Shotguns with non-reciprocating charging handle?

[mgmorden]

Aside from the AR style designs - are there any other semi-auto shotguns with a non-reciprocating charging handle?

Reason I ask is that my dad only has partial use of his right (dominant) hand due to an injury as a child. He can't move his index/trigger finger on that hand at all and has very limited use of the middle finger. Over the years he adapted to shooting using his ring finger leaving the other two fingers above it. This works fine for pumps but on semi-autos the charging handle often will hit his index finger and bust it open pretty bad. I've tried to tell him to just stick to his Wingmaster that he's shot for decades, but he wants a semi-auto and I've seen him tear up that finger one too many times . I was thinking a gun without a reciprocating handle might alleviate this risk.

EDIT: Well dang it looks like even most (maybe all?) of the AR patterned shotguns use a reciprocating handle too. I suppose an alternate option would be to buy a left-handed gun and him just shoot it right handed so that the handle is reciprocating on the other side.

Thanks!

 

[GE-Mini-Gun]

Get a left handed gun

 

[cdb1]

Yea, I’d get a left-handed shotgun and make sure the cast is neutral at worst or better yet has shims to adjust cast.

 

[George P]

I suppose an alternate option would be to buy a left-handed gun and him just shoot it right handed so that the handle is reciprocating on the other side.

Yep....there are a few brands like the Remington 1100 and Beretta A400; IIRC Fabarm also makes a LH semi

 

[Mr. Zorg]

There are shotguns of the "Street Sweeper" style popular in some movies of the 1980's where SFX transformed them into some super grenade launcher (i.e. Dogs of War, Darkman). I don't know all the hoops required to possess one of those designs these days. I don't think there are RH vs LH versions but I honestly don't know much about these weapons beyond frugal movie SFX platform use decades ago.

This video and web links contain more information. Looks like one part of the video right hand operation is displayed and another part of the video left hand operation is displayed.



https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/53/1781/street-sweeper-shotgun-cobray

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armsel_Striker

Or, you could just get a left handed shotgun.

 

[George P]

Street Sweepers were reclassified as Destructive Devices

 

[DocRock]

Neither an O/U nor a SxS would interfere with the index and middle fingers....

 

[George P]

Neither an O/U nor a SxS would interfere with the index and middle fingers....

Until he tried to use his right hand to open using the top lever

 

[entropy]

There are shotguns of the "Street Sweeper" style popular in some movies of the 1980's where SFX transformed them into some super grenade launcher (i.e. Dogs of War, Darkman). I don't know all the hoops required to possess one of those designs these days. I don't think there are RH vs LH versions but I honestly don't know much about these weapons beyond frugal movie SFX platform use decades ago.

This video and web links contain more information. Looks like one part of the video right hand operation is displayed and another part of the video left hand operation is displayed.



https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/53/1781/street-sweeper-shotgun-cobray

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armsel_Striker

Or, you could just get a left handed shotgun.

That was a Manville Gun in The Dogs of War.



A left handed semiauto should work fine for him.

 

[mjsdwash]

This may sound stupid, but the 1187 has a pull out charging handle, and I'm pretty sure you can shoot it with it removed. If not, it wouldn't be too hard to modify it to work. You would need to use some kind of tool to charge it, but there would be no reciprocating handle. Case ejection may still cause problems though. If you know someone with one, ask to try it.
https://www.google.com/search?q=118...-gS8q5S4DQ&bih=505&biw=800&client=firefox-b-1
This will give you some idea of how they work, and how easy it may be to find a working replacement. Ideally, look for something that clears the hand, so you can still clear it.

 

[entropy]

This may sound stupid, but the 1187 has a pull out charging handle, and I'm pretty sure you can shoot it with it removed. If now, it wouldn't be too hard to modify it to work. You would need to use some kind of tool to charge it, but there would be no reciprocating handle. Case ejection may still cause problems though. If you know someone with one, ask to try it.

The bolt bounces around inside and if your lucky, all that happens is some wear where it normally wouldn't be. Don't ask how I know this. It might fire a few rounds, or not. The operating handle anchors the bolt down where it needs to be. It would be better to just cut the 'handle' part off a charging handle, leaving just enough to be able to pull it out with a pliers.

 

[George P]

Hard to open that chamber if need to be make it safe or clear a malfunction though. Best to get a LH version and go from there

 

[Mr. Zorg]

Street Sweepers were reclassified as Destructive Devices

As covered in the video I embedded in my post.

 

[Mr. Zorg]

That was a Manville Gun in The Dogs of War.

View attachment 924158

And?

 

[entropy]

While it was made in 12 ga. (though more common in 37mm, which of course is a DD), it is an impractical aside from the discussion, as is the Striker. While they may be more ambidextrous than an 1100 or other RH semi auto shotgun, they border on the absurd for the intended purpose. (OTOH, one could shoot a whole round of Trap without reloading a Manville Gun....)

 

[mjsdwash]

The bolt bounces around inside and if your lucky, all that happens is some wear where it normally wouldn't be. Don't ask how I know this. It might fire a few rounds, or not. The operating handle anchors the bolt down where it needs to be. It would be better to just cut the 'handle' part off a charging handle, leaving just enough to be able to pull it out with a pliers.

yea, i could see that. I meant more to do exactly what you say, try if to see if the ejected cases hurt, and if not, look up some of those aftermarket types and see if one could be bent up to clear. If occurs to me removing the handle altogether would be horrible for the reasons you mention, as well as making clearing more complex. But it look like some of those could be heated up, and bent up.

 

[LoonWulf]

Could a right hand gun have a slot cut in the left side and the bolt drilled and tapped for a charging handle? The only semi i have is an stevens/akdas and im pretty sure i could do it that one.

Actually after looking i think all id need to do is cut a second retention notch on the bolt handle and slot the receiver right below the barrel extension. The flat of the extension would keep the handle from spinning even.

 

[DocRock]

Until he tried to use his right hand to open using the top lever

Strange. I use my thumb for that. How do you do it?

 

[cdb1]

This may sound stupid, but the 1187 has a pull out charging handle

Every semi-auto shotgun I’ve ever seen has a pull out bolt handle. It’s impossible to take the bolt out of the receiver without removing the handle.

 

[eastbank]

wincheaster made a semi auto shotgun i think the model 11 that you used the barrel to charge the chamber(widow maker).

 

[mgmorden]

Thanks guys. I think I'm going to end up going with the left-handed gun route.

 

[Virginian]

The 1100/11-87 will work fine with the handle pulled out. I knew a guy who had a hand issue - don't remember the specifics - and I drilled a hole in the operating handle of an 1100 or 11-87 so he could put it on a lanyard and let it hang round his neck between uses. Worked fine for 15 years and then I lost track.

 

[George P]

Strange. I use my thumb for that. How do you do it?

I do too, but since the OP's father had very limited use of two of those fingers, holding the gun securely while doing that might present a problem.

OP look up Jon Kruger. I knew him before he blew half his fingers off his dominant hand. He is the first person elected into the national Sporting Clays HOF. He uses a glove and, IIRC, some form of velcro on the stock to aid him in his shooting. Maybe something similar could help your dad?

 

[GE-Mini-Gun]

Still trying to figure this out...the stock gets "tucked" under right arm, left hand holds forearm...gun rotated to about 45 degrees right and right thumb hits lever, left hand is pulling forearm down, shells eject into hand and drop into hull bag, pick two out, insert into chambers, close gun and mount and call for bird(s). Not sure, how limited use of fingers are a hindrance to opening an O/U.

 

[WestKentucky]

Winchester 1910? Remington model 11? Browning A5? I’m thinking about long recoil guns because the charging hook could easily be chopped to a minimal size and the gun remain fully functional. Wouldn’t be optimal by any stretch by I have chambered my rem 11 by putting the butt on my boot and shoving the barrel down, just to prove I could. A minimal charging handle would be far better.