Left hand bolt gun for right hand shooter

[Wheelgun Dunn]

Have any of you ever read about or seen anyone who is a right handed shooter using a left handed action in a bolt gun?  I read somewhere once a long time ago some folks did this so they could cycle the bolt w/o taking their head off the stock and they could load easier from the left if single loading on the bench.  Any one?

Wheelgun

[alfsauve]

I think this is common with bolt action pistols.  I know I did it with my Franken-Crosman 2240 CO2 pistol.   I put a left handed steel receiver on it, so I can reload with out changing my grip.   I believe some of the IHMSA pistols were left handed.

I don't think I've ever seen or read about doing a rifle this way.    It seems it would actually be harder with a left handed bolt.

[MikeBjerum]

Like alfsauve said, I think bolt action handguns are set up this way for ease of cycling without passing the gun back and forth between hands.  However, with a rifle I like right hand bolt for right hand shooter.  I can keep my gun tight in my shoulder and keep my cheek weld while cycling with my right hand.  I have at different times let go with my left hand to do something, and it is impossible for me to keep everything in place with only my right hand.  I think I could even shoot without my right hand if needed if I could rig up a trigger that could be activated from the fore end.

Have you ever watched a lefty shooting a right hand bold.  The movements they need to make to cycle are both impressive and something many wish they didn't need to do.

[m25operator]

What a great question, the info I have is very interesting and I do have a right handed grip, left handed bolt pistol.

see here





If I were a sniper or counter sniper, this set up is perfect, for the reasons you mentioned, stationary position, off a bipod or solid rest. If we are going into the field with different positions, then it is not optimal at all.

Bill Davis of 2nd chance body armor had a side match at his 2nd chance bowling pin shoot, which is a large match, and one of those was recreating the Pres, Kennedy assassination, using the 6.5 Carcano, and those that won it, were left handed shooters, pushing the rifle against the window frame working the bolt with their right hand on a moving target. According to Oswalds mother, he shot rifles. lefty.

The pistol displayed was built for the masters tournament, and I have shot 3 1/2" groups of 10 shots in 90 seconds, the pistol shoots better than that, but the group don't stink.

[Big Frank]

I heard of someone shooting a left-handed bolt-action rifle right-handed but thought it was just because he got a really sweet deal on the rifle. What really looks odd if you aren't used to it is a right-hand bolt-action that loads and ejects on the left.

[Sponsor]

[Wheelgun Dunn]

Thanks for the info guys.  I would be doing this on a target rifle so no moving around in the field stuff.  Savage tactical in .223 using berger vld bullets.  I think it will work out for the better.  It may be easier.  And I did get a great deal!  $379 for what appears to be a virtually unfired rifle in great shape with a Sharp Shooter trigger already installed!  I was happy, just need to dress her out a bit with a better stock.  Savage factory model leaves a bit to be desired.  Thanks!

Wheelgun

[Malvolio2]

Just be sure the bolt clears your strong hand thumb, or you'll have to break firing grip every time with both hands.

[twyacht]

As a "lefty", I have had to adjust many things when shooting pistols and rifles. Getting ambi safeties on my 1911's is great, as well as, M+P which can easily be changed.

However, I found with bolt actions, (and rifles in general), it is easier to shoot right shoulder, and get over it. I don't know how I would shoot a true left handed rifle, to me now, it would seem awkward.

My old Mauser feels natural in its traditional right handed config. and I can cycle through the 5 rds. and reload with the strippers pretty darn smoothly.



I would love to try a left-handed rifle one day but they are hard to find on range day..

[fightingquaker13]

Just wanted to note that as a lefty, one thing has been left out here and that is eye dominance. I am both left handed and left eye dominant (Many, either through birth, or accident, are not so lucky).. As a kid, I had to shoot RH bolts as that was what was on offer. I could do ok manually, working the bolt RH, but had to contort myself to use my left eye to aim. It worked, but fast, it was not. Now, after years of shooting LH bolts, I would never go back, unless it was that or throwing a rock. Seriously, let the eyes decide. Your hands can be trained with practice, but trying to aim with your weak eye will always be a struggle. Its why I shoot pistols instinctively. I shoot them right handed because of the safety and mag release on the left side. I treat them as small shotguns; both eyes open, point, squeeze, repeat. This works well with practice. It gives good enough performance for someone like me, who uses them as purely defensive, not target or hunting weapons. (By good enough, I mean 4" at 25 yds with my Glock). I might have an advantage because I bust lots and lots of clays and doves with side by sides, but it works for me. In fact I wasn't aware pistols had sights until a friend explainded that that was what those unsightly lumps on the barrel were. Who'd a'thunk it?
fightingquaker13
PS WILL SOMEONE PLEASE SHOOT THAT JACKASS WHO IS HAVING A LETS RECREATE THE KENNEDY ASSASINATION COMPETITION?  Not only is that in obscenely poor taste, (911 anyone)? Its not like gunowners don't have enough to
wory about without a headline like "Gun Industry Leader Glorifying Presidential Assasinations !!". Not only isn't it funny, its just like...well, I really can't think of an anaolgy as to how suicidal that is in these days and with this president. Obama assasination threats however oblique or unitentional are not funny. Step away from the crack pipe Mr. Davis.

[Overload]

Another thing that has been left out is sling use.

  If you're in a position where the sling is wrapped around your off arm for stability, it's not in position to reach back and work the bolt.  As a lefty I was reminded of this using an Ishapore a few days ago.  In the picture of the Mauser above, there's no sling shown, or even any sling mounts, so it doesn't matter.
It all depends on how you're going to shoot.