Did Lee Harvey Oswald Shoot Left-Handed?

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fiddleharp

fiddleharp

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Today, I found a post on Shotgunworld's Left-Handed Shooter's board saying that Lee Harvey Oswald shot left-handed.
I googled all over the place, looking for a second opinion, but found nothing on the subject.
Has anybody ever heard this before?
 
Some have said he made the shots left handed....they feel that's the only plausible explanation he got the shots off that fast and that accurately in the allotted time frame.

It's been said a left handed shooter can operate a (RH) bolt faster than a right handed person. Lefty has no reason to remove their trigger finger in order to cycle a right handed bolt. Little need to lift cheek off the stock when you can keep the right hand on the bolt at all times, helps keep a continuous sight picture.
 
Hmmm... A lefty can operate a RH bolt gun faster than a righty?
Better not let that secret get out, because it might create a stampede among righties trying to snap up the miniscule number of left-handed bolt rifles on the market these days.
Hey, maybe us lefties are unaware of a goldmine of opportunity here. After all, there are zillions of right-handed bolt rifles out there to choose from.
Doh! All these decades I've been thinking I needed a left-handed rifle! Doh! :banghead:
 
As I understand it (from articles by Mas Ayoob among others) Oswald was right-handed, but had a left master eye and shot from the left shoulder. Reports from neighbors said he often sat on his front porch, rested his rifle on the hand rail and practiced. He kept his right hand on the bolt, so he could cycle the action fast.

Some have said that the first shot hit a branch on the tree between his window and the President's car. No way to know for sure.

I believe Oswald acted alone, with backing from the Knights Templar in order to punish Kennedy for refusing to obey orders from the Pope.
 
As a lefty myself, I have to disagree. It depends on the gun and the shooter. Generally, no. Most rifles are too front heavy or have a too short length of pull to quickly work the bolt with the right hand if you're shooting it lefty. Most lefties will reach over and operate the bolt with their left hand. The one rifle I've found where being left-handed has an apparent advantage is the AK. I do seem to be able to operate its bolt and safety better than right-handed people.
 
Most rifles are too front heavy or have a too short length of pull to quickly work the bolt with the right hand if you're shooting it lefty.
Click to expand...

Oswald had a window sill for a rest. There was no need for him to hold the forearm with his right hand. He could leave his hand on the bolt.

I remember reading a study done about this. It took many marksmen, put them in a mock-up of Dallas, and had them try to get the shots off in time, with same (or better) accuracy. Out of something like 50 shooters, 3 were able to do it. All three shot left handed. All three rested the forearm on the window sill. All three worked the bolt with their right hand.

This same study, also stated that LHO shot left handed.

And yes, I've been looking for a used left-handed rifle, to my liking, for quite some time.

I'm a lefty. I guess I'll have to go get a Carcano now to find out. Hmmmm............
Click to expand...

I got one I'll trade you even for if you have a Rem 700 short action that's a lefty.:evil:

Wyman
 
For those with a bolt action, try cycling the rifle with both left and right hands (with gun on a rest). Follow up is faster if you do it left handed. JWF III is correct...

JWF III said:
...Oswald had a window sill for a rest. There was no need for him to hold the forearm with his right hand. He could leave his hand on the bolt.

I remember reading a study done about this. It took many marksmen, put them in a mock-up of Dallas, and had them try to get the shots off in time, with same (or better) accuracy. Out of something like 50 shooters, 3 were able to do it. All three shot left handed. All three rested the forearm on the window sill. All three worked the bolt with their right hand.
Click to expand...


Sunray said:
...Templars were disbanded in 1312.
Click to expand...

Legend has it they were the keepers of the Holy Grail which offered eternal life to those who drank from it. No need to recruit new members when the existing ones can do the job for centuries.
 
There is a two hour special from the History Channel on the JFK assasination, I recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it. The last 30-45 minutes or so go through an excellent point-by-point rebuttal of the conspiracy theories (with particular emphasis on ripping the "magic bullet" argument in Oliver Stone's "JFK" to shreds). They go through a timeline, and basically conclude that an experienced shooter could easily have pulled it off alone. They also pulled LHO's marksmanship cards from his USMC service, which indicate he was a fairly good shot.
 
I am right handed, but left eye dominant, and have been shooting right handed bolt rifles all my life,..and yes,..from a resting shot, I have alweays been able to run a right handed bolt faster than my shooting buddies and relatives could righ handed. My left hand never leaves the shooting position, though with a long action,...like a 30.06,..I may heave to move my head from position. Short actions not near as much. With a .22 bolt,..I can put AIMED fire down range pdq doing so. Try it,.......And oh btw,...as somebody mentioned,...I have never reached over the rifle to throw the bolt with miy left hand,..even shooting off hand.
 
They also pulled LHO's marksmanship cards from his USMC service, which indicate he was a fairly good shot.
Click to expand...

I've read this several places, and my understanding is that he qualified "Marksman". Which by USMC definition is the worst you can be and still be a Marine. IOW- lowest qualification rank possible. I could be wrong on what he qualified. But as I said, I've read it several places. But I know at that time "Marksman" was the lowest you could go. This straight from my father and his late 50s USMC books and manuals.

Wyman
 
I now shoot from a benchrest or bipod left handed now because of this. But walking in the field/ competition practice, I am right handed (being ambidextrous really helps).

It is faster to work the bolt on a right handed BA when doing it left handed.
 
So What? LHO would shoot the lights out of almost every member of this board.
He killed JFK, acting ALONE.
Click to expand...

Never said anything to the contrary. I was just pointing out, that by USMC standards, he barely got by. So, if you look at the other post I qouted, it said "...fairly good shot." By all accounts, that is probably a very good statement. He was not a great shot. He was not "Expert". He was fairly good, meaning good enough to get by.

Wyman
 
FWIW My Dad went through Basic at Ft. Leonard Wood in the early 60's and had to shoot left because his trigger finger is partially missing thanks to a childhood accident. He shot Expert and barely missed the range record (I have no documentation on the range record part it may just be the old man BSing) but I have seen proof of the Expert part. So I would imagine the Marines would have allowed a lefty as well.

I've never tried it with a Carcano but I've proven to friends that the Rounds could be fired accurately in the given time with a bolt action. For full disclosure I used an Enfield then A K98 and finally a Mosin Nagant. I will try the same drill again if I ever get my hands on a decent Carcano.

There is no doubt in my mind that Oswald was the shooter whether or not he had training from the Russkies or Cubans who knows?

As for the Templars and Pope stuff ROFLMAO some body needs to stop watching the DaVinci code.
 
Sort of off topic, but does anyone have any idea what .38 spec. load ended up killing Oswald?

Can we basically assume it was LRN or does someone know otherwise?
 
i don't know if he was shooting left handed.

i do know FOR A FACT he was not the SINGLE GUMAN...........

he was MARRIED
 
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