Being a certified south paw has it's handicaps not least of which is firearm selection. For longer range shooting , there are several options to handle the lefty. But my area of interest is in woods handling guns of deer capacity. Ideally I would like a pump action with a reversed safety. Pumps seem , to me anyway, to be the fastest second shot rifle available short of auto loaders , which are not allowed in Pa. But no gunsmiths seem to want to tackle the job of a left handed safety conversion. (possibly the liability upon resale) I'm open to any ideas , fresh thinking, or alternative plans.

Don't know why, my dad bought a Rem 742 once that had the safety reversed, and had obviously been used by a lefty, as indicated by the worn finish on the trigger guard.

He took it apart, and figured out how to reverse the safety, or bought a new one, I never dug into the details.

I'm sure the 76xx rifles have a similar arrangement, as would the Remington pump and semi-auto shotguns.

Might call Brownell's, they could probably point you in the right direction.

Good luck.

The latest issue of "Rifle" magazine has an article on the new Benelli's auto loading rifle. It has a similar safety, in that it is of the shotgun type in the front of the trigger guard that pushes to the side for on-off operation. The article says the safety may be reversed for left handed use. This may be possible with your safety, also.

Where at in Pennsylvania are you? I spoke to my father about this, since he just picked up a pump shotgun from a friend and needs to do this as well. I'll ask him where he plans to take it.

Where at in Pennsylvania are you? I spoke to my father about this, since he just picked up a pump shotgun from a friend and needs to do this as well. I'll ask him where he plans to take it.
Thanks for writing. I'm up in Erie, but to travel to a willing gunsmith would not be a problem.

Asianthug is right . you need an AK for deer hunting in Pennsylvania. It is so refreshing when someone lends their insight and experiences to assist. I grew up in Pennsylvania and we all hunt deer with AK's , CETEME'S , SKS'S , AR-15's , FN-FAL's. In fact i think their in the process of passing legislation that will allow only these types of rifles to be used during deer season. But none of this matters to you Ombesb , cause you see, everybody knows left handed people aren't allowed to hunt in Pennsylvania.

( wink,wink)

444fitch

Ombesb-

Have you considered a lever action? I'm a lefty as well and find the lever gun to be every bit as fast handling as a pump. With the lever gun you have more choice in the cartridge department as well plus many of these rifles can be had in short handy barrel lenths.

Kevin
Nova Scotia

I'm a lefty, and I've been shooting for over forty years. Yes, the manufacturers tend to frown on us some. BUT, here are several things with which I have had GREAT success over the years. M1 Garand, Ithaca 37 Pump 12 guage, 1911 (did you know that Browning was left handed?) - the 1911 is a super hand gun for lefties if you know how to do it, a Ruger Red Label (over/under), LC Smith 16 ga side by, several lever actions, a Rem 700 LH in 7 mag, a Rem 700 LH in .308, a LH Browning T-bolt. I think the Browning BPS is a botton load/eject like the Ithaca 37, isn't it? Or how about ANY single bbl shotgun or rifle? btw, I have a LH safety on my Ithaca and a Berreta handgun and an ambidexterous on a 1911 (although a lefty really doesn't need it on a 1911).

Sooo, even though there may not be as many selections (don't forget to look at the Savages), you can search around and find something really special. Just this past year we did a project putting a left hand stock on a Miller single shot. With a straight stock it would be completely ambidexterous, and talk about a tack driver! Why not a Ruger No 1? Point is, you've got choices.

One thing about using RH firearms with an ejection port on the sight side, a lefty can very easily look directly into the mag well and chamber without having to turn the gun over or look over the top to the other side. This is certainly a safety advantage. I shoot alot of military bolt matches, and from the bench, I see this as an ADVANTAGE! My 03 Sporter (with its RH bolt) is one of my all time favorite rifles. I also shoot high power with an 03. Even during rapid fire stages, I have adequate time. sundog

Any single-action revolver is easier to load/unload if you're left handed.

Personally - after having had to take a few left-handed shots in the field with right-handed bolt guns, I don't think it's a huge problem IF you don't let it get to you.

Unless eye problems prevent it, not a bad idea to practice from the 'weak' side once in a while. You never know....

Lever gun would be my solution also. Good luck in finding something that suits you and makes you happy.

Any single-action revolver is easier to load/unload if you're left handed.

Personally - after having had to take a few left-handed shots in the field with right-handed bolt guns, I don't think it's a huge problem IF you don't let it get to you.

Unless eye problems prevent it, not a bad idea to practice from the 'weak' side once in a while. You never know....

Lever gun would be my solution also. Good luck in finding something that suits you and makes you happy.

Well of all things I found a gunsmith that will convert my 760 to left handed safety. Has done it lots of times. This is a good sign.

Being a certified south paw has it's handicaps not least of which is firearm selection. For longer range shooting , there are several options to handle the lefty. But my area of interest is in woods handling guns of deer capacity. Ideally I would like a pump action with a reversed safety. Pumps seem , to me anyway, to be the fastest second shot rifle available short of auto loaders , which are not allowed in Pa. But no gunsmiths seem to want to tackle the job of a left handed safety conversion. (possibly the liability upon resale) I'm open to any ideas , fresh thinking, or alternative plans.

Don't worry about the second shot.

Thompson Center makes a beautiful single shot brake-open,
that works for either right or left. Also H&R makes a cheaper rifle based on the same principal.

I've got a .223 H&R that is a tack driver, with the scope mounts and hammer spur that adjusts to r/l is was $225.00
Both are made in all calibers.

Remember, with no action, the gun is much shorter and easier to carry in the woods. Down where I hunt, they are getting more and more popular.
Good luck