What disadvantages do you think that a left handed person has shooting a right handed action? Is there any kind of safety issues that come to mind? When I am doing load development the fact that the ejection port is on the same side as my face comes to mind for me.
I wonder if a rifle with the bolt handle on the right side & the ejection port on the left side would appeal to anyone.
I am just kind of thinking out loud, what do you guys think?

Other than an AR-15, and an Encore, I shot only left hand guns. The way I see it is that the more we buy, the more they will make! I'm still waiting on this to come true.

With a 22 rimfire semi auto, a lot of crap comes out of the port, I get sprayed in the face every time, I wear glasses so I always have a layer of protection.

In 'RH guns', I have a couple of 10/22s, an 11-87, and an AR-15.

I would not own, and I rarely shoot a RH bolt-action.

Things that concern me are the bolt handle breaking my nose, having to learn how to manipulate a bolt on the wrong side of the rifle, and gas escaping the hole on the side of the rifle my face is on.

George

I have a couple of right handed rifles. If it is short action, and a good bolt, I have no issues throwing my hand over to work the bolt. Long actions give me a little bit of problems, but not much really.

I can't recall ever having a problem shooting any rh gun from bolts to shotguns with the exception of an old Mossburg 22 that I had as a kid. The shells ejected on my arm.
I could work a rh bolt about as fast as as a lh now.
Isn't it great that we have a pretty good selection now vs. the 60's and 70's

quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeS:
In 'RH guns', I have a couple of 10/22s, an 11-87, and an AR-15.

I would not own, and I rarely shoot a RH bolt-action.

Things that concern me are the bolt handle breaking my nose, having to learn how to manipulate a bolt on the wrong side of the rifle, and gas escaping the hole on the side of the rifle my face is on.

George

The gas port & the ejection port being on the same side as your face was what I had on my mind also. I have my eyes open for left hand donor for my next project. I am going to give it a try.

I have one right handed bolt gun, a Ruger M77 in 243 I bought for my kids to shoot. The only other right handed guns are semi-autos

Thought of trying the Springfield Match at Camp Perry. Borrowed a Springfield from a friend to try at a practise match. The never could get all the shots off in the rapid strings.

Garands can be a little tricky also(M1 thumb). Rumor has it the OP rods can be dangerous to lefties.

A friend has a Win 52E that is impossible to shoot(thumbhole and rollover cheek peice) lefty.

Most RH guns I can get by with, safties are often the biggest problem.

Shoot both R.H. and L.H. rifles with no problems. Still have my first bolt gun, a R.H. pre-64 Model 70 in 30-06 featherweight and wouldn't part with it for anything. I do shoot mostly L.H. rifles including (2) NULA's, a Sako, a Tikka, and others.

I don't own any RH bolt rifles and haven't shot any since I can't remember when. I've seen it done, and it looks awkward.

I like the way RH revolvers and 1911 autopistols (ambi safety, "RH" mag release) are set up, though. It seems as if they were designed to be shot and reloaded by lefties.

H. C.

lost an eye with a right handed semi. bolt was
supposed to close and turn to lock bolt didn't
lock fired next round action blew open in my face

The only problem I ever had was shooting a FN C1 with a gasmask on.

I have never been able to get used to shooting a LH rifle.I guess a lifetime of RH actions has made it unnecessary.I have found that while holding the grip in my left hand,the rifle is well balanced to work the action with the right.How often do you REALLY work the action without taking the rifle from your shoulder?Its not really comfortable,but one can reach over trhe top to worl the action left handed.As an aside,a friend of mine,after seeing "Saving Private Ryan"said that he thought of me while watching the American sniper.I was honored.But seriously,I've often wondered since the bolt action was originaly designed for wartime ordnance + that as we know,everyone in the service is right handed,Right?That just maybe the design was such that it was necessary for a right handed person to take their finger off the trigger to work the bolt.There were other considerations as well to save the soldier from himself,so why not that.As to the 1911,I've found that I can remove the slide safety with my forefinger with much more dexterity than some RH people can with their thumb.I personally don't care for the amb.safety.Digs into my side,+ as I said,using the forefinger works very well.

I continue to buy both RH & LH rifles and am comfortable shooting both. One other reason, I have (11) grandchildren that are both RH & LH and at my age, you begin to think about where they're going next!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Norman Conquest:
How often do you REALLY work the action without taking the rifle from your shoulder?...

I'f I'm not shooting off the bench, every single time.

H. C.