870 for son

[stevesmith7]

I was in the new Gander Mountain in Denver yesterday with my 12 year old son and we were looking at 870's as a first shotgun for shooting clays. He's a big kid, about 5'6" but his arms are still short so even the youth model was kind of long for him. No big deal I can always cut anything down to fit. Here's my question. He shoots left handed. The 870 is available in a left handed model but it's a 12 guage. I don't have a problem reloading really light loads for that so I'm not worried about recoil but the 12 is going to be bigger than the youth 20. Is having a left handed pump really a big advantage? My preference is to get the lefty 12, put a youth stock on in and have something he can use forever when he grows up. Maybe we just need to wait another year untill he gets bigger?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Clemson]

I have a young friend who shoots left handed but who got the Youth Model 870 20 gauge with a right-handed action. It has been no problem for him. He shoots it quite well. He has even adapted to the safety without having to get a left-hand safety.

The big difference in the 12 and the 20 is the carrying weight of the gun. This really is not a problem if you are shooting targets. It can be a chore for a youngster to haul around an 8 pound gun in the field, however.

For a really soft-recoiling gun, get a 20 gauge Youth Model 1100. The gas system really spreads out the recoil. The difference between an 870 and an 1100 in "felt" recoil is amazing.

Clemson

 

[Swamprabbit]

The big problem I've had with the 870 "youth" models is that even though the stock is cut shorter, the forearm is still too far forward. The Winchester youth model sets the forearm back but the stock and forearm are unnecessarily bulky (IMO).

I guess it isn't available in lefty version but I may suggest looking into an 870 in 28 gauge. I just love this little gun and my 11 year old dearly loves it. It is just big enough to hunt doves with and many skeet shooters use it as well. If your son plans on spending a lot of time behind the trigger, it will make for a more pleasant day at the range.

 

[Rupestris]

Steve,
I shoot left-handed and have no problem with the right-handed 870's. In fact, I prefer them. There is little disadvantage to using a RH pump gun in the LH. The safety being the biggest. They can be converted to LH by a smith.

RH 870s are easier to find used.
They are easier to sell later if you so choose. (Blasphemy. I know.)
LH barrels are hard to find while RH barrels are everywhere.

If you are willing to wait a year then I'd suggest using that year to hunt down a used WingMaster without the "J" lock safety and plastic trigger group, and a nice blued finish. Add a youth stock then go to work trying to wear it out. They're out there if you got the time.

 

[Plinkerton]

My friend is a lefty, and he's always been told to just take the time to learn everything righty. His handguns have righty safeties, etc. I guess the idea behind that is most guns are right handed, and if you ever needed to use one in a stressful situation, that wasn't yours, it would probably be right handed.

Personally, I like being a righty, cause it's a right handed world out there...

 

[Rupestris]

most guns are right handed

Aside from those without ambi-safeties, I find the 1911 to be a very left-hand friendly handgun. Mag release, and slide stop are both on the "drivers" side. Because of this, a LH shooter naturally takes his finger off the trigger to opperate either of them. This isn't the handgun forum, is it? Sorry.

The least lefty-friendly gun I've fired has to be the Marlin leverguns in pistol calibers. They drop a hot little shell in the bend of my arm every time. Of course this probably isn't the case with everyone. Doh, Not the rifle forum either... :banghead:

if you ever needed to use one in a stressful situation, that wasn't yours, it would probably be right handed.

Somehow, I never thought of that but it makes plenty of sense to me. As long as its not a bullpup, and I get a left ear full of hot brass/plastic I think I could manage with anothers SG/rifle/handgun (if need be).

 

[stevesmith7]

I can understand why a right handed pump would be ok for a lefty, but what about a right handed semi? The 1100 does seem like a good option.

Steve

 

[Plinkerton]

It might be okay. I would imagine that the empties were thrown out sideways enough, to not hit the shooter. I think it would just matter if the lefty felt comfortable racking the slide, and using the safety, loading it, etc.