I don't mind the bolt handles. They have never given me any grief. However, I shoot differently than you righties. I grew up shooting the m1917 and also heard that one will tear into your knuckle pretty good. I was at the LGS a couple months ago and the guy behind the counter told me that and I said, "hmmmm, I grew up using one and never had that problem"... He handed the rifle to me and I shouldered it on the left side and he said, "smart azz"...