Baldrick Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Do any of you that are unfortunate enough to shoot left-handed, also own l/h semi-automatics? I want to buy myself a semi-auto for pigeon shooting, and as a southpaw my choice seems to be limited to Webley, Benelli, and Remington. My local gunsmith in Boreham tells me that Beretta and Browning/Winchester don't cater for left-handers. He tried to flog me a pretty ropey Webley semi-auto, which I declined. Guntrader doesn't offer up much hope for second-hand l/h semi-autos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08shooter Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 i believe fabarm cater for the left handers it gets good reports too,i think you were right to decline the webley the one i held was cheap and nasty. check out the h368 eurolion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the last engineer Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Do any of you that are unfortunate enough to shoot left-handed, also own l/h semi-automatics? I want to buy myself a semi-auto for pigeon shooting, and as a southpaw my choice seems to be limited to Webley, Benelli, and Remington. My local gunsmith in Boreham tells me that Beretta and Browning/Winchester don't cater for left-handers. He tried to flog me a pretty ropey Webley semi-auto, which I declined. Guntrader doesn't offer up much hope for second-hand l/h semi-autos. Baldrick, you disapoint me, as another obviously gifted person, who also has the nobility to be blessed as a left hander you should rise to the occasion. whats wrong with a "normal" ( as tighty righty's call them) semi auto , i have something like 5 auto's all R/H i have yet to be hit in the noggin, or find it uncomfortable to shoot them. gat a gun and shoot it, you dont need to get reamed out for the extra a lefty will cost you, any of the new autos can be shimmed to suit, mine are all good Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted July 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 TLE, it's surprising to hear that you've never copped a flying cartridge in the noggin by a 'normal' semi. I know the fitting of the gun is relatively easy to do with the shims. In a moment of negligence when using a 'normal' semi-auto Beretta a few years ago, I got a faceful of burning powder and debris from the ejection port. Not a pleasant experience. And yes, I should have kept my safety glasses on. I've always assumed since a left-handed semi was the way to go, when I got round to buying one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunk Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 I can shoot my Franchi left handed with no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the last engineer Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 TLE, it's surprising to hear that you've never copped a flying cartridge in the noggin by a 'normal' semi. I know the fitting of the gun is relatively easy to do with the shims. In a moment of negligence when using a 'normal' semi-auto Beretta a few years ago, I got a faceful of burning powder and debris from the ejection port. Not a pleasant experience. And yes, I should have kept my safety glasses on. I've always assumed since a left-handed semi was the way to go, when I got round to buying one. cat see why its a suprise realy, and i dont mean it in a facetious manner, i have shot in the region of 75k plus through my semis, i can honestly say i have not been hit in the face or burnt, yes i do wear glasses all the time when shooting, no i dont send 2oz of high velocity spine jarring lead down the spout, yes i run anything from 5/6/7.5/8's down there pending target or game, i can honsetly say i dont even notice the case flying by, maybe im lucky. have you shot many autos ?? which ones, what were the results, did one work better than the others ?? other than the burning powder incident what do you not like about them, just a few questions id like to hear the answer's too. from my point of veiw, i bought a right hander to start with to proove rightys wrong, stubburn SOB i know, my inventory grew because i had fun with them, someone would say have you tried the new,,,,,,,,, and off i went to get one, lucky me right,,,yes very, but also tried and tested me too, i like to back up comments with facts, looking for the new Benneli auto now, cryo barrel and recoil reduction system, had one the weekend but didnt get to shoot it yet,,,,,,, give it aweek or two. Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeboy Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 I have a left handed Benelli Montefeltro 12 bore semi auto. Fantastic gun ! I use it for pigeon and crows mainly but to be honest I now use it pretty much for everything. It handles well and points just right. Cycles everytime. Its light, nicely balanced and is very sweet shooting. Soft recoil, alot softer than my Silver pigeon 3 sporter. Enertia operated so strip down and clean is a matter of minutes. Mine has had nearly 1000 rounds through it since the last cleaning and still going strong. I couldn't recommend it highly enough ! Also worth thinking about is the Benelli M2, another excellent gun. I think there is at least one member of the forum who shoots one, Throdgrain I think. Also available left handed. Leeboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted July 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 Martin, I've shot almost every Beretta semi-auto available, several Benellis, and I was brought up on a diet of Remington 1100s and 11-87s. All of them right-handed. I liked using every single one of them, and shopt well with them all, until I started fussing. I merely wondered whether other left-handers had paid more/waited longer to get a dedicated l/h semi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the last engineer Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 Martin, I've shot almost every Beretta semi-auto available, several Benellis, and I was brought up on a diet of Remington 1100s and 11-87s. All of them right-handed. I liked using every single one of them, and shopt well with them all, until I started fussing. I merely wondered whether other left-handers had paid more/waited longer to get a dedicated l/h semi. point taken, my own experience with a left handed auto was a disaster, i couldnt figure out how to load it, sounds stupid but its true, when i shoot my autos my left hand stays locked in the stock & trigger (finger alongside of cource), i feed with my right hand and return to the forend to shoot, many of the guys i see R/H take there hands fully away from the trigger and hold it across the action with the left hand and feed it with the right hand, seems awkward to me, weird leftys strike again, i'll stick with what i have for now. Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight32 Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 I am a left hander, and that is the reason I went for the Benelli in left hand. I always shot right hand auto's for years but found for some reason I was starting to get a lot of debris in my face with certain cartridges and ended up at the hospital on one occasion to have a piece of powder residue removed from my eye. The Benelli is great shotgun but is a lot more money compared to the Webley- And don't forget the webley wildfowler is a remodel of the escort semi! I was put off the webley because of reliability problems, but it is in my opinion like the escort a good value for money gun. Regards starlight32 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted July 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 I think it's probably worth me sniffing around and finding a left-handed semi. I'd always had my eyes on a Benelli Super Black Eagle, but they are rarer than rocking-horse manure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the last engineer Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 just for you Baldrick Martin could have sworn i added a picture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted July 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 Now that is a thing of beauty, Martin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floating Chamber Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 There are quite a few L H Remington 1100s lying around. Put an add in GunMart. Joe in Gunshop east Barnett has a L H Benelli Mancino £600 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeboy Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 I think it's probably worth me sniffing around and finding a left-handed semi. I'd always had my eyes on a Benelli Super Black Eagle, but they are rarer than rocking-horse manure. I think GMK are importing them now so they should be easier to get hold of. John Forsey Guns advertise in most of the shooting mags are well worth talking to. They specialise in wild fowling and semi autos. They stock a huge range of s/a guns including the SBE2 and a lot of other Benelli guns. The SBE2, M2, Montefeltro and Mancino are all available left hand and I think there may be a couple more in the line up. I paid £770 for my Monte a year or so ago. I've put about 2200 shells through it with one Failure To Fire. A good strike on the cap but the cart didn't fire. Leeboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSA Shaun Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 I am a lefty but I shoot right handed, play golf right handed and snooker right handed!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted July 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 The trouble is that I'm right-handed in everything apart from shooting. I'm effectively left-eyed - really irritating, particularly when the Army makes all its soldiers use the right-handed SA80 weapon. As Martin said above, it may take me a while to adapt to using a true left-handed semi-auto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSA Shaun Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 The trouble is that I'm right-handed in everything apart from shooting. I'm effectively left-eyed - really irritating, particularly when the Army makes all its soldiers use the right-handed SA80 weapon. As Martin said above, it may take me a while to adapt to using a true left-handed semi-auto. Just a thought, isn't the ejection port a problem? The carts will be ejecting across your face? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted July 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 Yes, the ejection port on an SA80 would be next to your face if you shot it left-handed. So would the large bolt carrier handle, plus a lot of other menacing bits of angular metal. Which is why everyone has to shoot the SA80 right-handed. The French use the FAMAS rifle, which can be quickly modified to suit a left-hander. The defence procurement cretins in shiny suits at the MOD only cater for the right-handed master race though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodmedod.one Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 The trouble is that I'm right-handed in everything apart from shooting. I'm effectively left-eyed - really irritating, particularly when the Army makes all its soldiers use the right-handed SA80 weapon. As Martin said above, it may take me a while to adapt to using a true left-handed semi-auto. Just a thought, isn't the ejection port a problem? The carts will be ejecting across your face? I think that is exactly what Baldrick finds irritating. I would recommend that all semi-auto users wear safety glasses. I shoot off my right shoulder and have had a face full of powder several times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mry716 Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 The Escort is now available in left hand if you want a 'cheapie' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted July 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 FloatingChamber, it was good to talk to you earlier. I've gone with your (and Martin + Leeboy's) Benelli vote, I've ordered a new Benelli M2 Field from Jason at Trulock, in all-black synthetic with a 26" barrel. I have to wait a month to get my paws on it, but I am assured that it will be worth the wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeboy Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 I think you will be well pleased with it. I'm saving/craving for one at the moment. Me thinks its going to be a long month for you ! Leeboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floating Chamber Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 Well done Baldrick! The Benelli (Williams' Patent!) Mancino is a handsome beast - but the ejection port is on the wrong side for 'northpaws'! lol Yes, Jason at Trulock, very good guy! He's read my article, too! Does anyone on here know how I can import Win. Model 50's from the States? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amg_1969 Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 The trouble is that I'm right-handed in everything apart from shooting. I'm effectively left-eyed - really irritating, particularly when the Army makes all its soldiers use the right-handed SA80 weapon. As Martin said above, it may take me a while to adapt to using a true left-handed semi-auto. I am the same everything I do is right handed apart from shooting, I bought a l/h webley 810 and it has improved my shooting no end, i have 2 r/h o/u at home and I find the l/h gun so much better. I have had no reliability problems with it so far (touch the lovely wood on its body) Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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