My left handed 11 year old son is about to get his first rifle .Question is should I get him a left handed rifle or a right handed. The reason for the right handed is so he can shot my rifles in the future. You see alot of lefties shooting very smoothly with right handed rifles. What do you lefties think?
Left hand shooter question
- Thread starter culito
- Start date
- Status
zfk55
Member
Well, if it was a Swiss k31 he wouldn't have a problem at all. 
Other than that, you probably should try him right handed, but if he resists, don't force him. Let him tell you.
Other than that, you probably should try him right handed, but if he resists, don't force him. Let him tell you.
Dreamcast270mhz
Member
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2010
- Messages
- 406
Let him decide for his first rifle, after all, it is him who will be using it. As for using your right handed guns, just teach him how a lefty should hold the particular rifle, in semis this is mostly governed by the proximity of ejection port to face, he may have to fire from the right shoulder on some guns and be able to fire on the left on others. Some rifles have lefty kits available, you should look into them.
steven58
Member
I am left handed and also left eye dominant.
While I have learned to fire left handed and right handed bolt action rifles from their respective sides, I am most comfortable shooting left handed rifles from the left side.
My advice is get a Marlin or Savage .22 rimfire bolt action in left hand action and let your son try it along side a right hand .22 bolt (which hopefully you already have). Train him on both and he will be able to use both. He will then tell you which one he prefers for his own personal arms.
Both of my children are right handed. So, they have their own RH bolt actions in rimfire and centerfire. However, they can shoot mine as well whenever they wish to.
While I have learned to fire left handed and right handed bolt action rifles from their respective sides, I am most comfortable shooting left handed rifles from the left side.
My advice is get a Marlin or Savage .22 rimfire bolt action in left hand action and let your son try it along side a right hand .22 bolt (which hopefully you already have). Train him on both and he will be able to use both. He will then tell you which one he prefers for his own personal arms.
Both of my children are right handed. So, they have their own RH bolt actions in rimfire and centerfire. However, they can shoot mine as well whenever they wish to.
you should train him to shoot based on his eye dominance not hand preference
beyond that, whether you get a right or left handed gun depends largely on the make/model as some are very ergonomic for either and others are just barely usable as intended, much less with the other hand.
beyond that, whether you get a right or left handed gun depends largely on the make/model as some are very ergonomic for either and others are just barely usable as intended, much less with the other hand.
Andrew Wyatt
Member
there's a special place in hell for parents who make their kids shoot right handed.
1KPerDay
Member
Autos work fine for lefties. If you want him to start on a bolt gun, get him a lefty version.
My dad was smart enough to have me shoot long guns lefty, though I'm right handed. I'm strongly left eye dominant. I shoot handguns righty but use my left eye. Hickok45 does the same thing IIRC.
My dad was smart enough to have me shoot long guns lefty, though I'm right handed. I'm strongly left eye dominant. I shoot handguns righty but use my left eye. Hickok45 does the same thing IIRC.
DNS
Member
I agree with the autos working fine for lefties. My daughter and I both are and the Marlin 60 is great. Pumps are another great rifle for lefties.
My hunting rifle is a Harrington Richardson single shot and I can't imagine owning a simpler or safer rifle. It'd work great for a kid.
My hunting rifle is a Harrington Richardson single shot and I can't imagine owning a simpler or safer rifle. It'd work great for a kid.
BikerRN
member
I shoot rifles left handed, although I'm right handed.
For me it has to do with how I was taught as a kid due to my dominant eye. I have never used a left handed bolt action gun in my life. I learned the lesson of avoiding bolt actions that operate from the left side also as a kid. I watched a left handed shooter accustomed to shooting left handed bolt guns miss the opportunity to harvest a nice elk when he had to use a borrowed right handed bolt gun.
I don't know how many times his hand went back and forth on the left side of that Remington trying to chamber a round, but when he was done the polish on that side of the rifle was so fine that it belonged in an art gallery.
My advice is to have your left handed son adapt to the right handed world. Only approximately 10% of the world is right brained, left handed. Thus it seems to me that it would behoove your son to adapt rather than him trying to make the rest of us, 90%, adapt. He will find more things suitable for him, IMHO, if he learns at an early age how to function using right handed equipment.
BikerRN
For me it has to do with how I was taught as a kid due to my dominant eye. I have never used a left handed bolt action gun in my life. I learned the lesson of avoiding bolt actions that operate from the left side also as a kid. I watched a left handed shooter accustomed to shooting left handed bolt guns miss the opportunity to harvest a nice elk when he had to use a borrowed right handed bolt gun.
I don't know how many times his hand went back and forth on the left side of that Remington trying to chamber a round, but when he was done the polish on that side of the rifle was so fine that it belonged in an art gallery.
My advice is to have your left handed son adapt to the right handed world. Only approximately 10% of the world is right brained, left handed. Thus it seems to me that it would behoove your son to adapt rather than him trying to make the rest of us, 90%, adapt. He will find more things suitable for him, IMHO, if he learns at an early age how to function using right handed equipment.
BikerRN
rocinante
Member
Ditto dat as a lefty. Everything else is like that so why handicap yourself with guns? Besides lefties are far more capable using their off hand than most righties are. Remember too that a lot of rifles most folks gripe about their ergonomics are actually more leftie friendly. like the charging handle and safeties being on the right side.
Hangingrock
Member
There is a reason there are so few left handed as the right handers treat it as an abnormal condition which must be changed to conform to the majority. It’s like the right hander is doing you a favor. It’s not the disability that right handers claim it to be.
Where the left hander may have a problem is in instruction by a right hander. Right handers emulate their instructors where a left hander thought process has to revise the instruction given by the right hander.
Apparently there is a demand in the market place that firearms manufactures are addressing as more left handed fire arms are available and ambidextrous is the new buzz word in handgun design.
Some respondents recommend semiautomatic rifles but there is a problem. The ejection port location while suitable for a right hander places a left hander at risk. If you must use the firearm so designed then quality eye protection should be employed.
Where the left hander may have a problem is in instruction by a right hander. Right handers emulate their instructors where a left hander thought process has to revise the instruction given by the right hander.
Apparently there is a demand in the market place that firearms manufactures are addressing as more left handed fire arms are available and ambidextrous is the new buzz word in handgun design.
Some respondents recommend semiautomatic rifles but there is a problem. The ejection port location while suitable for a right hander places a left hander at risk. If you must use the firearm so designed then quality eye protection should be employed.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
This is the best advice so far. Determine which eye is dominant and have him shoulder long guns on that side.
Handedness is easier to adapt than eye dominance. If you try to force him to shoot with his non-dominant eye (by shooting from the opposite shoulder) he'll most likely never be as accomplished a shooter as he would be otherwise.
Nowhere Man
Member
I'm a lefty. Always have been. Don't think I could wipe my rear right handed if I had to. Telling your son to shoot right handed is ridiculous.
The only LH rifle I own is a CZ 452 bolt action. Everything else was designed for right handed shooters and I had no difficulty adapting to it.
Dave
The only LH rifle I own is a CZ 452 bolt action. Everything else was designed for right handed shooters and I had no difficulty adapting to it.
Dave
thunder173
Member
Right handed and left eyed,...60 years old and never owned a left handed firearm. Shot a few,..didn't care for them. I actually run a right handed bolt rifle shooting southpaw faster and more accurately accurately than my right hand shooting brother,..and he's "pretty danged good"...... .
I agree with most of the respondents here. Teach a youth to shoot from the dominant eye,..not necessarily the dominant hand.
. I agree with most of the respondents here. Teach a youth to shoot from the dominant eye,..not necessarily the dominant hand.
USAF_Vet
Member
I'm a lefty, and shoot all guns left handed. I can shoot hand guns off-hand nearly as well as I do strong hand. Long guns, I have some difficulty shooting right handed, but can still hit the broadside of a barn when doing it.
I do not have any guns that are purpose built for lefties.
Let him shoot in the manner in which he feels comfortable. My stepson shoots right handed, and is right hand dominant. My step daughter, who is also right hand dominant, shoots left handed.
I do not have any guns that are purpose built for lefties.
Let him shoot in the manner in which he feels comfortable. My stepson shoots right handed, and is right hand dominant. My step daughter, who is also right hand dominant, shoots left handed.
montveil
Member
Have them shoot left handed to match his dominant eye.
Just think that he will be using his dominant eye and also holding the rifle with his stronger and more educated right hand.
The only caution with a right handed bolt with a scope is it is difficult to reach over the scope. Consider firearms with a tang safety or parts to convert to a left hander. I have a 10-22 auto loader and I installed a left handed safety ~ $10 and have no problems shooting left handed.
http://www.ruger.com/products/1022Carbine/models.html
If you want to teach marksmanship and one shot kills you may want to look into Handi single shots.
Accurate, affordable, safety and loading problems solved with a 22 sportser.
Also the Handi can get another barrel in 17 HMR or 22 mag fitted to the existing frame in the future, if your shooter wants more power
http://www.hr1871.com/Support/accessoryProgram.asp
A Handi followed by a 10-22 would be a good progression.
Just think that he will be using his dominant eye and also holding the rifle with his stronger and more educated right hand.
The only caution with a right handed bolt with a scope is it is difficult to reach over the scope. Consider firearms with a tang safety or parts to convert to a left hander. I have a 10-22 auto loader and I installed a left handed safety ~ $10 and have no problems shooting left handed.
http://www.ruger.com/products/1022Carbine/models.html
If you want to teach marksmanship and one shot kills you may want to look into Handi single shots.
Accurate, affordable, safety and loading problems solved with a 22 sportser.
Also the Handi can get another barrel in 17 HMR or 22 mag fitted to the existing frame in the future, if your shooter wants more power
http://www.hr1871.com/Support/accessoryProgram.asp
A Handi followed by a 10-22 would be a good progression.
desidog
Member
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2008
- Messages
- 2,595
Adapting is something foisted upon lefties in the army. We can do it; because we're used to overcoming diversity, like those right-hand-formed scissors...but there are left handed rifles out there. Even autos...so why not?
To flip the coin, would you buy a left-handed bolt action as a righty?
Years ago lefties didn't have options to buy left handed guns, today we do.
Further, if his gun is lefty, your son might take more pride of ownership; because his dad and brothers won't be grabbing it.
/Lefty, and own both left and right-bolts.
To flip the coin, would you buy a left-handed bolt action as a righty?
Years ago lefties didn't have options to buy left handed guns, today we do.
Further, if his gun is lefty, your son might take more pride of ownership; because his dad and brothers won't be grabbing it.
/Lefty, and own both left and right-bolts.
fiddleharp
Member
Us lefties have far fewer choices of firearms on the market than righthanded shooters. I've heard it said that manufacturers are afraid to take a chance on losing money if they dared to introduce any lefthanded models.
Really? Then explain to me why almost every bow model by almost every archery company comes in a lefthanded model and it didn't bring these manufacturers to ruination.
Why is there no such thing as a lefthanded bolt-action .22 rifle with a tubular magazine?
I recently acquired a 1959 Remington 552 Speedmaster without a shell deflector and got one hell of a surprise when I tried to shoot it lefthanded. If I hadn't been wearing shooting glasses I would have ended up in the emergency room.
It's a beautiful rifle in excellent condition, and a great shooter, but not for lefthanded shooters! :banghead:
Really? Then explain to me why almost every bow model by almost every archery company comes in a lefthanded model and it didn't bring these manufacturers to ruination.
Why is there no such thing as a lefthanded bolt-action .22 rifle with a tubular magazine?
I recently acquired a 1959 Remington 552 Speedmaster without a shell deflector and got one hell of a surprise when I tried to shoot it lefthanded. If I hadn't been wearing shooting glasses I would have ended up in the emergency room.
It's a beautiful rifle in excellent condition, and a great shooter, but not for lefthanded shooters! :banghead:
WardenWolf
member
My advice: as long as he's left-eye dominant, teach him to shoot lefty with a right-handed firearm. I'm left-handed, and I've honestly never used a left-handed gun. Most of my rifles are milsurps, so they have no adaptation at all. I can rattle off shots with my Mauser or Mosin Nagant all day. Teaching him to use a standard firearm will serve him better. Be advised that length of pull may need to be slightly adjusted for him to use it properly, though.
I will warn you that there are a very FEW semi-autos which eject rearwards at an angle. My best advice is to watch Youtube videos or just ask here about their ejection properties. You're free and clear with ComBloc style actions, though. My AK's and SKS all eject forwards.
Seriously, don't teach him to shoot right-handed. It's just not natural feeling at all for a lefty.
Firearms and bows are very different. Bows inherently have to be adapted, whereas most lefties can shoot a right-handed firearm just fine. The cost to produce a left-hand bow is also much lower than to produce a left-hand firearm, as every component except the grip area itself is interchangeable.
I will warn you that there are a very FEW semi-autos which eject rearwards at an angle. My best advice is to watch Youtube videos or just ask here about their ejection properties. You're free and clear with ComBloc style actions, though. My AK's and SKS all eject forwards.
Seriously, don't teach him to shoot right-handed. It's just not natural feeling at all for a lefty.
Firearms and bows are very different. Bows inherently have to be adapted, whereas most lefties can shoot a right-handed firearm just fine. The cost to produce a left-hand bow is also much lower than to produce a left-hand firearm, as every component except the grip area itself is interchangeable.
Although I own only one bolt rifle (a LH Ruger), I've harvested more deer with borrowed RH bolt guns than with my LH bolt. That said, when I bought my first bolt rifle, I bought a LH bolt.
If you only ever take one shot at an animal (which we all strive to do), there is virtually no difference between a LH and RH bolt. If you take your cheek off the stock to cycle the bolt prior to a second shot, there isn't much difference between a RH and LH bolt. It becomes quite difficult if you shoot LH trying to cycle a RH bolt without lifting your cheek off the stock.
So why should shooters/hunters who are LH, left-eye dominant spend a good deal of money on equipment that will force them into awkward, less than optimal shooting techniques? IMHO, if you have the money to buy a rifle for your son, then buy him one that fits him, not somebody else. If you only have the money to buy one for multiple people to share, then that's a different story.
Semi-autos are another good option. I've never fired a semi-auto that is a problem (Rem 1100, Rem 11-87, M1 Garand, Ruger 10-22).
If you only ever take one shot at an animal (which we all strive to do), there is virtually no difference between a LH and RH bolt. If you take your cheek off the stock to cycle the bolt prior to a second shot, there isn't much difference between a RH and LH bolt. It becomes quite difficult if you shoot LH trying to cycle a RH bolt without lifting your cheek off the stock.
So why should shooters/hunters who are LH, left-eye dominant spend a good deal of money on equipment that will force them into awkward, less than optimal shooting techniques? IMHO, if you have the money to buy a rifle for your son, then buy him one that fits him, not somebody else. If you only have the money to buy one for multiple people to share, then that's a different story.
Semi-autos are another good option. I've never fired a semi-auto that is a problem (Rem 1100, Rem 11-87, M1 Garand, Ruger 10-22).
Cop Bob
Member
Seems that I have a lot in common with both BikerRN and thunder173... I am reight handed and left eye dominant as well...
I never owned or shot a left handed gun until about a year ago when I came across a really sweet 700 lefty in .308 heavy.. I like it!
Let him decide, based upon his dominate eye and preferences.. he can adapt.. I would just about lay out a paycheck that it won't make that much difference to him....
I never owned or shot a left handed gun until about a year ago when I came across a really sweet 700 lefty in .308 heavy.. I like it!
Let him decide, based upon his dominate eye and preferences.. he can adapt.. I would just about lay out a paycheck that it won't make that much difference to him....
Red Cent
Member
Right handed, left eye dominant. Shoot long guns left handed, handguns right handed.I couldn't work a left handed bolt without embarrassing myself. My father caught it early, and stuff happened.
In your case, your son is not "set in his ways". I would urge him to shoot long guns left handed, handguns right handed.
In your case, your son is not "set in his ways". I would urge him to shoot long guns left handed, handguns right handed.
Texas Bob
Member
As an "aside", he'll discover, when he gets older, that AK's must have been designed by a "closet" southpaw.
- Status
