The 788 was, is, and always will be a cheap budget rifle made with lots of shortcuts. They shot better than expected, but the same could be said of lots of current rifles. It was the 710/770 of years past. For all the negative claims about the 710/770 series, they shoot just fine, as does the 788.
The OP is left handed, and options, especially budget priced options for lefty's are few and far between. In this case, and at this price it is a good choice and I think it will work for him. Generally speaking the 788 is overpriced and over rated because of a small cult like following though.
One thing to be aware of. Magazines for these are the weak link. Many of these older rifles no longer have working magazines. Finding working mags for the 788, can be challenging, and quite expensive. It is quite possible to end up with an expensive bolt action single shot.