best beginner rifle for lefty?
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Coyote_Buster700
New member
Savage Axis is a good rifle to start out with you'll like the price tag as well ($298 without a scope at my LGS). They are good accurate guns out of the box.
You might also try a Weatherby Vanguard, also good less expensive rifles out of the box.
You Might even try a Remington 700, wont be as cheap as the Axis but they are my choice over the other two.
If you get a bolt action rifle, right or left handedness doesn't matter so much because the hot brass won't come flying out in your face. Savage just came out with the the Left handed line of Axis rifles this year. Also Remington has a selection of left handers. As far as I Know Weatherby doesn't make a standard action Left handed rifle.
Edit* Didnt see the American Made until just now.
You might also try a Weatherby Vanguard, also good less expensive rifles out of the box.
You Might even try a Remington 700, wont be as cheap as the Axis but they are my choice over the other two.
If you get a bolt action rifle, right or left handedness doesn't matter so much because the hot brass won't come flying out in your face. Savage just came out with the the Left handed line of Axis rifles this year. Also Remington has a selection of left handers. As far as I Know Weatherby doesn't make a standard action Left handed rifle.
Edit* Didnt see the American Made until just now.
Major Dave (retired)
New member
Lefty bolt actions:
Remington Mod 700 BDL or CDL, Winchester Mod 70 (especially Featherweight), Savage, Browning, Ruger Model 77/Hawkeye/Gunsite Scout, Weatherby Mark V/Vanguard, for starters. High dollar models are available from Dakota, Kimber, Ultra Light, and numerous custom gun builders.
I don't know how ambidextrous lever action rifles are (Win Mod 94/94AE - no longer produced, but many available as used rifles), Marlin Model 336.
Single shot rifles are somewhat ambidextrous, I believe: Ruger Number One, Thompson Center Contender/Encore.
There may be other options - this is all I could think of off the top of my head.
I am a Lefty, too. I have a Win Mod 70 Classic Featherweight lefty in 270 WSM, and a DuBiel (custom) lefty bolt action in 7X57 Mauser. So, other than moose and brown bear, I'm good to go on the North American continent.
Remington Mod 700 BDL or CDL, Winchester Mod 70 (especially Featherweight), Savage, Browning, Ruger Model 77/Hawkeye/Gunsite Scout, Weatherby Mark V/Vanguard, for starters. High dollar models are available from Dakota, Kimber, Ultra Light, and numerous custom gun builders.
I don't know how ambidextrous lever action rifles are (Win Mod 94/94AE - no longer produced, but many available as used rifles), Marlin Model 336.
Single shot rifles are somewhat ambidextrous, I believe: Ruger Number One, Thompson Center Contender/Encore.
There may be other options - this is all I could think of off the top of my head.
I am a Lefty, too. I have a Win Mod 70 Classic Featherweight lefty in 270 WSM, and a DuBiel (custom) lefty bolt action in 7X57 Mauser. So, other than moose and brown bear, I'm good to go on the North American continent.
I'm going this afternoon, after work, to order a left-hand Savage Axis for a southpaw grandson. I've promised him a rifle and now's the time to get that done.
If someone wants to step up just a little from the entry-level rifles, Savage makes left-hand bolts, as does Remington and Ruger. They're not nearly as hard to find as they were twenty years ago.
It is true that the Winchester 94 series of rifles is almost perfectly ambidextrous. Lots of those on the used racks and just a little looking should find a good example.
If someone wants to step up just a little from the entry-level rifles, Savage makes left-hand bolts, as does Remington and Ruger. They're not nearly as hard to find as they were twenty years ago.
It is true that the Winchester 94 series of rifles is almost perfectly ambidextrous. Lots of those on the used racks and just a little looking should find a good example.
Coyote_Buster700
New member
Whinchester model 94 is a Lever action rifle, like PAWPAW said. But those will work too.
RangerHAAF
New member
Ruger #1
T-C Encore
Browning Shorttrac or Longtrac/ left-handed
AR-10
My favorites.
T-C Encore
Browning Shorttrac or Longtrac/ left-handed
AR-10
My favorites.
Achilles11B
New member
There are no 'left-handed' rifles. Left-handed shooters, however, can get used to any platform with a little practice. It took me a bit to get used to a 'right-handed' bolt-action rifle, but not too much, and now it's old hat. Buy the rifle you want to by based on price and performance, and just practice, practice, practice.
igousigloo
New member
If you are not hunting with the rifle then you do not need a left hand rifle. I am left handed and used to want everything I could get left handed. Then I found out if I am shooting from a bench at the range, I could shoot a right hand bolt and look right into the chamber. If I had a left hand bolt I had to stand and look over the barrel to see into the chamber. That is when I figured why Savage made a right bolt, left port for benchrest.
I've been told that the brass on my AR15 come within an inch of my face, friend offered to video it for me, I declined as I figured I don't flinch now, don't want to push it. When I use the .22 conversion I feel a lot of the burn on my face. Either one I don't flinch. I was wanting to get a mini 14 or 30 but think that ejection style throws it farther back.
I have a tikka t3 and find I enjoy shooting a right handed bolt action as a lefty.
I have a tikka t3 and find I enjoy shooting a right handed bolt action as a lefty.
Txhillbilly
New member
Savage,Browning,Remington,Ruger,and Tikka all make Left Hand rifles.I have 5 LH Savage rifles,22WMR,223,25/06,308,and 300WM.They are all great rifles.
I also have many RH rifles that I also shoot left handed,that's how I started shooting guns 40yrs ago.It's no problem shooting any of them,and I have several AR's and other Semi-auto rifle that are LH friendly to shoot.
Just find a rifle that fits you in your budget and enjoy shooting it,you'll figure out the easiest/fastest way to operate it on your own.
I also have many RH rifles that I also shoot left handed,that's how I started shooting guns 40yrs ago.It's no problem shooting any of them,and I have several AR's and other Semi-auto rifle that are LH friendly to shoot.
Just find a rifle that fits you in your budget and enjoy shooting it,you'll figure out the easiest/fastest way to operate it on your own.
I am left handed and I started on righthanded boltactions. Leftys can adapt, but I must say I have always been very fond of leveractions because they are usually very friendly for the lefty.
I have never like lefthand boltactions, but maybe that is because I learned on a righthanded Swedish Mauser, then progressed to a Right handed Remington 700, and learned to like being able to see the ejection port on right handed guns, instead of having to roll the gun over to see. But leveractions for rifles and side by sides for shotguns have long been my favorites, because they are not slanted towards the righthanded majority, so much.
I have never like lefthand boltactions, but maybe that is because I learned on a righthanded Swedish Mauser, then progressed to a Right handed Remington 700, and learned to like being able to see the ejection port on right handed guns, instead of having to roll the gun over to see. But leveractions for rifles and side by sides for shotguns have long been my favorites, because they are not slanted towards the righthanded majority, so much.
customaquatics
New member
i bought my Savage 93R17GLV left handed an was the best thing i ever bought.
I shoot long guns lefthanded and I'll tell you it's generally easier to skip bolt-action guns unless you want to seek out a lefty version. You can use a righty bolt gun but it's annoying to reach over everytime and if it has an optic it can be a real pain. (Plus, it is often going to have significantly lower resale value because it's a much smaller market.)
I would advice you to look into either semiauto, leveraction or pump (but not really) action rifles.
If you go semiauto look for something with the charging handle on the right or in the middle. (On H&K style rifles you'll have to reach over.) Magazine releases aren't usually a big deal. Most push-button releases will be best done with you thumb of the support hand during the mag change. In my experience a big thing to look for is the safety lever. Even if you don't use it, be certain it's not in a position that will interefere with your grip. (For example the FAL safety digs into my hand when in the OFF position.)
Lever guns actually seem easier for alot of lefthanded people than they are for righthanded people. The action (the lever) is in the middle so it makes no difference. The loading is usually from the top and makes no difference either. If it can be loaded from the side, like some Winchesters, the port is on the right just like a shotgun. Which means you can use your support hand easier.
Pump actions are pretty ambidextrous but aren't very popular nowadays. However, they can be a good way to have high capacity magazines in places that don't allow high capacity semiautos. Muscle memory will be similar to that of a shotgun too, so it's easy to learn. They can be finicky from what I've heard though of the use a detachable box magazine.
Like I said, other than bolt actions, most guns work pretty well for lefthanded shooters. Mainly be aware of safeties and the charging handle and you shouldn't have any problems.
I would advice you to look into either semiauto, leveraction or pump (but not really) action rifles.
If you go semiauto look for something with the charging handle on the right or in the middle. (On H&K style rifles you'll have to reach over.) Magazine releases aren't usually a big deal. Most push-button releases will be best done with you thumb of the support hand during the mag change. In my experience a big thing to look for is the safety lever. Even if you don't use it, be certain it's not in a position that will interefere with your grip. (For example the FAL safety digs into my hand when in the OFF position.)
Lever guns actually seem easier for alot of lefthanded people than they are for righthanded people. The action (the lever) is in the middle so it makes no difference. The loading is usually from the top and makes no difference either. If it can be loaded from the side, like some Winchesters, the port is on the right just like a shotgun. Which means you can use your support hand easier.
Pump actions are pretty ambidextrous but aren't very popular nowadays. However, they can be a good way to have high capacity magazines in places that don't allow high capacity semiautos. Muscle memory will be similar to that of a shotgun too, so it's easy to learn. They can be finicky from what I've heard though of the use a detachable box magazine.
Like I said, other than bolt actions, most guns work pretty well for lefthanded shooters. Mainly be aware of safeties and the charging handle and you shouldn't have any problems.
I recommend an older used Rem 700L which you can pick up for under $400 from time to time.
Wrong handed bolts are more dangerous to shoot because of the position of the gas vent. I've owned both but now would never use a right handed bolt to shoot left handed.
Lever guns don't have as good triggers and pumps have no allure for me.
Wrong handed bolts are more dangerous to shoot because of the position of the gas vent. I've owned both but now would never use a right handed bolt to shoot left handed.
Lever guns don't have as good triggers and pumps have no allure for me.
Keep you eyes open for an older Savage model 99, a pre 64 Winchester Model 94, or an older Marlin 336 in 30-30 or 35 caliber. These all are lefty friendly classic American made rifles. They are time proven rifles that have killed more game than you can count. Learn the going value of each and with a little luck you can buy one or more of these rifles. Take good care of them and you will have a great hunting rifle and a solid investment! Seems like these rifles made in the 40s, 50s and early 60s have the quality and reputations to be perfect for your first, second, third rifles!
L_Killkenny
New member
Think .22lr. Most semi's and lever actions are ambidextrous but the safeties can be a pain.
LK
LK