Straight Pull Bolt Actions and You

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OdinAEon

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Hello. I am a left handed shooter and I am looking for anyone's experiences with any straight pull bolts. I know that there are several that have been made, and I just want to know more about all of them. Especially if they were ever made in a left handed version.

I know a little about these:
K31
Browning Acera
Mauser Model 96 (not the swede, 1996)
Blaser R93/R8
Steyr M95

I know very little about these:
Lee-Navy
Ross
Straight Pull based on AR platform
Ruger Mini 14 Straight pull

Any more info on any of these rifles would be awesome. And everyone's opinions on the ones they have handled and shot.

Leonard
 
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I own a K31 and I'm a lefty. I find operating the bolt with my left hand is smoother and easier than with the right hand as I have to move my left thumb out of the bolt's rearward path. There is also a left handed conversion you can buy for the bolt handle, it's no gunsmithing, but I don't think it really matters that much.
 
Funny you posted this now. I'm eyeing a Steyr M95 by a private seller for some $70 locally. I have a K31 but I've read not to expect such a smooth action on the M95.
 
I am also a lefty.

Steyr M95 is good, but stiff feed and extraction.

K-31 even less so, the barrel shape bolt handle is hard to grab. You could get a St. Marie Grafix left-hand-bolt-adaptor.

Leverguns are always good for a lefthanded shooter.

But by far the fastest, slickest, most accurate, and best overall rifle I've played with as a lefty is my M1905 Ross Mk II*. It's a very, very good gun, and very lefty friendly. My Ross 1910 is good, but the 1905 is much better, at least in my opinion, in all regards except the sights- the 1910 has better sights.

Of course everyone will now proceed to tell you how the bolt will explode and kill you, but that's the price of not worshipping a Mauser.
 
Straight-pull Mini 14 is sold in places where people aren't allowed to own semi-autos, like Great Britain.

I own a K31, but I am a righty. I really like my rifle, it's easy to use. Kind of spoils me for using regular bolts when I shoot it much.
 
Since having my K31, I really don't care too much for turn-bolt guns now, lol. I still own 'em and shoot 'em, but they're not as well-liked lol. I would have to say that yes, the K31 does spoil others.
 
I know it's tempting to forget the BRNO ZOM 451 22LR, but it at least deserves mention. AFAIK, it wasn't offered in LH.
 
Don't forget the rem7600 series of pump rifles. These shoot just as well as their bolt gun contemporaries of similar weight and are readily avalible. Plus they're leftie friendly

Because fundamentally the only difference in a pump and a straight pull is which hand operates the action

posted via tapatalk using android.
 
Revised

After reading some of the posts, I updated my first post, and I am extremely thankful for the info so far. I am probably going to try to get a K31 and find that left hand conversion. I fount one here:
http://www.swissdagger.com/

But I have not been able to locate the St. Marie one. Do any of you find persons have a link or a catalog/phone number of someone who can get me one?

Probably I am the most interested in the mauser 96. that thing looks slick.

Len
 
SwissDagger, Stephen, can get you an original Bergin devise. They are pricey as new. He may have used for a little less. The less expensive(but high quality indeed) St.Marie one is manufactured by Pierre's company, Swiss Products. And you may only purchase through either Graf n Sons or Brownells. He has other items also available thru the same sources. Try a search engine looking for Swiss Products-K-31. best-o-luck
 
I like the Swiss straight pulls, 1911 Long rifle, 1911 Short rifle and definetly the K31.
I have a Steyr M95 and it doesnt compare at ALL to the Swiss rifles.
 
The old Lee Navy is actually a pretty nifty rifle. But ammo is nigh impossible to find, (I'm not sure anyone even has dies these days!) and there were so few made that the very few survivors really are collectors items. Even minty Kraigs are common compared to it. I do know where one bubba'd carbine model (~7k made total) is for sale for only $1,800 but I doubt I'd tell anyone because I have this fantasy of scrounging the $$$ and restoring it to USMC glory.

Other than that, someday I want a K31.
 
My Blaser R8 professional is the finest rifle I have ever handled / owned. I highly recommend it. I like that it can be taken down easily into a compact carrying case, that the action is smooth and fast, and that it is way more accurate than I will ever be. Take a look at the R8 kit that includes the rifle, pelican case (sized not to incur excess baggage fees on an airline), saddle mount, Zeiss scope, Boker knife, and surfire light.
 
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+1 on the Blaser. I am a lefty, and got the R8 Professional kit with a 6.5x55 barrel, standard weight, and added a 9.3x62 barrel as well. They are pricey, but very good shooters.
 
Accepting the Blasers, I think I have decided for now to try to get a k31 and get the left hand conversion. Seems like it would be perfect for me. The only question now is, how many of you would hate me for butchering the rifle... I would want this as a sporting arm, and it be available in a readily available round. So would .308 work? or should I just break down and start reloading? I already have a left handed 70 in .270 WSM and ammo for that isn't cheap. Suggestions?
 
I have an M1905 Ross -- first of all, it's heavy, because it requires a longer receiver and telescoping bolt. Secondly, the M1905 has some of the worst sights ever put on a rifle (the M1910 with the adjustble peep sight is much better.) Finally, while it takes determination to insert the bolt into the receiver in the locked position, it can be done. With disasterous results.
 
My 1905 has an adjustable peep, my 1910 does not. My 1905 cannot physically accept the bolt in any direction but unlocked, the 1910 theoretically could if it were not fitted with an armorer pinned bolt that precludes such.
 
My M1905 has the tinyest rear notch you ever saw -- almost impossible to use. And just for grins, I managed to get the locked bolt back into the receiver.

My opinion is the Canadians should never have dropped the Ross -- by now, their national IQ would be ten points higher.:p
 
Odin,I don't have multi thousands available for a Blaser either. Why go to 308? Unless you find one already in 308, it will cost big$$$$ to convert, regardless of what anyone else may think. Already, since 1908, the GP-(19)11 round is a ballistic clone for the 7.62Nato/308Win. Reload for your Swiss. Or store bought ammo is readily availalbe.Who do you think is going to rebarrel your rifle for you? A number of people may say that it can be done and then back up. Yes, it can be rebarreled. But it isn't going to be easy to find a smith to take the job or cheap. I believe that you'll pay more for the new barrel than for the cost of the rifle and cost of the lefty adapter. Maybe you have someone close to you available for the work. If no then do a search for-larry racine gun work. He's in New Hampshire and if I ever rebarrel, it would probably be through his shop. There are probably others available in the US but I don't know of anyone else, except for some Swiss shops. The 1911 type is an easy straight forward conversion, not so with the K-31. If it was easy or cheap, most the 31's in this country would be converted already.best-o-luck
 
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