Left-hander with right-hand bolt-action?

[DaisyCutter]

It would be strange to shoot a left handed bolt, where I can't easily see and catch the brass cartridge as it ejects.

My bench shooting, a right handed rifle may be easier. Everything happens on the "inside" of the rifle, versus the "outside".

My spent brass never rolls around getting trampled.

 

[Mitlov]

I'm left, and I have some left handed bolt guns. But I find that mostly I shoot them off a bench, and for that I prefer a right handed gun. For shooting offhand I prefer a lever or semi.

but for the price of a mosin these days, I'd pass on them altogether and get a ruger american or something similar. Already tapped for a scope, a significantly more accurate gun, and not much more dollars.

The lack of open sights on the Ruger American is a downside for me (I have to wrap a scope into the initial purchase price), and I can't really feel an emotional connection to the gun. Since I'm buying this mainly for fun and practice, instead of a specific goal like deer or elk, that subjective "emotional connection" aspect matters more than it maybe should.

In terms of modern consumer alternatives to the Mosin (reliable, manufacturer-supported, etc), I do find the Mossberg MVP Patrol kinda sexy in its own right. It comes with open sights, 5.56mm is the same practice-friendly price range as 7.62x54R, and I think it's kinda cool it can take STANAG magazines.

 

[Elkins45]

I'm a lefty and I will always buy the LH bolt gun if given an option. However, if you like to shop the used market or like milsurps you don't get the option all that often. So I have plenty of RH bolt guns, but when I peruse the rifle racks I always keep my eyes open for one with the handle on the 'wrong' side. And when I'm still hunting my chosen rifle is almost always a lefty. RH guns are OK for tree stands, but if I think I might need a fast second shot I want a lefty.

 

[1KPerDay]

https://youtu.be/LLCRkzY4fWw

to the OP, here's a vid of me missing a lot with an Ishy Enfield (shooting left handed) at a local 3-gun. Tried both right hand and left hand bolt maniuplation.

 

[jeepnik]

As a youngster left handed bolt guns were a scarce as hen's teeth. So like most southpaw's I had to learn and adapt.

There is one thing I found that was the most important thing. The shape and position of the bolt handle. Those doglegged down close to the stock were the most difficult to reach. Others that came out at a 90° angle but had to go almost straight up were easier, but that precluded using a scope (no big deal for young eyes).

Our family has a Remington that get's passed around to the newest shooter. Naturally it's right handed. My oldest male cousin is also a lefty. He's the one that showed me the best way to manipulate it. He learned from his mom. Yes, the ladies in my family, for the most part, shoot.

The day I got my lefty 700 was one of the best I've had. It made shooting so much easier. There was one problem though. At times I would still reach for the right handed bolt handle. Oh well, old habits die hard.

 

[Elkins45]

I had a catastrophic case failure while shooting a left handed Savage 110 in 270. The gas jet that blew out of the relief hole violently swept a loaded box of 50 rounds off of the bench to my left. My right (supporting) hand was burned and covered in a jet of soot.

I have occasionally imagined what it would have been like if I were shooting a RH gun when that particular case decided to let go. I sincerely doubt I would still have all of the fingers on my right hand, or possibly my eyesight.

Since that day I have been a much bigger fan of dedicated LH guns.

 

[jeepnik]

Whenever right handed folks tell me that left handed shooters can adapt to right handed guns I always offer to let them shoot my left handed guns. Those willing to admit it realize the error of their ways.

Be it bolt guns, semi or pump shotguns or handguns (including revolvers and semi autos) folks catch on quick when they have to put up with the frustration lefties have for years.

 

[Ironicaintit]

My dad was a lefty...i dont think I can recall him ever shooting a bolt action (not counting the swiss k31)! Lots of semis, levers and pumps.
Im thankful I dont have to deal with that aggravation.

 

[MilsurpShooter]

Left handed, Collect nothing but Surplus mainly. I mean I've got a few non-military firearms don't get me wrong but that's the bulk of them.

And, as wierd as it sounds, I can't get the hang of left handed bolt guns. I noticed it the first time when zeroing in a friends Remington 700. I shoot from a bench rest, front end of the gun supported on a wood block with a sandbag so I usually take my right hand, make a fist and put that under the butt stock to help adjust elevation of the rifle. Fire the gun then everything is done with my right hand, cycle the bolt, insert another round, all the while I can keep my head on the stock and hand holding the rifle.

When I tried with the left handed gun though I just felt all out of sorts. Couldn't hold the rifle up, had to put it on it's side, hand off the rifle to grab the new round and insert it etc.

 

[morcey2]

I'm right handed, but left eye dominant. I started shooting shotguns left handed a couple of years ago and it made a huge difference. I also started shooting iron-sighted rifles left handed at about the same time. It wasn't as big of a difference as it was with the shotgun, but I saw a definite improvement. (I still shoot scoped rifles right handed at the moment.) I own several mosins and it really isn't that big of a deal to shoot them from the left side. The straight bolt handle makes it easier than it would be with a bent handle like you find on a K98k.

What I would focus on isn't the dominant hand ( -handedness), but which eye is your dominant eye. You will see better out of that one because it's dominant and because you can keep both eyes open. When you close one eye, you lose something like 30% of the visual acuity in the open eye. You'll also have less eye fatigue.

As for working the action, I usually just reach over the gun with my left hand and work it that way. As I said before, it's easier with a straight bolt handle as opposed to a bent one. If you're going to use this gun for hunting, I'd suggest something like a Ruger American or other budget left-handed rifle. My son has a RA (right handed) in 308 that shoots extremely well. I like my Mosins and Mausers better for style*, but it's a very accurate gun.

Matt

*yes, I said I like the style of Mosins better than Ruger Americans. So sue me.

 

[axxxel]

Try working the rifle like a right hander would. Yeah, you have to pull the trigger with your right hand, but you get to point the rifle with your left... If people can work keyboards and PlayStation controllers with both hands then rifles shouldn't be much different. I've shot my bolt actions from my (weak) left shoulder a lot, and after about 50 rounds it became almost as easy as strong hand shooting. Except, of course, the controls being inverted.

If I'm abnormally ambidextrous then chances are that you'll find out that you are too, if you give it a decent try.

 

[desidog]

I came back to re-read this thread after posting in it last week.

I don't get the guys who are LH and prefer RH actions - i mean, you can haul firewood in a Miata or a Corolla... but it's easier to haul firewood if you have a truck!

 

[axxxel]

Knowing how easy it is to me (right-hander) to shoot a rifle from my left shoulder, I estimate that to a lot of lefties, it would be well worth it to learn how to shoot from the right shoulder. It's awkward in the beginning, but to me at least, that went away quite quickly.

 

[Mitlov]

Try working the rifle like a right hander would. Yeah, you have to pull the trigger with your right hand, but you get to point the rifle with your left... If people can work keyboards and PlayStation controllers with both hands then rifles shouldn't be much different. I've shot my bolt actions from my (weak) left shoulder a lot, and after about 50 rounds it became almost as easy as strong hand shooting. Except, of course, the controls being inverted.

If I'm abnormally ambidextrous then chances are that you'll find out that you are too, if you give it a decent try.

But I'm left-eye dominant as well as left-handed. Wouldn't that be a problem for aiming a rifle held right-handed?

 

[axxxel]

Yeah I guess that kind of rules out shooting from your right shoulder. I'm partially left eye dominant, which I guess is one of the reasons I'm such a poor shotgun shot.

 

[jeepnik]

Knowing how easy it is to me (right-hander) to shoot a rifle from my left shoulder, I estimate that to a lot of lefties, it would be well worth it to learn how to shoot from the right shoulder. It's awkward in the beginning, but to me at least, that went away quite quickly.

Spoken like a true right handed shooter. To shoot occasionally with the off hand is no big deal. Heck you have to do that in the military and it's a good skill to have. But to handicap oneself by using the non dominant hand for a skill that requires your best motor control is the height of folly.

I figure you probably shoot your right handed bolt gun from your left shoulder. Now get hold of a left handed bolt gun and shoot it from your right shoulder. Start without handling it for a few minutes to familiarize yourself with it. Then make five repeated shots with the same rapidity you can with a right handed bolt gun. The light will come on.

You will either never reach that speed and ease of handling or your hits will be all over the place.

 

[justin22885]

when left handers use bolt actions left handed, they have to turn them upside down first so then the bolt will be on the proper side

 

[CB900F]

Mitlov;

OK, I'm left/left as are you. At one time, long ago, I shot NRA competition with a RH gun which was supplied by the ROTC. Left hand bolt target guns weren't available to me. I was a good enough shot to make the A squad, & still had to get all the shots off in the time allowed. Here's what worked for me.

First, determine if the stock will allow the bolt to move to the rear with the left thumb wrapped naturally around the stock. You don't want to remove skin & possibly meat from that thumb, it hurts. If you can leave the thumb in place things go much easier.

Shot is fired. Rifle is held firmly in the left hand & the stock drops down & is pushed slightly forward with the left hand. At the same time the right hand leaves the forearm & comes back so the outside of the palm below the little finger contacts the bolt handle. The momentum of the gun + the palm lifts the bolt. Left hand moves the now nearly vertical gun up a bit & the right palm allows the bolt to move to the rear. Then the right palm slides the bolt forward, picking up another round. Left hand allows the muzzle to begin to drop, bringing the stock up & right palm closes the bolt. Upon bolt closure the right hand moves forward into position on the forearm & the left hand pockets the stock into the shoulder. Aquire the sight picture & BANG!

Once the skill is acquired, it's easy. But, learning it can be a trial. At the time I had to learn to do it I promised myself that I was going to get a left hand gun. I now have several & see no need to get any RH guns. I'll also echo Hangingrock's sentiments.

900F