Jump to content

can a left handed person shoot a right handed gun well enough?


raphael262
 Share

Recommended Posts

I would imagine it would be a bit awkward depending on the amount of cast . If your intention is to take clay or sporting shotgun shooting up I would certainly look into buying one that's fit's. You will not shoot well if it doesn't fit.

Like a pair of shoe's, yes they may cover your feet but you won't be happy wearing them for long. Lol

Edited by Dougy
Link to comment
Share on other sites

im left handed and only have acess to right handed guns. will i be able to shoot well enough with them ? im not entering any comps or anything just a bit of clay shooting and quite alot of vermin shooting

 

Depends on the gun and how much cast it has, some are almost straight, some dead straight, few have so much cast as to make them impossible to shoot wrong handed. I have also seen a Blazer with left hand cast on that had had the left side of the stock shaved off slightly to allow a right handed person see straight down the rib !

 

A friend of mine achieved AA standard shooting a deliberately left hand cast gun from the right shoulder, a mechanic by trade he actually bent his own guns and has a very unconventional shooting style.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I bought two of my shotguns - both right handers - from a left handed shooter. He had them for several years, and they are well used, so yes, you can use a right handed gun. It will take practice, and you may or may not like doing it ....................... it is all down to you. Definitely a case of "suck it and see", I think. :yes:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Came 6th in a clay comp with a left handed baikal. Didn't even know till after the comp. I had issues with the Beretta days before the comp and had to find a cheap alternative! I bought a Baikal O/U and on the day did quite well. I had only been shooting around 6 month. As people say, there are some out there with no cast and designed to be pretty much universal. You can HAVE a stock cast to fit you personally. Or you can add a comb raiser to help fit too. I have a Laurona O/U "miroku twin" an old battered O/U for the hide, a hammer s/s and a semi auto. Of ALL the guns, I shoot best with the old battered O/U. Good with the auto, OK with the Laurona, Naff with the S/S.

 

I know where I am going wrong with the S/S but it's correcting the problem without having to think about it, Incoming birds need to be chased from behind, bring the barrel over the bird and then in front before firing. Trouble is I instinctively pull the trigger when I have them on the bead. I need to work on it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm lefthanded and have owned both left and right handed guns.

 

Like you, I have no desire to enter comps and have shot "OK" with both. But as has been said, only you will know the difference as it affects you.

 

Remember though the cast "on" or "off" centre, at the heel, is only about 4mm on most guns. ie the difference in cast between a left and right handed gun is about 8mm.

 

Based on what you've said 9ie you're not into comps etc) my gut reaction is that the cast is not going to make a huge difference in real terms. However, I agree with johnphilip - it's worth getting this checked properly as you have a responsibility to dispatch live quarry cleanly.

 

EDIT: Bakerboy posted as I was typing this. Take him up on his kind offer.

Edited by FinFerNan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I shoot with a chap who shoots right handed guns off his left shoulder. He mainly shoots semi autos. He has had most makes Hatsan. Remington and at the moment he is using a 400xcell he shoots a lot of English skeet and his scores are between 22 and straight. So as far as I can see no problem.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When I first got into clays 20 od years ago I had a right handed remmy 1100 never once saw a flash or ejected cartridge

I shot at a good standard in them good old days

Now my rugby career is over I'm back at it I always wanted an old sxs so bought a left handed aya countryman I'd be better off running up and bashing the bloody clays with it my 16 year old son makes me look stupid with an old banger laurona we got him

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If it didn't make any difference at all, would not all guns be straight stocked?

 

Double triggers, position of safety catch and (for autos) empty shells ejected across the body can be distracting or more awkward for the 'opposite' hand.

 

The gun should, ideally, come to the shoulder naturally for sighting along the barrel. Things are often not ideal, but guns specially made for individuals are made to fit them. Some (many) make do with what they have, most choose a weapon that mounts easily for them. It is often the length of stock or drop that is the fit to the person who knows no difference between a 'fitted' gun and an 'off the shelf' item. A fitted gun is like a suit - if it fits well, it is likely more comfortable and shows just that little bit of extra quality.

 

Having said that, an awful lot can be average enough or simply put up with an off the shelf suit. Only you can tell whether you can accommodate a small amount of mis-match.

 

My brother and I are both naturally right handed, but I shoot from my left shoulder (the only thing I do left handed!). He can use anything within reason, but I cannot get on so well with anything without a cast on stock, and preferably a very cast on stock!

 

RAB

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The straight answer is YES and 'it depends' (on what you mean by 'well enough').

 

A left handed person will shoot a right handed gun by adjusting his gun mount and stance - by how much will depend on the person, the gun (especially its cast) and how easy, consistently and naturally it happens will also depend on the person. As a general rule he/she will be a little slower, have to work a little harder - and be more likely to make gun mount errors (i.e. less consistent).

 

It is always best to have a gun that fits with an instinctive natural mount. That gives speed, consistency and a relaxed mount - all of which will improve your shooting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm left handed and have shot both right and left handed guns since I started shooting. I've never had an issue with hitting with either, but I have to say when I bought a left handed gun (beretta) notice that left hand cast guns don't 'hit' me in the face like right handed ones do after firing a lot of shots and are much more comfortable to shoot/mount better.....so I'd 100% say why handicap yourself by shooting with a wrong handed gun?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...