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.

the main thing to ....me.....is that the stock is cast for a lefty......or neutral.....right hand controls.....safety....ejection.....don't bother me, but a stock bent the wrong way, is probably not the best for good shooting......and if the stock is adjustable, better yet.....but once,cry once......bob

I am a fan of Ithaca 37s, which are a copy of the Browning design, but are lighter than the Browning. My Ithaca 37 in 20 gauge has been my go to upland gun since the early 1970s when it replaced a stolen 12 gauge model 37. I had a left hand safety on it before I even shot it. It loads and ejects from the bottom, so with the safety swap it is a true left hand gun. My son recently bought a used 37 in 20 gauge for $300. They are getting hard to find, but they are out there. I found a 16 gauge model 37 in a pawn shop about 6 years ago that already had a left hand safety on it. I paid $235 OTD.

I agree with Leon on the Ithaca 37. Used a 20ga. Browning for 25 years and while it is very well made it is just too heavy for a 20. My Browning 20 weighed more than my Ithaca 12 and both had 28 in. barrels. Now have a 16 Ithaca and I like it the best of all three. As far as changing the safety on the Ithaca goes I did it and I am no gunsmith. The new Ithaca guns from Ohio are supposed to be heavier than the old ones.

There is no lighter gun than the Ithaca 37 featherweight. If weight is your priority, go with it. The 20 gauge BPS is somewhat heavier but I would have your son make the final decision. Put one in his hands and see how he likes and handles it. Good luck.

I have both the BPS and Model 37. I much prefer the Model 37.

Both are 20 gauge?

I have the 3.5" BPS and it is a tank but good for magnum loads. We had a Franchi with the alloy frame it worked well for several thousand rounds and then seemed to shoot loose all at once.

I like to start youngsters with break action shot guns and have them keep it open while waiting to shoot. But if it is to be a life time gun hard to do better than the Benelli. In Columbia and Argentina I have heard that some of the outfitters switched to the SBE as it has good recoil attenuation and almost all the others would only last a couple of seasons. I have only shot the 37 a couple of times so no real opinion on them.

A new BPS Micro is in the same price range as a new A300. And the BPS either fits you or it doesn't. It doesn't for many people. I wish they fit me. Nice guns!

On the budget end of things, there's the Mossberg 500. There are youth and length of pull adjustable models. The Mossberg comes with drop shims. Sanding the drop shims, or just sticking a flat toothpick on the right side between the stock and receiver will get a little cast to make it fit the boy better.

The down side to the aluminum framed pump is they're too light for target work. Low recoil loads in the 20 ga and 12 gauge versions are about the same due to the differences in weight. A light 20ga with standard loads versus an A300 with low recoil loads is no contest. The 12 gauge gas gun is the softer shooter. To get as easy a shooting gun in a 20 gauge pump it needs to be up toward eight pounds.

I mention all this about recoil because we often forget just how fierce is the recoil of shotguns. A six pound 20 gauge kicks like a 30/06. Put duck or turkey loads in it and you've got an elephant gun in terms of recoil. You can add weight to a lighter gun, though. So it's not a deal breaker as long as you consider balance when you fill the stock and magazine tube.

I would not get a supposedly LH pump. The Mossberg safety is ambidextrous. Everything else on the LH model is backwards for LH use.

I own both in 12 gauge but have shot both in 20 gauge. I prefer the Model 37 over the BPS in both 12 and 20 gauge.

If I may give you my two cents worth, I gave my two sons 870 Rem 20 ga.youth models when they turned 12 yrs. old. My daughter I gave a BPS 20 ga. because she is left handed, when she was 14. Years later, having gotten remarried I gave my stepson a 870 youth model 20 ga. All I can say is that all four of these kids grew up to total animals with a shotgun, they didn't have to unlearn any bad habits like I did from shooting a shotgun that’s to long and heavy. They are all grown up now but when we set up they clay pigeon thrower and bust some clays they all bring their youth models and have a ball even though they have graduated to bigger and better guns.

Pointer: Is your son truly left-handed? Or, just left-eye dominant? If he is a true 'southpaw' then a left-handed pump gun would be the way to go. If he uses his right hand to load the gun then perhaps a RH gun would be the best option. I shoot left-handed (eye dominance) and am right handed so working the pump and loading/unloading with my right hand feels more natural so I stick with RH 870's and 7600's. I work the safeties with my left thumb. Never had an issue with doing that. Although most of my clay shooting guns are Browning O/U's in both 20's and 12's.

Mostly left eye dominant. He does most everything else right handed, except swing a bat!

Untitled by Tyler Staggs, on Flickr

You do bring up a good point and one I'll look into with him (which hand he loads with). Thanks for bringing that to my attention as I hadn't really considered that.

like some others i really like few BPS i have.

When my son was 8 or 9, he started with a 870 youth 20ga. I found out he was right handed but left eye dominant after shooting rim fire rifles. He tried to shoot the 870, but didn't like the safety. I ended up purchasing a used BPS 20ga, and never looked back. He could hold his own shooting sporting clays with a pump, and loved the safety location. He shot his first turkey at 10 yrs old with the 20ga, then stepped up and borrowed my BPS 10ga last year. He shoots trap on the local school team. He started with the BPS, but soon switched to an o/u. He still uses the BPS' for hunting, and is very comfortable with them. On a side note, he shoots rifles lefty, and is ok with either lefty or righty bolt actions. Nothing can replace range time and practice/practice/practice until they are comfortable with any firearm.
So get out and get shooting, most of all, have fun with him. Time flies by way to fast as the grow up.

26 years later I still find myself shooting the 870 youth 20ga that my dad gave to me. It is a RH model but if you can find a lefty I would be a good investment. BC of the size I use mine now as my turkey gun in the spring and with a cantilever barrel it is my go to deer gun when I was in an area that was shotgun only.

However-- once I was big enough for a 12ga I went with a BPS. They aren't light but they are solid and easy to operate and it was nice not having something 'wrong handed'.

I am kind of in the same spot - I am hoping my 11 year old daughter will draw her first turkey license for this spring. She is pretty petite - 4’9” and about 75 lbs. Locally I have found a used 20 ga BPS Micro in great condition. Seems kind of heavy, but I’m not sure i’d want a lighter 20 gauge for her. I just recently read about the Stevens 555 Compact in 28 ga. Weighs just over 5 lbs. seems like that would be great gauge and size, but I have some concern about quality and doubt that I could ever resell it for as much as the Browning. If we take care of the BPS, we could probably sell it for near even money later if we so chose.

Well, the plot thickens...

Yesterday, the local Pheasants Forever chapter had a youth day. Unlimited trap and skeet, as well as getting to hunt 2 roosters over a dog. I took my son whom was shooting my RH 870 20ga. He missed his first 4-5 clays, but with a bit of instruction started to get the hang of it. By the end of the day it wasn't a surprise if he broke 4-6 in a row! To say he was excited and proud of himself would be an understatement. One great thing about the day, is he got to try out a couple of neutral O/Us that folks let us borrow. And he really liked them! They were both lighter than the 870, but he stated that both kicked less as well. Even better is that he liked the "budget" example he shot over the Citori he shot. The budget shotgun was a Mossberg Silver Reserve, FWIW.

So, I'd also be open to an neutral or LH cast, 20ga O/U suggestions! Especially those under $1K and the more below that the better! CZs, Mossberg, and Stoeger's seem to get the most bandwidth in that price range. Any and all suggestion would be welcome as I hadn't really considered O/Us as I didn't think he or I would like them. After watching him use one and seeing other youngsters pack them in the field, I can see a lot of attributes I like about them for a youngster.

PS- We still haven't been able to lay hands on a BPS or Ithaca, so they are not out of the question by any means.

I started both mine on over and unders. Top tang safety, very nice. Ability to glance at action and see if loaded, very nice. Ability to reinforce checking bores for obstructions, also very nice. Daughter is currently shooting a beretta 685 which does not have ejectors. We are liking it way more than we thought we would and it is a touch lighter as well. Might look for a used one of those as they run a little less money wise also.

Spend $12 and buy 20 ga shotgun bore sighter try it on various shotguns till you find one that points to where you look. Bought a nice 20 ga OU for my wife that way found one that fit her and she shoots it well.

With those swing fundamentals at 10, he may be buying you your next shotgun!

If you want to go with the BPS, I have a new youth gun with the spacers in the stock. I would be open to trading stocks if swapping them wasn't a big deal.

I think that is his plan! When he does it right, he can sure hit a baseball hard. Being over 5' and 125# at 10 doesn't hurt either. That said, we still make him do his homework, even if he does consider that a Plan C. LOL

KK- Thanks for the boresighter suggestion. Have never thought of that, but plan on giving it a try.

DryPowder- I will be in touch if the need arises for a shorter stock on a BPS.

30- The attributes of an OU that you mention are what make it attractive for me for a kid. Only break action shotguns I'd been around were single barrelled, hammered things that I find less than ideal.

If you go with a 20 ga O/U, I don’t think you can beat the CZ for the price. For a pump, either a LH 870 or the original Ithaca 37 would be my two top choices.

If I could locate a LH 870 in 20ga, it'd be hard for me not to buy it. In all my looking, I've yet to run across one for sale.

I'll check out the CZ and see if they are neutral cast. In reading a review about the budget O/U he shot, it stated that it has a slight RH cast. Only mention of that I've seen, but he did say it shot softer than the 870.

Lh 870's and 1100's were built on full size 12 gauge frames. Little or no weight savings. Got one of each downstairs in the safe. Will say again the Legacy Escort auto in 20 ga is a good gun. The only auto 20 besides the Benelli.

Browning uses zero cast on/off in their stocks as far as I know.

FWIW, CZ makes OU in both 12 and 20 with cast for a left hander. The Drake is the one most in my price range. No real mention of right hand cast in their other offerings, but if the advertise a true LH one I'd assume the others are for RH...

Scott- Thanks for the info on the LH 870. That takes it out of consideration for me. I have a question out to Legacy about the Escort in LH. The website still shows it, but the downloadable pdf specs/pricing sheet does not. Some are still available through vendors, which is still a possibility. With the magazine cutout, I'm guessing it'd not be much different for a 10yo to use than a pump gun from a safety standpoint. Now if I could get my hands on one to see if he likes it...

I agree with previous posters, I have a Ithaca 37 20 gauge. Bottom eject, LH safety installed. Light, handy, very well made. I like the Browning as well, bottom eject and buttery smooth.

In for a penny, in for a pound...

I won a Gunbroker auction for an Ithaca 37 with a 28" modified barrel. I had seen in posted previously and won the auction for a darn low price. It's worn, but in pretty good shape. In fact, I'd say it's in roughly the same or better shape than the 870 I got at 16. First order of business will be to replace the broken buttplate with a red recoil pad, install a lefthand safety, and replace the sight bead. Can't decide if I want to go with a KickEez or an Ithaca sunburst replica. The Pachmayr sporting clays pad was my first choice, but doesn't come in red any longer. I'll probably let my son decide on the site bead, but I'm leaning toward gold! It's only a few bucks more than brass. And it's gold! The wood's in pretty decent shape, but I'm thinking it would make for a good project for the two of us to refinish it. Other than the one really bad spot on the receiver, the metal's in pretty darn good shape. A few old, rust spots and some pitting. I'm thinking I'd like to refinish it as well, but not sure with what or how. In a bit of research, it seems that metal refinishing can be quite the rabbit hole to do down...

Anyway, here's the pics.
Untitled by Tyler Staggs, on Flickr
Untitled by Tyler Staggs, on Flickr
Untitled by Tyler Staggs, on Flickr
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Untitled by Tyler Staggs, on Flickr
Untitled by Tyler Staggs, on Flickr
[img]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/867/41085733724_0ec57ea321_b.jpg[/img]Untitled by Tyler Staggs, on Flickr

Very nice, Pointer. Are you sure you want to take on a refinish job? It's an old gun and I have no issues with it looking its age.

Now that I have it in hand, I'm not sure how much I'll do on a refinish. It's actually nicer than I expected as the pics on Gunbroker were not very good and I think it's why I got it for the price I did. Heck, it's not in much worse shape than most any other firearms I have. The safety, front site, possibly grip cap, and recoil pad should be easy and cheap enough.

One thing I'm waffling on is the recoil pad. I can't decide if this is retro cool or tacky...

PoInter,

I may have a lefty 870 20 gauge for sale in the near future. For some reason having trouble with the stock fit with the shotgun on the skeet field. Never had that issue with a Remington before....driving me crazy.

Doc

Took the boys for a quick overnighter to the cabin on this weekend. Took the Ithaca along for a test drive. Everytime my oldest picks it up he comments on how light it is. lol. No moving targets, but it apparently shoots to POA for him as all the cans "died" with one shot. It seems to fit him well!

Untitled by Tyler Staggs, on Flickr

That's a confidence builder.

He's very much enjoying it! Now I just need to get the LH safety and replace the butt plate with a recoil pad.