Home Forums Hunting & Shooting The Lefty Forum 20ga suggestions?

My son spent some time over Christmas break shooting my RH 870 20ga. He now would like a shotgun of his own and I'd like to get him a LH one that he could use forever. He's 10 but over 5' and 120# so adult sized shotguns may fit well enough. I'm interested in mostly pump and semi-autos (especially with a magazine cutoff). I've done quite a bit of looking so am somewhat familiar with what's on the market but am curious as to what you guys would suggest. Thanks in advance.

Mossberg makes a left handed 20 gauge. I’m a lefty to and have used a right handed version for years successfully. One of these days I might pick one up. My left handed shotguns are all 12 gauge, 870s (real Wingmasters not the cheaper Express models) and an 1187. Also don’t forget the Ithaca pump with a left handed safety). It’s a bit more expensive. Browning BPS works for both.

I am aware of some Turkish shotguns imported under the Legacy/Escort brand that show semi autos in 12 and 20 gauge left handed but I have no experience with them. Same with the Benneli semi autos in 12 and 20, but at significantly higher cost.

The Benelli M2 20 is sweet. Expensive, but you get what you pay for and it will last forever.

My thought as well ^^^^ I purchased a LH SBE for duck hunting to get the 3.5" chamber. Have eventually figured out that I hit just as well with 3" shells. Hence a LH Benelli M2 would suit me fine.

same....lh benilli 20.m2 ...like it so much am buying same in 12....bob

Ithaca Model 37 and Browning BPS are both bottom eject pumps.

Remington 1100's are available in LH and so is their 870 pump - both are side ejects

Not mentioned so far but perhaps an over/under could fit your needs as well.

I have a lefty Legacy 20 gauge and love it. I cracked the wood stock and they sent me a new set of black synthetic furniture at no cost. Still a few on Gunbroker. I got mine at Academy a few years ago.
I also have a Benelli 20 gauge and I love it even more. It weighs like 5 1/2 lbs and it is smooth as glass. I gave 1250.00 when they first came out.
I have owned an 1100 and an 870 in 20 gauge but they were built on a 12 gauge frame. I waited for Mossberg to finally make leftys but have moved onto the semi autos and don't want one now.

Not the shotgun action your looking for as my son and i are left handed and I would choose the Savage model 220 lefthand in 20 gauge. An extremely accurate slug gun.

Browning BPS makes a smaller profile 20 ga that would fit him now. Also has a tang safety and ejects out the bottom. Perfect for us lefties.

I had a Browning BPS 12 gauge and they are very nice for both a lefty and a right hand person. Like mentioned the tang safety and bottom ejection is nice not to mention that BPS shotguns are quite dependable.

I have an Ithaca Model 37. Had them switch the safety to a lefty and won't look back.

Shotguns are one of the many things backwards people make backwards. This is good for those of us who are in our right minds.

In plainer words, get a regular gun and switch the safety around. Which shotgun you get for him depends entirely on how it fits him. You can't just go grab one and tell him to learn to shoot it. If the thing does not shoot where he's looking, you might as well not load it.

As to 20 gauge, being as they are usually lightweight they tend to kick pretty bad. The only way around it is to use .410 class loads in them or just get a heavy one. If you go heavy, you might as well get a 12 gauge.

I would look at something like a Beretta A300 synthetic. The stock is adjustable. They will cycle low recoil loads fine. There are other gas operated autos with adjustable stocks. BUT, that might not be for y'all. Different brands have different styles. You have to go with what fits and points. If Beretta is way off, look to Remington.

Whatever you get, make sure there are adjustment shims for cast and some option for length of pull.

I am right handed , but left eye dominant . I shoot rifles and shotguns left........but handguns and archery right. the m2 also has the adjustable stock . the benilli is a great gun......bob

I agree with you Bob. If I could only own one shotgun, it would be my Benelli SBE.

Thanks for the suggestions and info. The Benelli would be a great buy for him. But, price may get in the way of that, especially since dad's nicest shotgun is an 870 Express... Escort makes a LH 20ga semi-auto. Anyone with experience with it?

One reason I like the pump guns, is that it's very easy to see if they are ready to fire or not. I like the idea of the BPS, except for the weight. That may not be a problem or not, he's just never handled one. I really like the Ithaca 37s but seems like new is the easiest way to get one with screw in chokes. I've been warned to stay away from the new 37s, but not sure of that advice. Any guys here with experience with new 37s?

Again, thanks for the suggestions and info. And I thought LH rifles had a low number of options...

I’ve got a LH m2 12 ga.

I tried to wait out gander mtn on a 20 ga when there were having the xxx% off closing sale. Waited to long and missed out.


I keep looking at a yildiz from academy in 20ga for doves. Seems a good gun for $400

Either franchi or Stoeger make a cheaper semi in LH. I️ think it’s the said inertia system. Just not upgraded stock.

I'm a left -hand shooter that occasional shoots from the right side if I have too. The guys suggesting the BPS are giving you great advice for a pump. I've shot one for years and it's my primary turkey gun. The bottom eject and the tang safety are great for both right and left handers meaning you could shoot it too. I also feel it's easier to watch the safety position on a youngster's gun if it's on top of the tang. Browning makes a micro model with shorter barrel and stock in 20 ga. The Upland model is full size but very compact. With newer shells & choke combinations, the 20 is all he'll ever need for turkeys to upland game.
If you look at semi-autos, look at the Franchi Affinity. They have a compact model. They are made by Benelli in the same factory and, IMHO, you're getting a gun of Benelli quality for a fraction of the cost. Shooting the right-hand model is no problem for a lefty ( I know because I also shoot one in 20 ga,)although I believe they make a LH model. The safety is easily converted from right to left.

I'll jump on the BPS bandwagon as well.

I am not in love with the BPS, with a kid and a pump shot gun I like seeing the action open! For fence crossing,s getting in and out of a truck. Grew up shooting a Model 12 nothing easier to make safe.

I fumble to load and unload my BPS probably old habits,prefer the side load to a bottom eject.
Plus you can buy a LH safety for the Win model 12.

That said I Pheasant Hunt in SD every year with a LH Benelli Montefeltro, much lighter than the BPS I took one year.

Thanks again for the additional info. As of right now, the only lefty shown on Franchi's website is a 12ga. I'm pretty sure I'd rather stay with a 20ga to start him with. My hesitancy with the BPS may go away once I can watch him handle one.