Need help from Left-Handed Shotgunners

[B!ngo]

Looking to buy a home defense/tactical style 12 gauge. I am left handed and strongly prefer a model that is designed to be either ambi (in ALL respects) or true left handed.
I also tend to favor pump over semi (over/under is just a non-starter) due to the stated though controversial superior reliability.
So far, the list, being quite short is:
Remington 870 LH
Ithica 37 ambi
Kel Tek KSG ambi (though not yet available in CA-legal config).
My strong preference is for the Kel-Tec because I am a true believe in bull-pup designs, especially for close-quarters work. Of course it's not yet available but I'm sure it will be in 6-8 months and I'm willing to wait.
Any informed opinions on these from LH'ed shooters and, of course, any other suggestions?
BTW, what is the shotgun of choice for LE's and/or Highway Patrol in this state?
Thanks,
B

[Brandon04GT]

Have you looked at Mossbergs? I am left handed and have a 590A1. I like where the controls are compared to 870's.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

The 870 with a left handed trigger group works pretty well. The Mossberg is a close second as the slide release is a little awkward for left handers. It's been years since I've handled an Ithica and I've never laid hands on a KSG (and won't considering the vastly inflated prices - maybe when they return to Earth) and so have no opinions of them.

[exzpl0sive]

As a left handed shooter, I love my Mossberg 590's tang/thumb safety. The thumb safety, as opposed to the 870 LH, will offer you more flexibility in ambidextrous shooting.

[ivanimal]

http://www.ithacagun.com/defense37s.html

[B!ngo]

Thanks for the comments so far. My issue, beyond location of the controls, is having the ejector located in such a way that it travels in front of my line of sight. Or, more negatively, occasionally blows a hot shell in my hair or face. Or, worse yet, there is a burst or split shell and gasses leak out of the ejector opening in front of my eyes. I remember as a kid getting .22 brass in my hair now and then. No biggie when it's a .22. It's happened to me with a handgun not long ago when a case split and the hot gas and black soot went up my hand and sprayed my face a bit. No likey. So, I plan to indulge myself and live the life of a righty with my shotgun.

[ivanimal]

http://www.ithacagun.com/defense37s.html

Bottom eject!

[prc77]

I am a left handed long gun shooter. The Mossberg 500 is PERFECT for a lefty. Tang mounted safety, can't get more ambi than that. The action slide release is simple to manipulate. The chamber and loading port easy to see. a major advantage.
Even with a 12" LOP, 3500 rounds down range hot hull's or gases have never been an issue.
Although KSG is an intersting design. I will stick with the old school pump gun.

[Rob454]

^^^^^ this
Bottom eject.

[BigFatGuy]

I've put nearly a thousand rounds through a 590 without feeling any heat on my face or getting a shell in my hair. This is unusual, as almost every pistol I've ever fired bounces brass off the top of my head at some point.

[BigDogatPlay]

Looking to buy a home defense/tactical style 12 gauge. I am left handed and strongly prefer a model that is designed to be either ambi (in ALL respects) or true left handed.
I also tend to favor pump over semi (over/under is just a non-starter) due to the stated though controversial superior reliability.
So far, the list, being quite short is:
Remington 870 LH
Ithica 37 ambi

One of the problems with true left handed guns, as well as true right handed guns, is that they (to a point) ignore that one may have to shoot off the opposite shoulder in a critical situation. Regardless of what gun you buy, practice off both shoulders.

FWIW there are a number of reasons why a pump is superior to a semi-auto in a personal defense shotgun, but that's a topic for a different thread.

The Ithaca 37 pattern, mimicked by the BPS and the Chinese made Stevens Tactical (photo below) with it's bottom ejection is probably the best, most logical and most readily available approach to a truly ambidextrous gun. The Stevens gun is available at a pretty reasonable price point.

BTW, what is the shotgun of choice for LE's and/or Highway Patrol in this state?

Remington 870, in overwhelming numbers. There are some agencies that deploy Benelli semi-autos.

[greybeard]

I use to shoot sporting clays with a right handed semi auto off my left shoulder and never had anything hit me. Wish I could say the same for shooting pistols right handed indoors.
I once had a Glock 17 every shot hit me between the eyes.
FYI my HD smooth bores are Mossberg

[MossbergMan]

Why didn't law enforcement stick with the nodel 37? Simple, the timing required to have a shell eject and load from the same hole is critical. The 37 suffered from "getting out of time" and would eject a live round with the spent hull effectivly reducing your magazine capacity to half.
I've seen the Steven's knock off and it llooks good and has some nice features, but being left handed myself I love my Mossbergs. I do have a Benelli. and an 870 that I converted to left handed (870 has a lefthanded trigger group, not a lefthand gun). With the safety on top there's never a question if my safety is engaged or not....it's right there in front of my face :-)

[utvtactical]

Winchester 120, 1200 or 1300 for lefty

The Winchester 120, 1200 and 1300 series have the slide release on the left side of the receiver. Though they are right handed guns, I find them easy to use. A good used one can be had for $200-300.00 and they are finished nicer than a current Mossberg or 870. I have a 20 gauge and an 18" stainless 12 gauge.

[tankerman]

Here's my 870