Defensive Use Shotguns for Lefties

[kilrain]

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?

That sounds like something you need to figure out by shooting/handling a left handed model. I'm grateful that I'm not a lefty but my dad is and I've watched him shoot in a right hand dominated firearms world since I was kid, it looks very inconvenient to downright uncomfortable at times to say the least.

[aippi]

You are correct the 870 is a simpler design and thus more reliable and more Murphy resistant. But they choose it over the 31 for many reason. I don't judge these models by where controls are, price, looks or many of the other reason others do. I am a Certified Remington and Mossberg Armorer and know these guns from the inside out. Both have strong points. Dual extractors of the Mossberg meant nothing years ago, however, now with all this crap steel based no QC ammo, the dual extractors of the Mossberg can be a big plus. The ease of replacing the ejector is something I wish the 870 had. But those are the only two issues I put the Mossberg over the 870. The 870 is as you said a simple design. It is more robust and the one I choose based on my complete knowledge of both which means my statement is an objective one based on in depth knowledge of both. And yes, I have a 590A. I also have a 500 that is in .410 and serves diligently in my annual battles against Gopher Gong that invade my yard each spring.

I believe if both were completely broke down and laid out on a table where one could compare parts and components the majority of gun owners would choose the 870 after such a detailed inspection.

Anyway. To many This -v- That threads already. Will certainly say that for any Left hand shooter wanting a dependable defense gun that left hand Mossberg will those in that role for sure.

[shortround1]

Does your right eye still function? Why can't you just use that?

[LeadSlinger585]

Does your right eye still function? Why can't you just use that?

No, I'm a pirate. I'm trading in my cutlass for a shotty.

EDIT: Not a Somalian pirate though - those guys are a disgrace to the profession.

[shortround1]

Haha, fair enough. Have you seen the video of Russian Navy using Somali pirates as target practice?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLj3aYPXEEo

[Steve_In_29]

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

Nope sorry but there is probably something on youtube if you look.

The shells load the same as any other shotgun while the action is setup to eject through the same loading port. The empties end up on the ground about 4' in front of you. No traditional ejection port means both sides of the receiver can have a side-saddle on them.

Actual Ithacas and the Browning BPS also work the same way.

[Knight]

I'm a little late to the party, but I think I'll take a crack at answering OP's question, especially since I'm faced with buying another pump shotgun and am reexamining my own stance on the topic.

First, background: I'm a left-eye-dominant shooter. I have taken professional shooting courses with a standard-configuration Remington 870. I have owned and shot a standard-configuration 870 since 2004.

Keeping in mind I haven't shot a left-eject pump shotgun before, I would say you will be fine with a right-eject pump. In fact, some actions can be easier for lefties with standard-config pumps, such as loading a shell from the ejection port. Some actions will be performed differently for you, but overall I think you should be able to handle it just fine.

The only real disadvantage I can think of with using a right-eject model would be in the event of an out-of-battery discharge or similar scenario, but realistically the chances of such a thing happening are so low as to be hardly worth considering. Maybe if you do a lot of experimenting with handloads, I dunno... Something to think about, at least.

[ke6guj]

I have no issues as a lefty running a righty-shotgun except that if it has a rear crossbolt safety, my trigger finger will often engage the safety as I pull the trigger. I prefer a front crossbolt safety so I don't have to worry about accidentilly engaging the safety.

my Beretta 1301 Comp is a right-eject shotgun but it can be set up to run for a lefty very easily. the front crossbolt safety can be reversed, no need to buy a different trigger group. but even if you didn't reverse it, you don't have to worry about accidentily engaging it with your trigger finger.

it comes with stock shims to change the stock cast from "cast off" which is better for right handed shooters to "cast on" which fits left-handed shooters. as for having the loading port on the right, I actually prefer that, makes it real easy and fast to port load since you can watch the round go into the port, support hand bolt-handle and bolt-close manipulation is right there in front of you. You don't have to work on the back side of the gun and go only by feel.

[M1NM]

I shoot rifles and shotguns LH. Went to the trouble of finding/buying an Ithica 37 bottom eject. The Ithica is gone and I've still got an 870. I think Remington made a LH 870. You might find one on GunBroker then cut or buy a short barrel.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

I've used unmodified right handed 870's for decades, no problems. It's easier for us lefties to combat load the right handed version as we can see the ejection port. On my "social purposes" 870, I've fitted the RH eject/LH trigger plate assembly that that JD mentioned, but never bothered to on the others. Bought myself a left handed 1100, but having shot it for a while, I wouldn't care to pay the extra bucks again, I don't have any more difficulty running it than I did the right hand version.

The Mossberg 500 is also a good choice; I've had a couple.

[mafbloggerdanny]

I am a lefty (with rifles) and recently got a mossberg 500 specifically because of ergos. the top mounted safety is easy for me as a lefty and i don't want to use a pistol grip. I haven't taken any professional tactical courses but just in my limited experience reloading, i see no reason or advantage in a left-eject shotgun.

On reloads, you hold the gun with your trigger hand and rotate your wrist to give yourself a visual of the open chamber and mag tube. feed your first round into the chamber, rack the slide forward and continue loading the mag tube until full. If you have a side saddle, it's simple enough to reach underneath and pull the shells out with your support hand, while keeping hold of the gun firmly with your trigger hand.

I don't see how you're any more likely to fumble with this as a lefty than you would as a right-handed shooter. Check out this video. This guy is demonstrating some good techniques that look simple enough even for a newb like me to understand.


the guy in the foreground (lefty) makes it look easy. what a boss. notice the guy on the other side, traditional right handed shooter, fumbling awkwardly trying to do the same operation.

[bk23103]

I'm a lefty. I like the center mounted safety on my 500, but can function fine with the trigger guard safety on my 870. Ejection port isn't an issue for me, and neither is the side saddle. You develop a technique and adapt to a right handed gun, just as you have everything else in the world.

Some folks look at how I manipulate my right handed guns as a lefty and think it's strange. Others, like the gunstore owner who performed my last SHD, remarked, "Wow - you've done that before."