Mike737 Posted May 22, 2016 Report Share Posted May 22, 2016 So, as some of you will know, I've been suffering from what was diagnosed as Frozen Shoulder for the last three years or so. I've had several injections, and reduction surgery, non of which has helped at all. Having just seen the consultant again, he now says I really need a new shoulder joint. But: I'm self-employed, and the time out of action would kill my business, so it will have to wait. But the lack of shooting is killing me. (It's my right shoulder obviously). So my question is, can a right handed shooter learn to shoot left handed? I'm right-eyed as well... Has anyone done it, how hard was it? I can do almost nothing with my left hand other than hold a fork... Thanks, Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ph5172 Posted May 22, 2016 Report Share Posted May 22, 2016 I have known lads swap left to right to try different guns on range days, but they all say its uncomfortable and not natural. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesj Posted May 22, 2016 Report Share Posted May 22, 2016 It can be done I know someone that swapped after an injury. not sure of the ins and outs of doing it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger-Mouse Posted May 22, 2016 Report Share Posted May 22, 2016 A guy at our shoot did it because of eye dominance issues. He`s become so used to it that shooting right-handed now feels wrong to him. And one of my mates can shoot pretty well left-handed despite being naturally right-handed. He just does it every now and again to mess about/show off. I`ve tried it a couple of times and it feels horribly wrong but I suspect that with practice that feeling would go away. If for whatever reason that became the only way I could shoot I`d certainly give it a good go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remmy1100 Posted May 22, 2016 Report Share Posted May 22, 2016 (edited) i have recently swapped right to left after a eye injury it was hard at first but now feels ok the biggest problem was the stocks on my guns were all right handed cast but having changed them no problems, on the rifles ive found a adjustable cheek piece has helped also but swapping trigger fingers from right to left is hard as find left not so sensitive ,not got the feel for trigger .. but im still knocking bunnies and foxes down so no different or you could get a bendy stock and still shoot right eyed j Edited May 22, 2016 by remmy1100 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted May 22, 2016 Report Share Posted May 22, 2016 I'm a leftie, and pretty terrible on clays (as those I shot with last year would testify) However, because I'm viewed by people who know me as an experienced shot, when at a stag do a few months ago they insisted I shot right-handed "to even things up". Yes, the clays were relatively slow and on the 'lessons' area of the ground, but I still hit 18 out of 25. I was quite shocked ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted May 22, 2016 Report Share Posted May 22, 2016 After over 30 years shooting right handed I lost my right eye so had no option but to change - you can get cross over stocks but never fancied one myself. It is strange at first but within a year you will be fine - your main problem is going to be your right eye dominance and finding a convenient way of over coming it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14Supersport04 Posted May 22, 2016 Report Share Posted May 22, 2016 One of the guys i shoot with very often started of shooting right handed but due to injury had to switch to left handed. All i will say is 20 odd years later he is a phenomenal shot at both clay and game, in particular high pheasant. Anything is possible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted May 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2016 Thanks all, it may well be worth a try then, though I doubt I have 20 years shooting left in me... I will have a crack with my 'right-handed' guns, as I don't want to buy lefties until I'm sure. And 'Er indoors won't let me!!! Any more advice or comments welcome! Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted May 22, 2016 Report Share Posted May 22, 2016 I'm left handed and left master eye but it doesn't matter to me whether I shoot left or right and I don't mis a great deal with either hand. The only thing I do have to do is to close my left eye If I am on the right hand side. I think a lot of it is in the mind because I don't think about If the gun is a sbs, ou, auto, sb single or double trigger. I know that the gun should be fitted to the hand but I know lots of people who shoot well with something that doesn't fit them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFC Posted May 23, 2016 Report Share Posted May 23, 2016 I'm right-handed and was right eyed but lost full use of my right eye so I taught myself to shoot left-handed. It did become natural and I just needed to close my right eye. Eventually I recovered enough vision in my right eye, and coincidentally suffered a rotator cuff injury to my left shoulder, so over the past couple of years I've returned to right hand. I still have to use a rifle left-handed though. The brain can relearn many things and, although there is in theory the 'right' way to do things, it is a case of doing what works for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted May 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2016 Thanks all, Looks hopeful then! Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny thomas Posted May 23, 2016 Report Share Posted May 23, 2016 I'm genuinely ambedexterous shoot left handed with a right handed semi(eye dominance ) with clays going away from right to left i will take them right handed its just a matter of muscle memory the more you shoot the quicker you'll get it eye dominance is a different matter it depends i suppose on how dominant your stronger eye is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted May 23, 2016 Report Share Posted May 23, 2016 Good luck, hope it works out....seeing the title I thought this was about the EU referendum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Posted May 23, 2016 Report Share Posted May 23, 2016 How much has the frozen shoulder limited movement? I ask because I shoot left handed and had a "worn out" right shoulder which has now had a replacement. Before the replacement I had difficulty with high targets because I couldn't lift my right arm high enough to lift the barrels. Sorry if I'm confusing the issue, give it a try left handed and seeh ow you get on. A left handed gun with a good cast-on might help with the eye dominance if you can borrow one. I had my shoulder resurfaced on the "ball" half rather than a complete replacement. One night in hospital and I was driving again in a couple of weeks. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted May 23, 2016 Report Share Posted May 23, 2016 I've spent the last 10 years visiting various physios, osteopaths etc who were all convinced they could cure my duff shoulder without success. Finally had an MRI and it turns out my shoulder joint looks like a relief map of the Himalayas, and it's ******** with arthritis. Annoying as all the physio probably did more harm than good, but we are where we are. Can still shoot off my right shoulder currently with a cortozone injection numbing it, but I'm pretty sure my pike fly days are behind me and even my normal light lure fishing can be pretty uncomfortable. Being a plumber I've started refusing some jobs, like replacing bath taps, as they're just too uncomfortable, so more boiler repairing and lighter work looks like my future. We'll see how that goes. You have my sympathies and I hope you can find some relief for your shoulder and a way of making a living despite your problems, not to mention carrying on shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted May 23, 2016 Report Share Posted May 23, 2016 Mike, Wthout stating the obvious, have you tried the 20 bore or auto Road ? I too have had exactly the same issues as yourself (strangely enough, I was a plumber too) but I am reluctant to have any further surgery, as you know it is a long recovery. I had my last op. in September 2015 and restarted shooting in January this year to enable me to go on an annual game day. I began with the Grandkids 28 bore and 18 gram loads, then moved onto 21 grams in my 20 bore, only shooting 25 at any time. I then took the 20 bore with some 25 gram loads in mid January. By the February roost shoot I was on my 12 bore Beretta 391 and 28 grams. I found that the recoil was not the issue, but the guns weight was. By mid March I was doing 50 birders, using my Beretta 303, which weighs 7 1/4 lbs. and 28 grams. I shot a 100 birder at the end of March and apart from a bit of an aching neck and shoulder the next day, I feel due to carrying a range bag with water, 100+ cartridges and some other bits and bobs, more than the recoil. I found the lighter gun caused less stress than my usual 8 1/4lbs Miroku and I was pleased with a 75/100 score, considering it had been nearly 12 months since I had last shot. I do know of someone who, after right eye injury, switched to left shoulder and is now shooting just as well. I feel that at 70, I may just find it too hard to switch. I now have a bigger problem though, I have lost the sight in my left eye, which could take up to 9 months to return, so shooting from the left may not be an option. If you have not tried the above route, it is worth a go. Good luck and keep hanging in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted May 24, 2016 Report Share Posted May 24, 2016 If you keep at it it soon feels natural. I can shoot rifles left handed and shotgun so long as I premount the gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted May 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2016 How much has the frozen shoulder limited movement? I ask because I shoot left handed and had a "worn out" right shoulder which has now had a replacement. Before the replacement I had difficulty with high targets because I couldn't lift my right arm high enough to lift the barrels. Sorry if I'm confusing the issue, give it a try left handed and seeh ow you get on. A left handed gun with a good cast-on might help with the eye dominance if you can borrow one. I had my shoulder resurfaced on the "ball" half rather than a complete replacement. One night in hospital and I was driving again in a couple of weeks. Good luck Can't lift my arm above shoulder height, or reach behind me even as far as my back pocket. They didn't mention just having the ball half replaced, he showed me the CT scan pics, and despite having had it cleared out about 12 months ago, it looks like a lunar landscape. He said it would be up to 6 months before I had full strength and mobility back... Cheers, Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted May 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2016 Mike, Wthout stating the obvious, have you tried the 20 bore or auto Road ? I too have had exactly the same issues as yourself (strangely enough, I was a plumber too) but I am reluctant to have any further surgery, as you know it is a long recovery. I had my last op. in September 2015 and restarted shooting in January this year to enable me to go on an annual game day. I began with the Grandkids 28 bore and 18 gram loads, then moved onto 21 grams in my 20 bore, only shooting 25 at any time. I then took the 20 bore with some 25 gram loads in mid January. By the February roost shoot I was on my 12 bore Beretta 391 and 28 grams. I found that the recoil was not the issue, but the guns weight was. By mid March I was doing 50 birders, using my Beretta 303, which weighs 7 1/4 lbs. and 28 grams. I shot a 100 birder at the end of March and apart from a bit of an aching neck and shoulder the next day, I feel due to carrying a range bag with water, 100+ cartridges and some other bits and bobs, more than the recoil. I found the lighter gun caused less stress than my usual 8 1/4lbs Miroku and I was pleased with a 75/100 score, considering it had been nearly 12 months since I had last shot. I do know of someone who, after right eye injury, switched to left shoulder and is now shooting just as well. I feel that at 70, I may just find it too hard to switch. I now have a bigger problem though, I have lost the sight in my left eye, which could take up to 9 months to return, so shooting from the left may not be an option. If you have not tried the above route, it is worth a go. Good luck and keep hanging in there. I have a 12 guage semi-auto, the kick isn't too bad from it, but that combined with lifting my arm with the gun butt in my shoulder is the painful bit. I was wondering about swapping to left handed, then my right forearm can do most of the movement, and my left shoulder absorb the kick? I hope your eye problem resolves, that's a real pain! I will give it a go. Thanks, Mike. If you keep at it it soon feels natural. I can shoot rifles left handed and shotgun so long as I premount the gun. I'll try that! Thanks everybody! Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 My mate had to switch after suffering a detached retina but he struggled, don't want to put you off but he never really cracked it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted May 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 I'll give it a go this weekend, and report back! Cheers all, Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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