Left Handed Gun for my wife

CMichael · November 19, 2001, 09:54 AM

Hi All,

I had so much fun at the range Saturday my wife wants a shotgun for her birthday.

It needs to be light. The problem though is that she is left handed. I am having trouble finding a left handed gun.

I want to get a 410 perhaps a 20 gauge.

Browning has a shotgun where the ejection is from the bottom but it's too expensive.

I don't want to spend more than $250.

My wife told me it doesn't matter what the gauge is as long as it's pretty.

Any ideas??

Thanks,
Michael

Clemson · November 19, 2001, 10:53 AM

Michael, you are going to have a hard time finding a suitable gun for your wife for $250. I would expect that you are looking at either an automatic or an over/under in 20 gauge for a new shooter. You don't say what size person your wife is, so whether you need a short stock, etc. is unknown. I might suggest that, instead of a shotgun as a gift, you give your wife a "set" of shooting lessons at your local sporting clays or skeet range. Whoever the Pro is who gives these lessons can help her choose a suitable gun. These facilities typically have guns that are available for rent, and your wife could try out several different models while learning to shoot. If she comes up with a favorite, you can start stashing cash now for the next suitable occasion while keeping your eyes open for a used model of the same gun. If Mama is interested in "pretty," she won't like the inexpensive pump guns, and they are about the only new firearms that meet your budget restrictions.

jason10mm · November 19, 2001, 11:56 AM

I'd recommend a mossberg for lefties. The safety is on the top, so it can be actuated with the thumb. Much less confusing than those trigger housing push buttons. If she is small, try a youth model (shorter stock). I think mossberg has some sort of home defense .410 model that was specifically targeted at women shooters, but I'm not sure its very "pretty", or what purpose your wife wants to use it for. Those short barrelled HD guns might not be the best for clays and such. LAter.

Brian Williams · November 19, 2001, 12:06 PM

Look at Ithaca mod 37 lightweight in 20 ga. You might be able to find a used one for your asking price... nice lightweight with bottom ejection...

CMichael · November 19, 2001, 01:23 PM

Thanks for the input.

Mossberg doesn't make a gun for lefties. I called and asked them.

The purpose of it is so we can go trap shooting together.

What do you think of a one shot?

Michael

CMichael · November 19, 2001, 01:24 PM

Also, where does one purchase used guns?

ATTICUS · November 19, 2001, 03:37 PM

"Also, where does one purchase used guns?"

A gunshow would probably be your best bet, but many gun shops, and even pawn shops, might have some used ones. Remington does make new LH 12 gauge Express models, but not in a 20.

I second the Perfessrs recommendation on the Ithaca, look for a model 37 in 20 gauge, and have the safety converted to a lefty. You could do the same with a Remington 870 also, if she doesn't mind right hand side ejection. I'm a lefty and have never had a problem with right handed ejection - only right handed safeties, but... the bottom ejection of the Ithaca is a nice bonus.

Dave McC · November 19, 2001, 04:22 PM

The Ithaca is a nice piece, and the 20 ga LH 1100 LW is a good starter gun for southpaw women, but...

25 years of marriage tell me the advice about getting her some lessons is the best approach. And, be somewhere else while they're given. Call it masculine intuition. After a few lessons, bite the bullet and get her exactly what she wants. Trust me on this(G)...

OkieCruffler · November 20, 2001, 12:12 AM

I went thru the exact same thing about a year ago, and after much looking, lucked onto a Browning BPS that was in beautiful shape, except that someone had cut the stock off with a hacksaw. Haggled down to $225, put 2 inches of recoil pad on it, and just last week she got her first double with it. Problem now is that I have to reload her shells too. There are deals out there, it just takes some time and patience to find them.

CMichael · November 20, 2001, 09:02 AM

If someone is left handed does it make a difference if that person has a right handed gun?

Coronach · November 20, 2001, 11:17 AM

Yes and no. Side-ejecting guns can spit the hulls at your face, which can be disconcerting...but I've worked my 870 left-handed and nothing hit me. Plus the trigger guard safety is backwards...but I think you can reverse that.

Bottom ejecting guns liek the Ithaca and the Browning are ambidextrous. That way she can use it and you can, too.

If it was me, I'd take her shopping and look at used Ithacas and Brownings. But get the gun SHE wants, not the one you want her to want.

Mike

CWL · November 20, 2001, 11:53 AM

How about a used double barrel or an O/U shotgun? You didn't specify a "repeater", it just has to look pretty.

Some cheap imports can be had which are decent.

Try Shotgun News, or www.cdnninvestments.com

CMichael · November 20, 2001, 02:59 PM

I"m having trouble finding left handed guns. The browning is too expensive for me.

I may get here a right handed pump 410 I saw at Dick's. There is there one that she liked. I think it was a Remington.

OkieCruffler · November 20, 2001, 03:52 PM

Just my 2cents, but I would look for a 20 instead of the .410. I love my .410 dearly, but it's a royal PIA to hit anything with. My wife was trying to use it because the recoil was so much easier to deal with, but after 3 times out and not hitting a single clay, she got really frustrated. She now refers to it as "that damned pea shooter" and I'm not even allowed to bring it along if she's with me. Boy, does she hold a grudge.

CMichael · November 20, 2001, 04:15 PM

Hummm...thanks Okie.

jumpcut · November 21, 2001, 01:39 AM

I thought I would have problems using a right handed shotgun, i was wrong. I have an 870 express. the shells eject right over my right arm and never enters my vision. the safety was not a big deal either. I think it would be weird to shoot a left handed shotgun now!!!!

November 21, 2001, 03:07 AM

If ejection is a problem, I would get her a nice single shot, O/U, or SxS.

Clemson · November 21, 2001, 08:58 AM

Back to your original purpose: "So we can go trapshooting together." I don't think you will be happy with less than a 20 gauge. I have a .410 Remington pump, and I really have fun with it, but it is a 25 yard gun at MAX. You will need 40 yard capability to do much of anything with a trap gun. In terms of left handed vs right handed: I have seen Ithaca pump 20 gauge guns go used for $300, but they are not all that easy to find. The Ithaca is a great design, by the way. For trapshooting, I would be tempted to look at the Brownings in a used gun. They are a good bit heavier than the Ithaca, and that makes for less recoil. Insofar as used guns, check the auction sites like gunbroker.com and auctionarms.com. Another good place for used guns is gunsamerica.com. Gunbroker has both the Ithaca and Browning guns available. Finally, be patient. A suitable gun will show up in time, and you don't want to sour your sweetie on shooting with a really ugly gun!

CMichael · November 21, 2001, 09:09 AM

I appreciate all the input. Thank you.

What about a 410 with a modified choke?

Michael

Coronach · November 21, 2001, 09:39 AM

With the .410 its the amount of stuff coming out of the barrel (or rather, the lack of it) thats the problem. Different chokes might help a little, but when you get down to it, you're still shooting a .410

Mike

Clemson · November 21, 2001, 10:28 AM

Michael, my .410 HAS a modified choke. It's still a 25 yard gun.

CMichael · November 21, 2001, 08:00 PM

Well I ended up getting a 20 gauge Mossberg 500 with a 28" barrel. My wife was thrilled. She is a little nervous if she can handle it though.

I appreciate all your opinions more than I can say.

Thanks,
Michael

CMichael · November 22, 2001, 02:56 PM

Now that I armed my wife with her own shotgun I have a safety concern.

If there is a intruder and I go looking for him with my shotgun, my wife will prepare hers in case she needs it.

I have this fear that she may panic and shoot me by accident...

That would be bad.

Michael

Coronach · November 22, 2001, 10:36 PM

A valid concern. If she's going to be armed and consider responding to a threat, she needs to have a means of NOT violating rule #4. That would be, at the very least, a light that would illuminate her target...either hand held (not ideal with a shotgun), weapon mounted (possible but expensive) or positioned in the bedroom (like a lamp that would illuminate the doorway clearly).

You NEVER shoot unless you know what you're target is. Period.

You would also need to go through a few scenarios with her if she's going to be a participant in any 'home defense plan' and make sure that she is confident and capable with what she is using and what she is doing. This doesn't happen overnight, but skimping in this area can be deadly. Don't think that just because you have the toys that you can play the game. Practice practice practice!

Mike

November 19, 2001, 09:54 AM	#1
CMichael Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2001 Location: MI Posts: 1,516	Left Handed Gun for my wife Hi All, I had so much fun at the range Saturday my wife wants a shotgun for her birthday. It needs to be light. The problem though is that she is left handed. I am having trouble finding a left handed gun. I want to get a 410 perhaps a 20 gauge. Browning has a shotgun where the ejection is from the bottom but it's too expensive. I don't want to spend more than $250. My wife told me it doesn't matter what the gauge is as long as it's pretty. Any ideas?? Thanks, Michael

November 19, 2001, 10:53 AM	#2
Clemson Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2001 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 875	Michael, you are going to have a hard time finding a suitable gun for your wife for $250. I would expect that you are looking at either an automatic or an over/under in 20 gauge for a new shooter. You don't say what size person your wife is, so whether you need a short stock, etc. is unknown. I might suggest that, instead of a shotgun as a gift, you give your wife a "set" of shooting lessons at your local sporting clays or skeet range. Whoever the Pro is who gives these lessons can help her choose a suitable gun. These facilities typically have guns that are available for rent, and your wife could try out several different models while learning to shoot. If she comes up with a favorite, you can start stashing cash now for the next suitable occasion while keeping your eyes open for a used model of the same gun. If Mama is interested in "pretty," she won't like the inexpensive pump guns, and they are about the only new firearms that meet your budget restrictions. __________________ NRA Endowment Member, NRA Certified Instructor CWP Holder US Army veteran Gunsmith www.boltandbarrel.com

November 19, 2001, 03:37 PM	#7
ATTICUS Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 2,100	"Also, where does one purchase used guns?" A gunshow would probably be your best bet, but many gun shops, and even pawn shops, might have some used ones. Remington does make new LH 12 gauge Express models, but not in a 20. I second the Perfessrs recommendation on the Ithaca, look for a model 37 in 20 gauge, and have the safety converted to a lefty. You could do the same with a Remington 870 also, if she doesn't mind right hand side ejection. I'm a lefty and have never had a problem with right handed ejection - only right handed safeties, but... the bottom ejection of the Ithaca is a nice bonus. __________________ Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. Mark Twain

November 20, 2001, 12:12 AM	#9
OkieCruffler Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2001 Location: Denison Texas on the banks of Texhoma Posts: 1,556	I went thru the exact same thing about a year ago, and after much looking, lucked onto a Browning BPS that was in beautiful shape, except that someone had cut the stock off with a hacksaw. Haggled down to $225, put 2 inches of recoil pad on it, and just last week she got her first double with it. Problem now is that I have to reload her shells too. There are deals out there, it just takes some time and patience to find them. __________________ John A. Monroe, Never Forgive, Never Forget, Blood Pays Blood

November 20, 2001, 11:17 AM	#11
Coronach Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Posts: 3,147	Yes and no. Side-ejecting guns can spit the hulls at your face, which can be disconcerting...but I've worked my 870 left-handed and nothing hit me. Plus the trigger guard safety is backwards...but I think you can reverse that. Bottom ejecting guns liek the Ithaca and the Browning are ambidextrous. That way she can use it and you can, too. If it was me, I'd take her shopping and look at used Ithacas and Brownings. But get the gun SHE wants, not the one you want her to want. Mike __________________ The axe bites into the door, ripping a hole in one panel. The maniac puts his face into the hole, cackling gleefully, "Here's Johnny...erk." "And here's Smith and Wesson," murmurs Coronach, Mozambiquing six rounds of .357 into the critter at a range of three feet. -Lawdog "True pacifism is the finest form of manliness. But if a man comes up to you and cuts your hand off, you don't just offer him the other one. Not if you want to go on playing the piano, you don't." -Sam Peckinpah "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein

November 19, 2001, 11:56 AM	#3
jason10mm Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2001 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 230	I'd recommend a mossberg for lefties. The safety is on the top, so it can be actuated with the thumb. Much less confusing than those trigger housing push buttons. If she is small, try a youth model (shorter stock). I think mossberg has some sort of home defense .410 model that was specifically targeted at women shooters, but I'm not sure its very "pretty", or what purpose your wife wants to use it for. Those short barrelled HD guns might not be the best for clays and such. LAter.

November 19, 2001, 12:06 PM	#4
Brian Williams Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2001 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 1,288	Look at Ithaca mod 37 lightweight in 20 ga. You might be able to find a used one for your asking price... nice lightweight with bottom ejection...

November 19, 2001, 01:23 PM	#5
CMichael Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2001 Location: MI Posts: 1,516	Thanks for the input. Mossberg doesn't make a gun for lefties. I called and asked them. The purpose of it is so we can go trap shooting together. What do you think of a one shot? Michael

November 19, 2001, 01:24 PM	#6
CMichael Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2001 Location: MI Posts: 1,516	Also, where does one purchase used guns?

November 19, 2001, 04:22 PM	#8
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	The Ithaca is a nice piece, and the 20 ga LH 1100 LW is a good starter gun for southpaw women, but... 25 years of marriage tell me the advice about getting her some lessons is the best approach. And, be somewhere else while they're given. Call it masculine intuition. After a few lessons, bite the bullet and get her exactly what she wants. Trust me on this(G)...

November 20, 2001, 09:02 AM	#10
CMichael Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2001 Location: MI Posts: 1,516	If someone is left handed does it make a difference if that person has a right handed gun?

November 20, 2001, 11:53 AM	#12
CWL Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2001 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,576	How about a used double barrel or an O/U shotgun? You didn't specify a "repeater", it just has to look pretty. Some cheap imports can be had which are decent. Try Shotgun News, or www.cdnninvestments.com

November 20, 2001, 02:59 PM	#13
CMichael Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2001 Location: MI Posts: 1,516	I"m having trouble finding left handed guns. The browning is too expensive for me. I may get here a right handed pump 410 I saw at Dick's. There is there one that she liked. I think it was a Remington.

November 20, 2001, 03:52 PM	#14
OkieCruffler Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2001 Location: Denison Texas on the banks of Texhoma Posts: 1,556	Just my 2cents, but I would look for a 20 instead of the .410. I love my .410 dearly, but it's a royal PIA to hit anything with. My wife was trying to use it because the recoil was so much easier to deal with, but after 3 times out and not hitting a single clay, she got really frustrated. She now refers to it as "that damned pea shooter" and I'm not even allowed to bring it along if she's with me. Boy, does she hold a grudge. __________________ John A. Monroe, Never Forgive, Never Forget, Blood Pays Blood

November 20, 2001, 04:15 PM	#15
CMichael Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2001 Location: MI Posts: 1,516	Hummm...thanks Okie.

November 21, 2001, 01:39 AM	#16
jumpcut Member Join Date: August 31, 2001 Location: Maryland Posts: 32	I'm a lefty I thought I would have problems using a right handed shotgun, i was wrong. I have an 870 express. the shells eject right over my right arm and never enters my vision. the safety was not a big deal either. I think it would be weird to shoot a left handed shotgun now!!!!

November 21, 2001, 03:07 AM	#17
PreserveFreedom Guest Posts: n/a	If ejection is a problem, I would get her a nice single shot, O/U, or SxS.

November 21, 2001, 08:58 AM	#18
Clemson Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2001 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 875	Back to your original purpose: "So we can go trapshooting together." I don't think you will be happy with less than a 20 gauge. I have a .410 Remington pump, and I really have fun with it, but it is a 25 yard gun at MAX. You will need 40 yard capability to do much of anything with a trap gun. In terms of left handed vs right handed: I have seen Ithaca pump 20 gauge guns go used for $300, but they are not all that easy to find. The Ithaca is a great design, by the way. For trapshooting, I would be tempted to look at the Brownings in a used gun. They are a good bit heavier than the Ithaca, and that makes for less recoil. Insofar as used guns, check the auction sites like gunbroker.com and auctionarms.com. Another good place for used guns is gunsamerica.com. Gunbroker has both the Ithaca and Browning guns available. Finally, be patient. A suitable gun will show up in time, and you don't want to sour your sweetie on shooting with a really ugly gun! __________________ NRA Endowment Member, NRA Certified Instructor CWP Holder US Army veteran Gunsmith www.boltandbarrel.com

November 21, 2001, 09:09 AM	#19
CMichael Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2001 Location: MI Posts: 1,516	I appreciate all the input. Thank you. What about a 410 with a modified choke? Michael

November 21, 2001, 09:39 AM	#20
Coronach Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Posts: 3,147	With the .410 its the amount of stuff coming out of the barrel (or rather, the lack of it) thats the problem. Different chokes might help a little, but when you get down to it, you're still shooting a .410 Mike __________________ The axe bites into the door, ripping a hole in one panel. The maniac puts his face into the hole, cackling gleefully, "Here's Johnny...erk." "And here's Smith and Wesson," murmurs Coronach, Mozambiquing six rounds of .357 into the critter at a range of three feet. -Lawdog "True pacifism is the finest form of manliness. But if a man comes up to you and cuts your hand off, you don't just offer him the other one. Not if you want to go on playing the piano, you don't." -Sam Peckinpah "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein

November 21, 2001, 10:28 AM	#21
Clemson Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2001 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 875	Michael, my .410 HAS a modified choke. It's still a 25 yard gun. __________________ NRA Endowment Member, NRA Certified Instructor CWP Holder US Army veteran Gunsmith www.boltandbarrel.com

November 21, 2001, 08:00 PM	#22
CMichael Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2001 Location: MI Posts: 1,516	Well I ended up getting a 20 gauge Mossberg 500 with a 28" barrel. My wife was thrilled. She is a little nervous if she can handle it though. I appreciate all your opinions more than I can say. Thanks, Michael

November 22, 2001, 02:56 PM	#23
CMichael Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2001 Location: MI Posts: 1,516	Now that I armed my wife with her own shotgun I have a safety concern. If there is a intruder and I go looking for him with my shotgun, my wife will prepare hers in case she needs it. I have this fear that she may panic and shoot me by accident... That would be bad. Michael

November 22, 2001, 10:36 PM	#24
Coronach Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Posts: 3,147	A valid concern. If she's going to be armed and consider responding to a threat, she needs to have a means of NOT violating rule #4. That would be, at the very least, a light that would illuminate her target...either hand held (not ideal with a shotgun), weapon mounted (possible but expensive) or positioned in the bedroom (like a lamp that would illuminate the doorway clearly). You NEVER shoot unless you know what you're target is. Period. You would also need to go through a few scenarios with her if she's going to be a participant in any 'home defense plan' and make sure that she is confident and capable with what she is using and what she is doing. This doesn't happen overnight, but skimping in this area can be deadly. Don't think that just because you have the toys that you can play the game. Practice practice practice! Mike __________________ The axe bites into the door, ripping a hole in one panel. The maniac puts his face into the hole, cackling gleefully, "Here's Johnny...erk." "And here's Smith and Wesson," murmurs Coronach, Mozambiquing six rounds of .357 into the critter at a range of three feet. -Lawdog "True pacifism is the finest form of manliness. But if a man comes up to you and cuts your hand off, you don't just offer him the other one. Not if you want to go on playing the piano, you don't." -Sam Peckinpah "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein