Left-handed women's Over & Under

[andrewdl007]

I just got married and I think it is time my wife has her own shotgun. She 5'4'' and left handed. I want to get her an over & under but need to find something with a shorter LOP. The only shotgun that has ever fit her was an 870 youth model.

I have read conflicting accounts of whether O/U shotguns are canted to fit a right-hand shooter.I like the Browning Citori Micro Midas for her in 20 or 12 with the 24'' or 26'' barrel (I usually shoot a 12ga Citori or a Superposed). We mainly shoot sporting clays but she might also do some upland game and waterfowl as well.

Do any of you have suggestions? I'd like to stick around $1000 for the gun and I figure a left-hand smaller gun would be hard to find used.

Thanks
Andrew

 

[desidog]

Yes, you can certainly have a O/U stock fit to a 5'4" lefty. The difference between LH and RH stock is how much caste there is - the distance from the center of the butt to the center of the barrel axis - they are "cast off" and "cast on". Cast off is to the right side as seen from the rear; and cast on is to the left side.

After you find a suitable gun, you take it to someone knowledgeable* to have it custom fit - this involves a bunch of vises and steam, and maybe a radial arm saw to decrease the length of pull...

I am a Superposed fan myself, and when i was getting my wife into shooting i picked one up for a good discount because it had been chopped down for a shorty... and my wife just so happens to be vertically challenged as well.

YMMV, but i'd recommend a shorter barrel length if you have a shorter buttstock to keep things balanced; although others may chime in about longer barrels being better for clays.

*:not every gunsmith is knowledgeable...especially the ones who focus or black rifles and pistols, and not sporting shotguns.

 

[olafhardtB]

What's the matter with an 870 youth model? Do you also pick out her clothes. I think 870's are cuter than O/U's. Telling her what get can be a bad way to start.

 

[kudu]

I think Beretta has certain O/U's that are left hand friendly. I know many lefties don't care for standard auto's and pumps because of the shells ejecting past their face.

 

[greyling22]

I can't really comment too much about the CZ o/u, but they make a left hand o/u that can be had for less than $1k. chop the stock to whatever length you want.
http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-southpaw-sterling-12-gauge-29-barrels/

and you can have many stocks bent to fit you.

 

[oneounceload]

Not in your budget, but meets all of your other criteria:

http://syrenusa.com/

As a division of Caesar Guerini and Fabarm, the goal of Syren is to provide products that are exclusively designed for every female shooter. We want to finally end the need for making compromises. No more modifying existing products, no more paint to cover up an altered stock, no more youth models being pushed towards you as your only option. Our shotguns and accessories are designed just for women and led by women. Everyone involved with Syren, from our female management team to our pro-staff ladies, are committed to producing the best products possible so that there will be no more compromises when it comes to our lady shooters and their needs.

PS - don't get her a 20ga or a 24" barrel.

 

[andrewdl007]

She liked the fit of the youth 870 but likes over unders better and she just hasn't found one to fit her. She can handle a 12ga on my heavy Citori but I'm not sure if she would like it on a lighter smaller frame.

 

[oneounceload]

Check out those Cesar Guerini Syrens..................she'll like them.

 

[clang]

Some of the Berettas and Brownings from the 70s and 80s have no cast, a lefty can shoot them just fine.

 

[oneounceload]

^^^ That would depend on what they need to have the gun fit them properly. There is a reason folks need either cast on or off.............

 

[clang]

^^^ The budget is $1,000, not exactly custom gun territory. Trim the stock to fit and add a recoil pad.

 

[HexHead]

The new a Ruger Red Labels have a neutral cast, and can be used right or left handed equally well. Good luck finding one for $1,000 now that they've been discontinued again.

 

[oneounceload]

Ruger Red Labels..............been discontinued again

All that needs to be said in that regard

 

[HexHead]

All that needs to be said in that regard

Ruger was losing about $500 on each one they sold. Couldn't manufacture them as efficiently as they planned. To price them were they needed to be, they'd come right up against a Beretta Silver Pigeon, which was the death sentence.

They were a great value at the price they were introduced at, and still a pretty good one after the first price increase last September. But even at that they were unsustainable.

 

[oneounceload]

They also had quality issues. I owned a first gen 28 gauge. It was a nightmare.

 

[Sunray]

You need to take her shopping. I suspect you'll find there's no such thing as left handed O/U too, but it ain't going to be your shotgun. It'll be hers. She has to pick it out and be fitted for it, not you.
Have a look at the Stevens M555. Comes with 5 chokes and 12, 20, 28 or 410. $692 MSRP.

 

[oneounceload]

I suspect you'll find there's no such thing as left handed O/U too

There are guns with stocks made for LH folks and there are also LH guns with the lever working the opposite way, etc.

 

[98Redline]

As a lefty with a RH operating control shotgun, I would say don't worry about that.
Getting the stock properly sized and having the cast set correctly for a LH shooter is what should be paramount.

 

[oneounceload]

^^^Exactly. I prefer to push the top lever instead or trying to pull it with my thumb. Same for a RH gas autoloader - hold gun in LH drop round in chamber facing up, hit the release and load in the chamber and I am ready to call "pull"