Actually, I have 2 of them. A custom barreled/custom stock 338wm Carl Gustaf (1900 Husqvarna). And a soon to be stocked factory barreled action in the same in 3-06. Both unfired. Very rare in LH.
"Any one who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the Government take care of him, better take a closer look at the American Indian." - Henry Ford
Two LH MRI Mountain Eagles (.375H&H, .270Win) based on Sako LH actions...
Before my full-fledged rifle loonyism began I very nearly bought one of those LH SAKO actions that MRI was clearing out. They were unbarreled but they came with a B&C stock and were selling for $400! I now wish I'd gotten two of them.
The Chosin Few November to December 1950, Korea. I'm not one of the Chosin Few but no more remarkable group of Americans ever existed.
Actually, I have 2 of them. A custom barreled/custom stock 338wm Carl Gustaf (1900 Husqvarna). And a soon to be stocked factory barreled action in the same in 3-06. Both unfired. Very rare in LH.
Spectacular!
The Chosin Few November to December 1950, Korea. I'm not one of the Chosin Few but no more remarkable group of Americans ever existed.
I'm starting to believe that they're all pretty darn rare... Been chasing another used 700 LH SA, their like hen's teeth! Mine would be the Sako 75 Hunter in 30/06.
Don't mean to one up anybody (sure ), but my rarest is a pair.
Matched pair of LH Kimber of Oregon rifles, a Model 82 .22 LR and a Model 84 .223, with matching low 3 digit serial numbers. Both of them are LH13x.
Got the Model 82 early in the 80's. When Kimber announced the LH Model 84 they let you order the serial number you wanted, or Lock, Stock and Barrel did, I forget which. I ordered the serial number to match my 82.
Have two of the LH stainless Ruger short action Hawkeyes in .308, supposedly they only made 17 or 19 of them. One is brand NIB with the hang tag. Not sure what I want to do with it - shoot it, rebarrel it or save it. Also have one of the LH SS Hawkeyes in .223 of which they only made a small handful - apparently all with bent barrels.
Gunnery, gunnery, gunnery. Hit the target, all else is twaddle!
My left handed 1941 Model 70 35 Whelen. Converted to lefty of course. I'm not sure who did the conversion but have been told it might of been an Oregon gunsmith by the name of Bob Smith. I cannot verify that however.
Chronographs, bore scopes and pattern boards have broke a lot of hearts.
Although they are no longer with me I once owned a push feed Mauser 375, stock looked like Weatherby made it. Paid something like $300 for it in 1978. Also owned a couple of Kimber .22's but sold both after buying a Cooper as the Cooper is more accurate than either of the Kimbers.
My biggest fear is when I die my wife will sell my guns for what I told her they cost.
MIne was a Winchester Model 70, NIB 375 H&H. After I picked up a 458 WM, the 375 went up for sale. After that I would have to say an alloy receiver Sauer 200.
Actually, I have 2 of them. A custom barreled/custom stock 338wm Carl Gustaf (1900 Husqvarna). And a soon to be stocked factory barreled action in the same in 3-06. Both unfired. Very rare in LH.
Those are very very beautiful rifles. But in my mind a rifle in unfired condition is like marrying a super model for her brains. HA
"Good tings come to dose who shoots straight." Alphonse Soady
Actually, I have 2 of them. A custom barreled/custom stock 338wm Carl Gustaf (1900 Husqvarna). And a soon to be stocked factory barreled action in the same in 3-06. Both unfired. Very rare in LH.
Those are very very beautiful rifles. But in my mind a rifle in unfired condition is like marrying a super model for her brains. HA
Won't remain unfired for long.
"Any one who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the Government take care of him, better take a closer look at the American Indian." - Henry Ford
Sambo I have a a Sako 591 LH 7mm-08, with pretty good wood and it shoots.
I gues my most rare lefty is a Savage 110LH PLE. I missed buying another a while back and even emailed the auction winner I would pay him an immediade profit; never heard from the guy. Mine shoots very well.
Be Polite , Be Professional , but have a plan to kill everybody you meet -General James Mattis United States Marine Corps
Sambo I have a a Sako 591 LH 7mm-08, with pretty good wood and it shoots.
I gues my most rare lefty is a Savage 110LH PLE. I missed buying another a while back and even emailed the auction winner I would pay him an immediade profit; never heard from the guy. Mine shoots very well.
I have nothing "rare". I guess the closest thing would be my Sako AV 25-06, Hunter model.
I got it off the hunting rifles section on here last summer. A fellow mentioned that he had been looking at a gun safe for sale buy a private individual and the guy had a couple LH guns he was selling in addition to the safe. We worked out a price via the PM route and he bought it then sold it to me. Not sure if he made anything on the deal but I could care less as the price was very fair for a NIB Sako.
I just bought one which I believe is a Presentation Grade. I was going to make a 257 out of it but was told it'd be a shame to cut it up as you don't see too many. I have it in the classifieds for $525 with rings and scope; only one response so far. The Premier is not necessarly my thing, bit much for me, but the last one I saw for sale I couldn't help but think it was a great value, went for 8 or 900 dollars. I offered the guy 1200 right after the auction ended and never heard back from him.
Be Polite , Be Professional , but have a plan to kill everybody you meet -General James Mattis United States Marine Corps
My rarest would undoubtedly be a LH Kimber 84 in 6x47. Next would be a LH Anschutz 1700 in 22 Hornet.
Neat! Two 6x47 KoO M84's in the same thread.
What's the rifling twist on it?
I'd love to see pics of it if you have any.
Below should be a pic of the 6X47 (top), the Anschutz Hornet (centre)and another Kimber 84 that I have in 222 (bottom). The 6X47 is a very trim rifle and is really nice to carry. At present I have fitted a 6X42 S&B and it suits the rifle and its intended use quite well.
I was a bit lucky a few years back when I stumbled across an estate sale and bought 4 LH rifles from that sale. I'm very happy with all of them as the previous owner looked after them really well. The 22 Hornet I picked up in the UK when I used to live there.
I understand Kimber used various twist barrels in the 6X45 and 6X47 rifles that they built. Mine has a 1 in 9" twist and easily stabilises 100 gr bullets. In terms of performance, its sweet spot seems to be with 80-87 gr bullets. I cant imagine Kimber built many of these in LH.
Tell us about your rifle and the loads you're using ?
I don't know how rare it is, but I had a hard time finding one- a Remington 581L. It is a superbly accurate rifle with the very plainest features. The bolt is a true lefty, but the safety and ejection are right hand.
I still have one and see the 581 in Left Hand at some of the Gun Show i attended in 2012. I rebarreled my LH 581 with a 18 inch Shaw Heavy Barrel and a Tractor and Trailer wouldn't haul the stuff i have killed with this rifle over the years. I purchased it back in the 70's. The 581 has one spring in the trigger that operates the sear and the trigger. I took the spring out and drill a hole in the trigger cut the spring into and made two springs installed a pin in the drilled hole and replace the springs and this cut the trigger pull in halve and the rifle now has a crisp two to three pound trigger pull.
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
I have three. A 54 Winchester in 25 x 47 converted to lefty. Still has the original barrel in hornet, but rebored to 25 cal. I also have two Remington 722's converted to lefty, 244 and 222.
Son got one of those lefty 581s off the forum about a year ago. Sweet shooting rigs with factory barrel even. Another of those never to be sold rifles.
Bea, I considered having mine rebarreled with a 541 barrel, but it is just so danged accurate that I am afraid to do anything to it. It has shot bug holes since day one. The only thing done to it was a trigger job the first week I had it. The pull is crisp and light.
Ironically, I was trying to find out how rare my Model 84 Kimber in .222 was when I found this forum. I registered not to find out what my rarest LH is but rather to find out how rare mine is.
The serial number is LH4X, seemingly a pretty low number. Does anyone have an idea of how many LH 84s were made, and of those how many were triple deuce?
So as not to hijack the thread, I have no idea what my rarest LH would be. It might depend on caliber?
Besides the 84 Kimber, a candidate in my safe is a Heym .416 Rigby, SN 100xx, that I bought used about 10 years ago. It is parkerized and enough well used when I bought it that I thought I'd never get the copper fouling out. The butt so small that it's frightening to think of shooting it--a notion reinforced by the fact that the petite little recoil pad is broken. In square inches of area I don't think it's much more than half of my Dakota .375 and looks oddly small behind the Rigby action.
Another candidate would be a Remington Kevlar Custom mountain rifle in .280 Remington. I ordered it the moment I learned such was available. It has a Brown Precision stock and slim taper 24" barrel, weighing 6 lbs. A 30" tube 3.5-10 Leica and a recoil pad take it up not quite another 13 ounces. It was apparently designed for people who like the recoil of a 7 Mag but don't want their bullets to go so fast.
Even though it came from the custom shop, it was a catalog item and the first LH production rifle I could find in .280 so I ordered it immediately. It must have a relatively low serial number for its breed and caliber: B6785xxx.
The later Kevlar Custom rifles are much less svelte (I bought a RH for my son). The stock and barrel contour are somewhat heavier. I don't know when Remington porked them up.
I only know that I had mine by the mid-80s, nothing other than that.
If anyone could share any info about any of the 3 it would be great. I'd like to know which one is rarest myself.
There are certainly some nice LH rifles people seem to find.
David - welcome to the forum. I'd like to see a pic of your rifles, especially the Heym.
Regarding your question about the LH Kimbers in 222, I dont know but LH Kimbers are generally very rare and probably one of the best of the short actions that were available to lefties.
I don't know how rare it is, but I've only seen the one I have. Its a LH Weatherby Euromark in .240 Weatherby.
Mike
Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday - John Wayne
I have a sauer 202 lux in 06 that is an amazing rifle! I stumbled on it as a local shop bought and sold a few. With it I truly do not need another center fire rifle, and a cz rimfire takes care of my 22. I owned a cooper 57 that was a very early left hand rifle but the cz matched it with accuracy still miss the cooper though.
What you have done is not nearly as important as how you have done it!!! The Old Fart 2008 A.D.
I have managed to come up with a few rare lefties over the years.
A LH Zastava in 9.3x62 with a Lonewolf stock.
A LH Sako in 35 Whelen Imp with a nice piece of walnut. This gun also has a Griffin & Howe mount AND a peepsite setup that you can stll use WITH the scope mounted.
A Hart action with Hart barrel in 300 WSM riding in a Lonewolf stock.
I have several other lefties but these are the ones I would consider rare.
Heaven has a wall, a gate and strict immigration policy.
My first LH Rifle in 1971 or 1972 was the Left Hand Remington 788 in 6mm Rem . The only rifle i ever really shot the barrel out of . I killed more than 60 deer and thousand of groundhogs with that rifle. My go to loads was the Sierra 75 gr HP and H380 for varmints and the Hornady and Sierra 100 gr with H4831.
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
Sako L581 in .284 Win. The 581 was a prototype distributed to gunwriters in USA for evaluation. Original caliber was .308. Comments were negative and gun was never marketed. According to Sako rep, Col. Charles Askins did not return his rifle. Back then this seemed to be accepted by the manufacturers. Askins had his gun rebarreled by the looks of it and the action reworked to .284 Win. I found the gun on the 'net with an authentication letter from Askins and bought it.
Sako L581 in .284 Win. The 581 was a prototype distributed to gunwriters in USA for evaluation. Original caliber was .308. Comments were negative and gun was never marketed. According to Sako rep, Col. Charles Askins did not return his rifle. Back then this seemed to be accepted by the manufacturers. Askins had his gun rebarreled by the looks of it and the action reworked to .284 Win. I found the gun on the 'net with an authentication letter from Askins and bought it.
Have a lot of rare ones! Carl Gustav, Mauser 66, coopers, Alfa , texasmag,ackley lh, pre64 's converted , heyms, bats, mauser3000's. But the most rare is A. Baushka brill double square bridge Mauser in 416 rigby,True lefthand. Not converted. I know , THEY NEVER MADE ONE!!! Oh yes they did! I think I miss spelled it.
On the rifle pictured (Converted Mod 70) as maybe by Bob Smith, I think
From te looks of it, as I have had them, using a screw for the bolt stop/release, it's a Bob West job.
I still have one, but had Duane Wiebe make a conventional type Mod 70 bolt stop. Also have a Tom Burgess altered one and a Duane Wiebve altered one with a total different bolt release. Nice, but it removes and peep sight option. Probably could go to the other side and fit a Mauser unit.
You are right it was Bob West. When I made that post I couldn't remember whether his last name was West or Smith. Thanks for jogging my memory. I fitted and modified a model 70 bolt stop to mine so that it is under the bolt handle. Mine originally had the screw for a bolt stop.
Mart
Chronographs, bore scopes and pattern boards have broke a lot of hearts.
JFE: Thanks for the welcome--I'm not ignoring the request for a photo. I opted to do a studio shoot (I've done some fashion and product photography; "anything worth doing is worth doing well".) I made it to my studio yesterday with the dual purpose of showing my brother how to set up a classic 4 light strobe layout for a model shoot he's doing Friday and experimenting with firearm photography.
By yesterday I had in-adverted to your request for a picture of my left-handed battery--not just the Heym--and then had connectivity/compatibility issues with my brother's full frame Nikon digital camera. I'm in the process of sorting them out.
It dawned on me that photos of all my firearms would be a worthwhile project, so I'm going to start over today.
Here is the list: CZ 452, .22LR Kimber 84, .222 Stag 15, .223 Remington 700LH Kevlar Custom, .280 Winchester Model 70, .30-06 Dakota 76, .375 H&H Heym Express, .416 Rigby
My first two LH rifles (and my other long guns) were stolen in 1973. All of the current battery came afterwards. Although the original post implied current ownership, "the ones that got away" would be in the same league with the ones I and others included in this thread.
I bought a Savage 110 barreled action in .243 at a gun shop in the first year of production. I found a Bishop drop-in stock in another gun shop. It wore a Redfield scope. It quickly proved to me that .243 was not a 300 yard deer cartridge-a heart shot deer ran about a half a mile before he got to a fence he couldn't jump. It would qualify as rare in my collection because the 110, introduced in 1958, is oldest continually produced bolt action rifle made in the US and the LH introduced the next year was the first commercially available LH bolt gun. Adding the combination of a low serial number and the amateur assembly (with no gun smithing) of components purchased from retail sources would I think make it virtually a one-of-a-kind 1 moa production rifle--neither custom nor one piece.
The other was a Browning T-Bolt, also bought at introduction (about 1965) and I believe the first .22 LH available. I don't miss the Savage but I really would like to have the T-Bolt back. Indeed, the CZ is at Briley as I write this, challenging a gun smith to get as much creep as possible out of the trigger and maybe even a clean break (he isn't all that optimistic).
I forgot my Remington 700 LH in .300 Win. Mag. It's stainless with a gray laminated stock--I doubt if it's rare. The PH I hunted with in SA early December had just bought a new RH one just like it.
Another picture of it. (Yes I know I'm shameless!)
Please tell me that's an aftermarket glass stock and that you didn't paint a factory KofO wood stock!
The AA walnut was nice but I like the look of Rustoleum better so the rattle can went to work. Everyone has walnut, not everyone has an original interpretation of a Jackson Pollock piece on their rifle.
Just kidding! It is a fiberglass (Kevlar?) stock of indeterminate origin. Possibly MPI? Nice egros, stiff and 19.3 oz.
The Chosin Few November to December 1950, Korea. I'm not one of the Chosin Few but no more remarkable group of Americans ever existed.
The other was a Browning T-Bolt, also bought at introduction (about 1965) and I believe the first .22 LH available. I don't miss the Savage but I really would like to have the T-Bolt back. Indeed, the CZ is at Briley as I write this, challenging a gun smith to get as much creep as possible out of the trigger and maybe even a clean break (he isn't all that optimistic).
In case you are not aware, Browning are making T-bolts again and they are available in LH in a number of rimfire calibres.
With my CZ I didnt attempt to adjust the trigger and simply swapped in a Timney trigger. I also fitted a trigger shoe and very happy with the way it turned out. For an inexpensive rifle these are a great option to have available in left hand.
About ten years ago I picked up a left-handed straight-pull Ross M10 in 30-06. Had a regular right handed M10 in .280 Ross, too, but I never fired either one.
JFE: I think I bought my CZ before I knew they put the T-Bolt back in the catalog. I remembered some differences between the new and the old so I just checked out the Browning catalog and some posts. The varmint model in .17 or .22 mag is attractive. I think I'm going be on the lookout to replace my original one, though.
My CZ is at Briley to see what they can do with the trigger. They didn't suggest an after market and I hadn't seen any posts that mentioned the Timney. The attraction of Briley is that they do really good work and they're only 15 minutes away. The downside (that comes with being good) is that turn around time is usually slow plus gunsmithing is a adjunct to manufacturing.
As I posted earlier, their gunsmith wasn't terribly optimistic about the outcome of his efforts. If I'm not satisfied with the way it turns out, I'll go for the Timney.
Thanks for the tip!
I still haven't made it out to my studio to shoot (with a camera) my rifles.
Don't know how rare these are, but you don't see many come up for sale. I bought it in the mid 80's when the importer cut the price of the left handed ones by two thirds.
Charter Member Ancient order of the 1895 Winchester
"It's an insecure and petite man who demands all others like what he likes and dislike what he dislikes." szihn
Don't know how rare these are, but you don't see many come up for sale. I bought it in the mid 80's when the importer cut the price of the left handed ones by two thirds.
Don't know how rare these are, but you don't see many come up for sale. I bought it in the mid 80's when the importer cut the price of the left handed ones by two thirds.
What chambering is that little honey?
6.5x55. Very accurate, mild recoil and kills deer without any drama.
Charter Member Ancient order of the 1895 Winchester
"It's an insecure and petite man who demands all others like what he likes and dislike what he dislikes." szihn
Personally, I find it scandalous that left-handed, bolt-action rifles are "rare" at all. Why isn't there a left-handed version of every right-handed model out there? Are southpaws the only remaining minority group that doesn't rate any consideration whatsoever?
Personally, I find it scandalous that left-handed, bolt-action rifles are "rare" at all. Why isn't there a left-handed version of every right-handed model out there? Are southpaws the only remaining minority group that doesn't rate any consideration whatsoever?
The issue is that we have not made enough of stink (or paid enough politicians) to become a protected class. Yes, Left Handers are discriminated against. Unfortunately, it is perfectly legal to do so. Several years ago, I thought it might be interesting to investigate a class action law suit against firearms manufacturers to force them to offer the same selection of options in LH rifles as are offered in RH rifles, and to offer them at the same price as RH rifles. But, after thinking about it, one of the potential outcomes would be that some of the manufacturers might simply fold up shop rather than litigate. Since the goal would be to INCREASE selection, an option that might DECREASE selection is probably not the best curse of action.
But, yes, it sucks that we are openly discriminated against, without any recourse.
You guys are kiddin', right? Given that left handers make up only 10% of the population, from a buisiness aspect I'm surprised at the options we DO have.
Charter Member Ancient order of the 1895 Winchester
"It's an insecure and petite man who demands all others like what he likes and dislike what he dislikes." szihn
Left Handers = 10% of population Mixed Handers = ~20% ADA Severe disabilities = 12% ADA Non-severe disabilities = 7% LGBTQ = 5% to 6%
Numerically, Left handers are on par with the Severely disabled, and double the LGBTQ population. If you include Mixed Handers, people who switch hands based on the task (in the case of shooters, think cross eye dominant, blind in dominant eye, shoulder injury) the potential left hand population eclipses all ADA and LGBTQ populations combined. However, there is no legal requirement for "accommodation" of the left hand population.
Myself and 30 million other Americans were born left handed. We did not "choose" to be left handed. From a purely numerical stand point, there are much smaller populations of people who receive legal protection because they were "born that way" than left handers.
If I want a LH SS M70 in .30-06, why should I have to pay 2x to 3x the cost of the same rifle in RH configuration, just to put the bolt on the opposite side of the receiver ? We don't tell restaurant patrons in wheel chairs that they have to pay 2x or 3x the menu price to cover the cost of the wheel chair ramp out front. We don't tell restaurant patrons in wheelchairs that they can only choose 20% of the available menu options. But that is essentially what happens to Left Hand firearms owners year in and year out.
Am I going to run out and hire Johnny Cochran ? No. But, the fact that Left Handers are not a legally recognized "protected class" does not mean that there is not discrimination...
nsaqam, My apologies in advance for derailing your thread...
please keep in mind that my previous post is in the spirit of open debate/discussion. not an attack on tmitch or anyone else... I'm not offended. And hopefully I do not offend no one else.
You guys are kiddin', right? Given that left handers make up only 10% of the population, from a buisiness aspect I'm surprised at the options we DO have.
A voice of reason always seems to rise above the din of insanity. Out of the 10%, how many actually SHOOT left handed? And how many of that actually USE a left-handed rifle?
I have met innumerable people -- anecdotal information that's worth at least as much as any horseshit from Wikipedia -- who are genuinely left-handed without any opposite eye dominance and shoot right-handed because that's how they were taught. (Or in the case of a co-worker, because he didn't want to be "different" when he was growing up.) I had a former co-worker who was genuinely left-handed who would NOT buy anything left-handed, because he was concerned that his children be able to use or sell anything of his when he's gone. (He's also a dunce, but that's another matter.)
If a firearms manufacturer were to offer left-handed models of everything they make in otherwise right-handed configurations, there would be a LOT of guns sitting in warehouses and sold off for pennies on the dollar; i.e., tmitch's Steyr 6.5x55mm. When T/C still had an excellent custom shop, the old Fox Ridge Outfitters, they offered a "custom" Renegade muzzleloader variant, the Fox Ridge Outfitters Rifle. (A Renegade with better than average wood, single trigger, recoil pad, and sling swivels.) I bought one in late 1995 and decided to buy a second in late 1997. The second was numbered consecutively to the first. I asked FRO about this and they flat stated "Our left-handed guns don't sell well. We're planning on discontinuing them within the next year." Which they did as did their parent, T/C, within a couple of years of that.
I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass. And I'm all out of bubblegum.
Originally Posted by safariman
I do tend to fit in well wherever I go in person.
Originally Posted by Fireball2
The campfire is the most outside exposure I get. No TV, no newspaper.
please keep in mind that my previous post is in the spirit of open debate/discussion. not an attack on tmitch or anyone else... I'm not offended. And hopefully I do not offend no one else.
Take your lithium and calm down.
I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass. And I'm all out of bubblegum.
Originally Posted by safariman
I do tend to fit in well wherever I go in person.
Originally Posted by Fireball2
The campfire is the most outside exposure I get. No TV, no newspaper.
Left Handers = 10% of population Mixed Handers = ~20% ADA Severe disabilities = 12% ADA Non-severe disabilities = 7% LGBTQ = 5% to 6%
Numerically, Left handers are on par with the Severely disabled, and double the LGBTQ population. If you include Mixed Handers, people who switch hands based on the task (in the case of shooters, think cross eye dominant, blind in dominant eye, shoulder injury) the potential left hand population eclipses all ADA and LGBTQ populations combined. However, there is no legal requirement for "accommodation" of the left hand population.
Myself and 30 million other Americans were born left handed. We did not "choose" to be left handed. From a purely numerical stand point, there are much smaller populations of people who receive legal protection because they were "born that way" than left handers.
If I want a LH SS M70 in .30-06, why should I have to pay 2x to 3x the cost of the same rifle in RH configuration, just to put the bolt on the opposite side of the receiver ? We don't tell restaurant patrons in wheel chairs that they have to pay 2x or 3x the menu price to cover the cost of the wheel chair ramp out front. We don't tell restaurant patrons in wheelchairs that they can only choose 20% of the available menu options. But that is essentially what happens to Left Hand firearms owners year in and year out.
Am I going to run out and hire Johnny Cochran ? No. But, the fact that Left Handers are not a legally recognized "protected class" does not mean that there is not discrimination...
nsaqam, My apologies in advance for derailing your thread...
Citations:
Not sure those examples are analogous at all. Making left handed rifles available is not the same as allowing wheelchair access. Not sure one could successfully suit and force Remington to make more left handed rifles. I do everything LH and am Left Eye dominate. never really has bothered me it is just the way it is. I kind of find it fun searching for what I want or building what I want in a rifle.
Out of the 10%, how many actually SHOOT left handed? And how many of that actually USE a left-handed rifle?
I have met innumerable people -- anecdotal information that's worth at least as much as any horseshit from Wikipedia -- who are genuinely left-handed without any opposite eye dominance and shoot right-handed because that's how they were taught. (Or in the case of a co-worker, because he didn't want to be "different" when he was growing up.) I had a former co-worker who was genuinely left-handed who would NOT buy anything left-handed, because he was concerned that his children be able to use or sell anything of his when he's gone. (He's also a dunce, but that's another matter.) ...
Two related, but different discussions: Economic vs equality... First, on the economic front, let me state that I have no expectation that Left Hand firearms will be a treasure trove of profit for the manufacturers. You have to produce what you can sell profitably. No profit, no business. Have run my own business for a number of years. I get it.
But chicken or egg ? Would there be more left handed shooters buying and shooting left handed rifles (greater market demand) if a greater selection of left handed firearms were readily available at parity or close to parity cost ? I am one of the guys you reference above that shot right hand rifles from the left side for 40 years because that was all I knew. Now that I know better, I would like to have the same opportunity to purchase the more unique rifles available to right handers without having to go the full custom route, or scrounging the internet for days/months waiting for one to come up for sale...
On the equality front, why does our society treat left handers as second rate citizens due to our unique handedness ? Why should your coworker above have been treated any differently as a kid for being left handed ? Versus tall, short, whatever ? Where is the "tolerance" for diversity among handedness ?
Originally Posted by Bricktop
Originally Posted by Orion2000
please keep in mind that my previous post is in the spirit of open debate/discussion. not an attack on tmitch or anyone else... I'm not offended. And hopefully I do not offend no one else.
Take your lithium and calm down.
LOL ! I have often had the same thought after reading many of your rants...
Out of the 10%, how many actually SHOOT left handed? And how many of that actually USE a left-handed rifle?
I have met innumerable people -- anecdotal information that's worth at least as much as any horseshit from Wikipedia -- who are genuinely left-handed without any opposite eye dominance and shoot right-handed because that's how they were taught. (Or in the case of a co-worker, because he didn't want to be "different" when he was growing up.) I had a former co-worker who was genuinely left-handed who would NOT buy anything left-handed, because he was concerned that his children be able to use or sell anything of his when he's gone. (He's also a dunce, but that's another matter.) ...
Two related, but different discussions: Economic vs equality... First, on the economic front, let me state that I have no expectation that Left Hand firearms will be a treasure trove of profit for the manufacturers. You have to produce what you can sell profitably. No profit, no business. Have run my own business for a number of years. I get it.
But chicken or egg ? Would there be more left handed shooters buying and shooting left handed rifles (greater market demand) if a greater selection of left handed firearms were readily available at parity or close to parity cost ? I am one of the guys you reference above that shot right hand rifles from the left side for 40 years because that was all I knew. Now that I know better, I would like to have the same opportunity to purchase the more unique rifles available to right handers without having to go the full custom route, or scrounging the internet for days/months waiting for one to come up for sale...
On the equality front, why does our society treat left handers as second rate citizens due to our unique handedness ? Why should your coworker above have been treated any differently as a kid for being left handed ? Versus tall, short, whatever ? Where is the "tolerance" for diversity among handedness ?
Originally Posted by Bricktop
Originally Posted by Orion2000
please keep in mind that my previous post is in the spirit of open debate/discussion. not an attack on tmitch or anyone else... I'm not offended. And hopefully I do not offend no one else.
Take your lithium and calm down.
LOL ! I have often had the same thought after reading many of your rants...
If there were really money to be made in making left-handed rifles, "Winchester" would be making them as opposed to bullshit like "their" bastardized Model '86, '92, '95, and now '73 replicas.
There's not any discrimination, there's not any vast conspiracy, it's simply a dollars and cents, risk versus reward equation.
Right now we have Ruger and Savage filling the gap in that department from a major manufacturer standpoint (and sometimes Remington and Sako) as well as smaller manufacturers like MRC, Forbes, and Cooper for a "reasonable" price. Twenty years ago we had Ruger and sometimes Remington, Sako, and Savage (Savage sort of SUCKED before their current iteration under Ron Coburn's leadership.)
Our choices are about as good as they're going to get. Learn to appreciate them.
I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass. And I'm all out of bubblegum.
Originally Posted by safariman
I do tend to fit in well wherever I go in person.
Originally Posted by Fireball2
The campfire is the most outside exposure I get. No TV, no newspaper.
If there were really money to be made in making left-handed rifles, "Winchester" would be making them as opposed to bullshit like "their" bastardized Model '86, '92, '95, and now '73 replicas. .... Our choices are about as good as they're going to get. Learn to appreciate them.
If I want a LH SS M70 in .30-06, why should I have to pay 2x to 3x the cost of the same rifle in RH configuration, just to put the bolt on the opposite side of the receiver ? We don't tell restaurant patrons in wheel chairs that they have to pay 2x or 3x the menu price to cover the cost of the wheel chair ramp out front. We don't tell restaurant patrons in wheelchairs that they can only choose 20% of the available menu options. But that is essentially what happens to Left Hand firearms owners year in and year out.
Am I going to run out and hire Johnny Cochran ? No. But, the fact that Left Handers are not a legally recognized "protected class" does not mean that there is not discrimination...
Johnny might of been a great attorney but doubt he can do you much good from his grave.
My biggest fear is when I die my wife will sell my guns for what I told her they cost.
If there were really money to be made in making left-handed rifles, "Winchester" would be making them as opposed to bullshit like "their" bastardized Model '86, '92, '95, and now '73 replicas.
Sad, but very true!
Charter Member Ancient order of the 1895 Winchester
"It's an insecure and petite man who demands all others like what he likes and dislike what he dislikes." szihn
Archery companies have been offering left-handed versions of every bow they make for decades. Why haven't they gone broke?
All parts are the same except for the risor which just takes a different CNC program. Before all bows were machined aluminum (when they were cast magnezeum) not all bows were available in left hand.
I've sold fishing equipment for may years and every year I watch the left handed reels end up on the closeout list in great quantity because they don't sell except in the Pacific NW but that's a whole different reason. 10% of the population may be left handed but 10% of the fishermen don't use left handed reels, same thing goes for rifle shooters.
I thought I was a pretty good left handed gun owner, I have an A-Bolt that I've rebarreled to 260, a stable of the new T-Bolts and a handful of Tikka's, one of which I've re-barreled to 257 Bob and some Blaser R93's and an R8, all left handed. But after I saw some of the rifles in this thread, I've decided I'm nothing but a minor leaguer. Wow! There is some incredible stuff here and I'm really glad you guys have taken the time to post photos. Thanks again.
Archery companies have been offering left-handed versions of every bow they make for decades. Why haven't they gone broke?
Not to beat this to death, or Fiddler, but in the mid '80s I was traveling through Nebraska and stopped at the Cabelas in Kearney and Sidney. I think at the time these were their only retail outlets. Perusing through their archery department I notice a large section of bows, possibly 100, all left handed and above them was a sign "All LH bows $50 each". According to the clerk they tried to carry a good selection of LH bows but found they just didn't sell fast enough to justify the overhead, so they were only going to stock a very few of the most popular models in common sizes in LH and special order the rest. I went home with a trunk full for family and coworkers.
Charter Member Ancient order of the 1895 Winchester
"It's an insecure and petite man who demands all others like what he likes and dislike what he dislikes." szihn
I once had a M700 LH long action 6.5 Rem Mag. with a factory barrel on it. I can't remember the lenght but I believe it was 24". A call to the factory verified the action started out as a 7mag but nothing more.
I have a Remington BDL LH in 338 WM. Only one I've seen.
doubt that they're rare, as I have one!
though mine didn't have the bolt lock on safety but had the slot for it, so I ordered an old safety lever from Brownells and installed it, it also resides in a McMillan, and a lot of the blue is worn off of it due to it was my main rig when I was guiding in SW Alaska.
sure enjoying this thread, but am hoping bea175 remembers me in his will and he has no LH heirs!
I'm pretty certain when we sing our anthem and mention the land of the free, the original intent didn't mean cell phones, food stamps and birth control.
In addition to the Mathieu 340 Wby, and a Sedgley Springfield, Steyr Model M, and several other obscure LH rifles, I just scored a commercial FN Mauser 98 '06 that was converted to LH by an unidentified gunsmith who definitely knew what he was doing. The rear receiver bridge was cut off, reversed and re-welded. It looks like it grew there. Excellent work. I had to have it. I haven't shot it yet but thinking about a 35 Whelen rebore.
Not sure how rare,but: 4-Savage LH LRPV- 2 in 20 Practical, 1 in 22-250, and 1 in 6mmBR. 2- Rem 700 LH FS(30-06 and 270), LH Win 70 Classic Stainless 300 Win Mag, 375 Classic Safari Express, 458Lott rebarrel of another 375 Safari Express, 2- MRI Mountain Eagle (375 and 270). I was surprised to see someone had the same Rem FSs and Mountain Eagles as me.
Dean
Almost forgot the LH Win 70 Fwt.7mm WSM.and the Rem 700 KS in 35 Whelen I got recently.
It used to be my only big game rifle. I saved hard for that one back when we were poor. I was able to talk Remington's custom shop into chambering one of their KS Mtn Rifles in 300 H&H and it was my first left handed rifle. I think it was in 1993 if I remember correctly.
It has taken lots of deer, a few elk, pronghorns and caribou. I carried it last season on a goat hunt but never saw one. It doesn't get as much play as it used to but it's one that will stay with me till I'm too old to go any more. And I plan on taking a moose on my own at 100. I'm 56 now.
Chronographs, bore scopes and pattern boards have broke a lot of hearts.
mart, thanks and great luck on that moose hunt!!!! At 68, I am planning one more elk hunt, then I think I'll be pretty much though with that.. Deer, antelope and birds will get most of my attention.. Best of luck, and enjoy your posts.. Think some of us mentioned you should write a book!! Have a good one..
My "rare" LH rifle is a McWhorter .338 in a McMillan stock. As with all McWhorter rifles, it is a wonderful gun in all respects.
What I think makes it "rare" is that is built on an Ed Brown action. I don't believe Brown is now doing long gun work. The action is smooth as a baby's behind.
If rare is defined as a factory configuration that was made in small numbers, then I probably do not have any. My MO is to buy a plain-Jane gun and then switch the stock, barrel, or both to create what I want. So most all my guns are one-off creations, but not "rare" in the strict sense.
I mean, how many Lh Mausers in 7x57 are Mannlichers with a maple stock?
I have a Kimber of Oregon Custom Classic model 22 and an Anschutz 54MS.
NRA LIfe Member, Colt, Sig, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armorer, NYBIN , NYPD Firearms Examiner, Serial Number Restoration, Cerakote, Gunkote, and Duracoat finishes
Some years back I decided that I wanted a left hand flintlock so I built one.
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"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." Thomas Jefferson, 1776
Mossberg L43 with the LH Lyman 57 sight and the LH Mossberg L6C scope and mount. They made about ~230 of the rifles but the scope and mounts are extremely rare.
The limited run Ruger Hawkeye SS .308- Didn't keep it as such. Turned it into a .260. So, it's even more "rare". But, it has moved on.
Krieghoff Big 5 500 NE LH- One of those guns bought just because I was younger and certainly not wiser, with no trips to Africa planned. Fun to say I owned and shot one though.
Kimber 84 .223- Not exceptionally accurate, but shot well. Beautiful stock though- had great figure with even some red and green coloration. The action always seemed kinda rattley and not real smooth. Great looking gun though.
Dakota 450 with a Bastogne stock that almost gave me cold sweats when I used it, for fear of messing it up. By far, the nicest wood of all Dakota's I have had.
Dakota .280 Ackley- Never did get the real story on this one, but from what a former employee said, it was a rebarrel, after the fact. It had a free floating Lilja, which wasn't really something the factory offered. Another beautiful stock as well.
But, now practicality has taken over, and most are stainless/composite working guns. Most rare could be a 280 Ackley Tikka T3, but that is a project rebarrel gun I did. So, can't really be considered "rare". BTW, the McMillan swirly is coming next week for that one- only about 8 week order time, instead of the quoted 3-4 months. It helps to pay the order in full when ordering.
I have a few that are not available anymore, on some of the most standard actions.
2 Rem LH 700 Stainless Laminate, one is a unique .270 that came from the factory with a barrel 2" longer than any other LH .270 they have offered before or since - was available for only a short time. The other is a 338 RUM. I thought I wouldn't shoot the 338 RUM that much since I did not want to brake it, and it's in standard sporter design so I only purchased 50 pieces of brass. Might be nice to pickup some additional 338 RUM brass as it's like hen's teeth. Funny thing is I bought this gun new because the dealer was discounting it so heavily I offerred $50 less than the sale price and they sold it to me. Not sure why the 338 RUM has been displaced by other 338 mega-kickers, but I like it.
Also the LH 788 - in both 6mm and .308. Not rare - but not seeing too many for sale anymore. The 788 reputation for accuracy is present on these 2 rifles.
Most unique would be one that has seen the fun-smith. Savage action, with a very nice, high figured custom walnut stock in 35 Whelen. It's a pretty one, just no pic at the moment, will try to edit in later.
Best shooting has also been to the fun-smith. A Ruger 77 Varmint. The 22-250 barrel was shot out on it when I purchased the gun, so I put a 26" 250 Savage AI heavy barrel on it. Shoots really well through 300 yards so far. Looking forward to setting up ranges up to 800-1000 this summer to see what it can do at ranges longer than I have ever shot before.
2 LH Zastavas in 7x57 and 9.3x62 2 SS Ruger MK IIs in 7x57 and 9.3x62 2 M70 Classics in 06 and 300 win mag
Not sure what to do with the M70s. Thinking a 300 H&H and 400 H&H. Or maybe a 300 win mag and a 416 rem mag. or a 338-06 and a 416 taylor. Those are the ones which really make me want to do something.
I have (maybe too) many rare LH rifles! I include both LH bolts and LH cheek pieces as qualifying. I don't have time for pics so here are a few verbal descriptions:
- a J. Jongmans, manufactured 1982 in New Zealand! 7mm-08. Rare as a unicorn there and here. Reportedly a total of less than 500 rifles were forged by this custom builder, with the number of LH actions unknown. Almost all are still in New Zealand and Australia. Octagonal receiver and barrel, tang safety; - a RH Sako Vixen 22-250 in a factory LH stock; - a HVA true LH in 25-06 factory barrel. Found in a middle-of-nowhere MT gunshop; - a M1903 Mannlicher Schoenauer in factory Vienna LH stock and claw-mount scope, with a sequentially matching RH version provenanced to an Austrian Countess; - a Winchester M70 Classic rebarreled to 338-06 Lilja in a take-down configuration, with a second 25-06 barrel/forend built for it.
I think I'd be bored if I was a RH shooter. It is much more fun searching the world for the unicorns of the LH rifle world!
I couldn't sell the pair or the take-down, but if anybody is intrigued by the others, let me know.
I have (maybe too) many rare LH rifles! I include both LH bolts and LH cheek pieces as qualifying. I don't have time for pics so here are a few verbal descriptions:
- a J. Jongmans, manufactured 1982 in New Zealand! 7mm-08. Rare as a unicorn there and here. Reportedly a total of less than 500 rifles were forged by this custom builder, with the number of LH actions unknown. Almost all are still in New Zealand and Australia. Octagonal receiver and barrel, tang safety; - a RH Sako Vixen 22-250 in a factory LH stock; - a HVA true LH in 25-06 factory barrel. Found in a middle-of-nowhere MT gunshop; - a M1903 Mannlicher Schoenauer in factory Vienna LH stock and claw-mount scope, with a sequentially matching RH version provenanced to an Austrian Countess; - a Winchester M70 Classic rebarreled to 338-06 Lilja in a take-down configuration, with a second 25-06 barrel/forend built for it.
I think I'd be bored if I was a RH shooter. It is much more fun searching the world for the unicorns of the LH rifle world!
I couldn't sell the pair or the take-down, but if anybody is intrigued by the others, let me know.
-
I'd love to see a photo of your New Zealand built 7mm-08
I guess that would be my lefthanded 788 remmy in 6mm. the one I just bought is fairly rare Remington 700 cdl with brake in 300rum. you don't see many of them.
I have (maybe too) many rare LH rifles! I include both LH bolts and LH cheek pieces as qualifying. I don't have time for pics so here are a few verbal descriptions:
- a J. Jongmans, manufactured 1982 in New Zealand! 7mm-08. Rare as a unicorn there and here. Reportedly a total of less than 500 rifles were forged by this custom builder, with the number of LH actions unknown. Almost all are still in New Zealand and Australia. Octagonal receiver and barrel, tang safety; - a RH Sako Vixen 22-250 in a factory LH stock; - a HVA true LH in 25-06 factory barrel. Found in a middle-of-nowhere MT gunshop; - a M1903 Mannlicher Schoenauer in factory Vienna LH stock and claw-mount scope, with a sequentially matching RH version provenanced to an Austrian Countess; - a Winchester M70 Classic rebarreled to 338-06 Lilja in a take-down configuration, with a second 25-06 barrel/forend built for it.
I think I'd be bored if I was a RH shooter. It is much more fun searching the world for the unicorns of the LH rifle world!
I couldn't sell the pair or the take-down, but if anybody is intrigued by the others, let me know.
I'd love to see a photo of your New Zealand built 7mm-08
+1 ... Would also love to see pics of the HVA and Win take down set.
After reading all the way through this thread, I have concluded that I own one LH rifle which appears to be truly unique: A Ruger Hawkeye, originally in 7mm Remington Magnum, now rebored and rechambered to .358 Norma Magnum. Sort of a modern day version of my .350 Rigby Magnum.
I have yet to hunt with it, but I am satisfied that it will do anything the .35 Whelen can do, and more. Almost in the class of my .350 G&H Magnum.
After reading all the way through this thread, I have concluded that I own one LH rifle which appears to be truly unique: A Ruger Hawkeye, originally in 7mm Remington Magnum, now rebored and rechambered to .358 Norma Magnum. Sort of a modern day version of my .350 Rigby Magnum.
I have yet to hunt with it, but I am satisfied that it will do anything the .35 Whelen can do, and more. Almost in the class of my .350 G&H Magnum.
Had a LH Sako 358 NM and it gives you a good solid 200 fps over my 35 Whelen, it should have been at least as popular as the 338 WM and 375 H&H. Maybe if it wasn't a European round it would have done better here. Great round for sure.
Got a LH Carl Gustav in 25-06. Bought for my wife 15 years or so ago but she hasn't really hunted it. I'm thinking of taking it out this year even though it's "wrong" handed for me!
I have a Kimber of Oregon LH model 84 in 6x47 (.222 mag necked up to 6mm) with a fiberglass stock painted like the rifle in one of the first posts in this thread. At first I thought they might be the same rifle, but I think that one is a matt and the blue on mine os glossy.. but it could have been: that post was from 2013 and I bought mine around 2016. A very great many interesting left-hand rifles have been posted and discussed here. I think my other rarest rifles are once again from Kimber of Oregon: two Model 82 Classic rifles in .22lr and .22 Hornet; and two Model 84 Classic rifles in .17 Rem. and .222 Rem.
Thank you for the interesting post, and lot's of great LH guns mentioned. I have a few to mention, that might be better described as black sheep, but somewhat unique in their own way.
First - what has become a custom gun, I have a LH Ruger 77 heavey barrel, that I made a poor purchase of a worn out 22-250. I had a Shilen barrel put on it chambered in 250 Ackley. I really like this gun, and it shoots well.
I have a couple of 700 Rem LSS guns that I guess are now somewhat rare for different reasons. The 338 RUM, they just don't make guns in that chambering at all. Chances of me shooting out the barrel in this lightweight sporting rifle, in 338 RUM are next to 0. It's a thumper. Shoots and groups great. One has to be very aware of proper shooting form to pull the trigger on this one. It's always puzzled my how the 338 RUM went the way of the dodo bird, and the 338 Lapua was introduced later, and is comparatively established. Good thing I have 150 pieces of brass for this one. Brass is getting hard to find, thankfully I'm not looking for more.
The other LSS is rare in another way. I have a LH .270 700 LSS that is factory barrelled with a 26" barrel. Everything I've ever seen written is the LH LSS 700's all came with 24" barrels, I don't know how, why, or what the story is, but it is absolutely factory 26" barrel on a 700 LH LSS .270. How? I just dunno. Great shooting gun, I hunt with this one more than most of my others. Well, more than any other than my 7 Rem Mag Savage with Bishop stock, love that gun.
I also have a Savage 110 35 Whelen that is built with a shouldered barrel. Someone else had a gunsmith build it, I purchased it used - as I was going to build a 35 Whelen on a savage action anyway, and this one was less expensive than building one plus a nice piece of walnut stock already there. I would have never put a shouldered barrel on a Savage action, but someone did. I have some stock work to do on this one to get it shooting well. The barrel is not free floated, and it shoots like it. IMO, really poor accuracy, with reasons for that lack of accuracy. Not fond of the pressed in Oak leaf checking on the stock, but I guess it's unique.
Again, not so rare in it's day, but seems to be more rare now - 2 different savages with Bishop Stocks, (I really like the Bishop Stocks), one in 300 Win Mag that had the area in the barrel half way down that is larger diameter than the barrel before or after. Not sure what it's called. The unfortunate thing is the chamber is in poor condition. I'm thinking to have a smith custom build a replacement barrel for this one to revive it. Basically this 300 Win Mag was a basket case when I bought it, and I paid basket case price. But I like Bishop stocks on my savages so well I end up having a hard time walking away from any Bishop stock on a LH Savage action.
Others have mentioned them, so I'll list them too, Rem 788, both the 6mm - which shoots lights out, and the .308 - which I have not shot. Would love to rebuild with glass stocks, but that might be difficult to find.
Last one to mention, again mostly because no longer available, with no hope of resurrection, is a Winchester 70 LH blued on wood, with BOSS in 7 Rem Mag. Probably the most common in LH model 70 offerings. In most every way it is a poorly fitted gun, that I had to have smith fix several items that should never have gotten through QC, but in it's own way, it's a great gun to carry in the woods. Shoots like a Winchester, which means good luck- accuracy is less than impressive, but good enough to hunt with.
Seems like just being left handed, means it's going to become rare at some time. When they do build them, seems like unless it's Savage, they don't build them for long. I have several other Savage LH guns, mostly stagger fee blind magazines. The Stagger feed seems like it was something that worked that got replaced with center feed that has no benefits? Other than making the stagger feed design obsolete.
Mine are nothing near what others have posted, but have some characteristics of being rare or unique in their own way.
If anyone has any information on how a Rem 700 LH LSS in .270 with 26" barrel was made, I would be interested in hearing what you have to offer. I've always wondered.
I recently put a deposit down on a Jongmans LH rifle in 223. The scope on it (8x56 Kahles) has been sent back to the factory for a refurb and don't expect to see the rifle for another 6-8 weeks. The rifles were made in NZ back in the 80's and there were never that many made. They were well made though and had nice NZ walnut stocks. The action is a 3 lug design and the small action is a petite little action, similar in size to a Sako L461. Perfect for a walkabout varminter.
The firm made a brief comeback about 10 years ago, setting up in Queensland, Australia. I recall seeing them displaying their actions at a local gun show in Melbourne. At that time they were producing huge actions to take 50BMG and various other cigar sized cartridges.
Over four months without a post; I figured (as I did with my prior post) I'd post something before this great thread falls further behind.
Since Anschutz won't make a LH 54 Sporter, I rolled my own...
One of a kind Anschutz 22LR that started out as a LH1907 Match action converted to a repeater by Mark Chesebro, who also re-barreled it with a Lilja/Sako P94S barrel that I index tested for accuracy before being fitted to the 1907. The barrel was threaded for the suppressor by the Hit or Miss Gunshop in Halifax PA.
I fitted the rare stock from an Anschutz LH 1732 (22 Hornet) and added a basket-weave Pachmayr Presentation butt pad; the same pad Cooper uses (not the pad shown below). The stock was refinished by Gostomski's Gun Shop.
The 5018 Match trigger (2 ounce) was replaced with a 5020 Sporter weight (12 ounce) trigger...Tom
Mossberg L43 with the LH Lyman 57 sight and the LH Mossberg L6C scope and mount. They made about ~230 of the rifles but the scope and mounts are extremely rare.
Mine is my MRC XAR that's going back to the factory for a refund. According to the rep they only made 50 of them and I don't know how many of the 50 were LH.
Right now my rarest LH rifle is an early '90s Win M70 SS/Walnut in .300WM.. I bought it new, circa '92.. It has less than 100 rounds down the bore.. I don't use it.. I need to sell it.. It might be on Gunbroker by early next week... Wish I had the original box, but like a moron I got rid of it... Dang.
Even though I'm LH I have used RH rifles all my life and a LH action is just really, really strange.. FWIW..
Ex- USN (SS) '66-'69 Pro-Constitution. LET'S GO BRANDON!!!
Redneck, do you reach over for the bolt or shoot right handed? I'm left eye dominant and made the switch to shooting left handed. Shot right handed when young but with rifles that kicked less and had lower combs. First time I tried that with a bolt action 30-06 with a higher comb, I didn't like it so much so made the switch. Always wanted a M70, but waited too long to easily find any LH classics in 30-06. So I ended up with a LH 300 WSM fwt which were easier to find after New Haven folded. One of these days I'll get around to mounting a scope and using it.
Probably my most common lefty rifle. 700 BDL in 7mm mag, tuned by Hill Country Rifles. It also has a Williams steel guard and floorplate that really makes for a nice upgrade over the Remington pot metal alloy. Bob
When I first started shooting there weren't any left handed rifles, so I ended up using lever actions. I'm envious of some of the rifles in this thread, one is the left hand Anschutz .22 back on page 9 of this thread, I've lusted after a left hand Anschutz with the Match 54 action for almost 30 years, ever since I saw the right hand version. The first left hand bolt action I saw was one of the real early Savage 110's, well it followed me home but it only stayed until I learnt (and could afford) a new Remington BDL in 270W (pretty rare back then).
Since then I've owned a few rare rifles, 3 Jongmans a Lightweight Hunter, it had the Octagonal action and a round barrel with a pretty plain stock, a Varmint model, Octagonal action with Octagonal barrel and a nice piece of English Walnut, the last was a round action with a stainless barrel in 6mm PPC, another New Zealand made rifle that is pretty hard to find now that I owned was a Bradley .22. It was the only left hand .22 that I ever saw, except for pictures in books. Eventually I found a L/H 581 Remington very accurate, far more accurate than the Bradley.
Over the years I've managed to own a few left had rifles, I'm always looking for them and sometimes the looking pays off, this was probably the rarest I've owned a Cooper 57M in 22WMR, Cooper was the only manufacturer that I've ever seen produce a left hand 22WMR
Sometimes while looking you come across rifles you'd just love to own but either finances or other factors got in the way, I have searched for years for a L/H KoO model 84, I missed out on this one, it was sold before I got my email away
And I could never find one of these for sale, a Dakota .22
I've seen a few right hand actions converted to left hand, like this wee Sako
I've always wanted a left hand Sako, and one of the luckiest finds I had was when someone looking for a left hand .22 had a left hand Sako M591 Battue for sale, a swap and a bit of cash and I then owned a Sako. The Battue seems to be pretty rare as I've never seen another L/H M591 Battue or Carbine for sale, but have seen a few Varmints and rifles with the longer barrels for sale.
It took quite sometime to find a left hand Cooper model 38 for sale (it only took 5 years of searching), this Jackson Varminter in .17 HeeBee turned up and I was quick enough. It now looks like the model 38 is no longer produced.
There are a few left handed rifles available now, far more than there was 30+ years ago, but even some of those that have been available have only stayed in production for so long and once out of production they seem to become very hard to find, the Browning 22 Hornet is one of those. I've seen mention of a left hand Anschutz in this thread but have never seen one for sale and I've been looking for a l/h bolt action rifle that is as petite as the hornet cartridge for quite some time.
One final pic is a Cooper Varmint Extreme that I managed to purchase some years ago while looking for the model 38
Recently I've been looking for a left hand 222, but there are only two manufacturers that I've heard of in left hand, the Sako 85 and the Schultz & Larsen Legacy, a Sako may come up for sale and the Schultz & Larsen is special order and pretty pricey in NZ $.
Months ago when I first saw this thread, I mentioned having a Jongmans from NZ in 7mm-08. It is likely the rarest LH rifle I own (especially in the U.S.) I've hunted it a little in Pronghorn weather (dry), but not enough to ding it up much. It has incredible design and craftsmanship (like the hand-built rings), is quite a shooter, and comports itself well. Nice to see there are other LH fans out there! Regards, GC
Presently I'm having no luck attaching a decent picture. I'll work on it. Try this: Jongman
LH Stainless Model 70 in 270 LH Kimber Model 82 Custom Classic in 22 Hornet LH Model 70 in 30/06 LH Model 70 in 375 H&H LH Kimber Model 82 Custom Classic in 22LR
As far as I am aware the LH Anschutz rifles in 22 Hornet that are seen very occasionally started life as Exemplar pistols in 22 Hornet. They had a LH action, however they were meant for RH pistol silhouette shooters. The pistols were a sales flop and a number were returned to Anschutz to be re-purposed. They were rebarrelled and offered as LH barrelled actions in 22 Hornet. The 22 Hornets were based on the 54 action and the 22LR Exemplar pistols were based on the 64 action.
I picked up a rifle in 22 Hornet that had been stocked. It’s a sweet action with a very light target trigger and a medium weight target barrel.
LH Win model 70 in 270wsm that has custom shop roll mark, 2002, supposedly for SHOT show and intro of the new wsms, (trying to confirm that with Browning/Win folks), Serial GWSM008. Now I need something to shoot.