port justify the extra $130 expense? See: LH Mossberg 500 Tac and [url=http://www.mossberg.com/product/shotguns-pump-action-mossberg-500-tactical-500-tactical-6-shot/50420]RH Mossberg 5s.

Like aippi, I didn't know such an animal exist in the Mossberg lineup.

Does it justify the higher price?........only YOU can answer that.

[kilrain]

The Mossberg is simply a Remington 31 with a couple of modifications. In 1950 Remington elected to go with the new 870 over the 31 and abandoned the 31 because the 870 was a superior design. The patent laid dormant for 10 years so Mossberg picked it up in 1960. Remington must have made the right choice because he we are 10 Million + 870's later. It you would be more accurate to state simply that you prefer the Mossberg over the 870 as for you that would be a 100% true statement. Claiming it is a much better weapon is subjective. I have a 590 and would never hesitate to take it to a fight if my 870 was not available.

Remington designed and built the 870 because it was cheaper and simpler to manufacture than the Model 31, yet just as robust as the Winchester Model 12 which pretty much owned the market at the time, not because the 870 was a superior design from a functional standpoint.

I agree that one being better than the other, 500/590 or 870, is pretty subjective.