Left Handed Shotgun Advice!!!

kaspar139 · August 1, 2002

Hey guys, as is kinda obvious, I am left-handed. I am shopping for a semi-auto shotgun that is also left-handed. Any thoughts on what is best of the following, or any others you might know of that ARE left-handed (or come in left-handed)?

I am looking at the following left handed models...:

Benelli Super Black Eagle ($1050, is a magnum)

Remington 11-87 ($650, not a magnum)

I am basically trying to justify the cost for quality of a Benelli over the Remington. Is a Benelli that good?

Thanks in advance.

SilveradoWV · August 1, 2002

I dont know, but the first thing I can think of is if I get a scratch on a $1000 dollar gun, its going to feel worse than getting one on a $600 gun, although that hurts too! Just depends on what you are going to use it for I guess, if its for show the more expensive will probably better a better investment! You get my message though! The remington should shoot pretty accurate, but I dont know about the performance difference between the 2!

kaspar139 · August 1, 2002

Yeah, I know what you're saying. I get pissy when I scratch my $200 pump!

The new gun will replace my Remington 870 as my upland/waterfowl gun.

I will use the pump for Turkey/Deer (which is rare for me to hunt deer with a shotgun).

tmk50 · August 1, 2002

My roomate bought a left handed 1187 two seasons ago - he really likes it, his only complaint being the weight of the gun compared to the Binelli. He complains about carrying it through some of the longer fields we hunt

kaspar139 · August 1, 2002

That is definitely a valid concern. I mean, you figure a goose hunt could last around 5 morning hours, a dove hunt (while you sit on your a$$ a bit) still can last 4 or 5 hours. Shoot, hunting most anything could last around 4+ hours! :inlove:

JonesNTN · August 2, 2002

Call me crazy, but I also shoot left handed. But I use right handed guns. I wear eye protection on automatics, but I really like using a pump better. Left hand guns are too hard to find and too damn expensive.

Freyguy · August 5, 2002

My grandpop is a leftie and shoots with a right handed gun. The only problem he has is the safety. I know a good gunsmith can reverse it, or you could buy a Beretta. They have reversable safetys.

I have an 11-87 and love it. It's given me a couple of problems, but nothing terrible. I have the 3.5" and it does just fine. It's not too fond of light target loads, but loves the heavy target loads. I too went from the 870. Feels different not pumping. Sometimes I shoot the 870 just to remember what it's like.

Shotgun · August 5, 2002

I am left handed and I have shot right handed auto Brownings all my life.The only thing that you need to do is wear shooting glasses so you don't get powder in your eyes.anther option is a bottom ejecting pump such as a Browning BPS or ithaca,,,I love them both.......Gun

DuckhunterInTN · August 6, 2002

If this will be your all around gun I would probably go with the benelli, because it is lighter. If you were just getting it for duck blind use I would get the 11-87. Honestly, however, if it were going to be a duck gun I would still want the benelli because you can get it in 3 1/2". My dad (right-handed) has a benelli and I like it, but don't shoot it much because I am left-handed. I shoot an 870 myself, but if I ever were to buy an automatic I would get a left-handed one for sure. The reason for this is because every time I shoot an automatic I end up with powder residue all over the right side of my face and usually in my eyes. Eye protection is nice but not always available. The reason this does not occur on a pump is because of the delayed reaction time of the bolt opening which allow the residue to settle and because the bolt opens with less force. If you get the benelli with a synthetic stock and dull finish scratches will not be much of a problem.

kennedycpa · August 6, 2002

I am pretty sure you can get the an 11-87 SuperMag that will handle the 3.5", Winchester also makes an X2, a friend has one and loves it. Personally I am a Remington guy when it comes to shotguns, but I am also a pump guy, you just can't beat a 870 and I can shoot it just as fast (with accuracy) as as any semi-auto. A pump is generally more reliable than an semi-auto, especially duck hunting, no ports to get filled with mud or freeze up if it is cold enough. With that said, I would go with a 11-87 SuperMag if I was going to buy a semi-auto, should be less expensive than the Benelli and if it is heavier, that will probably be a plus - duck or dove hunting you are usually sitting and not carrying and the extra weight will help tame the 3.5" if you use them for geese.

Shotgun · August 6, 2002

This arguement could go on forever.LOL....I would never own a left handed gun but hey thats me....I intend to pass all my guns along to my kids and grandkids one day...wouldn't want them to be stuck with an oddball gun...lol..Some people prefer the left handed guns,,I rather just shoot the right handed models.They are all good guns,,,Benelli is a fine wepon,,I love my Brownings though,,870 is a good gun and cheap,,If your 870 breaks u can go to wally world and get a new one for under 300 bucks.It all comes down to what you like and prefer...Gun

DuckhunterInTN · August 6, 2002

Kennedycpa,

They probably do make the 11-87 in Supermag, but not a LEFT-handed one. Benelli is the only company (at least that I know of) that makes a left-handed 31/2 inch..

Shotgun,

I shoot a right-handed 870 and have no problems with it at all. Every time I shoot an automatic I get residue in my eyes and all over my right shoulder. Shooting glasses are not always handy and I get tired of messing up shirts, so I won't shoot an auto that is not a left handed model. Therefore I do not shoot autos (I only shoot 870's ) because I don't own a left handed gun. I know some people, however that can shoot a right handed automatic and they never have any trouble with residue. Go figure.

kaspar139 · August 6, 2002

The only other thing about the left-handed versus right-handed autos, is I am left eye dominant. So, I don't want to be leaning across the stock when shooting. I shoot a right handed 870 now, and it is ok.

All good opinions.

I also don't want the residue all over my face and shoulder.

Another very good thought too is the whole heirloom idea. While I don't want my kids to have to receive a left handed Benelli, maybe God will bless me with a left-handed child

kaspar139 · August 7, 2002

I bought the left handed Benelli. It is a sight! Man that thing is loaded, comes with all the chokes, and a sweet hard case! Whew...now that's over...

Aight, now I need a left-handed child, anyone know where I can get one of those cheap ;)

DuckhunterInTN · August 8, 2002

I will be your son for free, if you give me the Benelli, or as we call them Bininni's. (The story behind that is that a few years ago one of our yuppie wanna-be duckhunter friends said that he was thinking about getting one of the new 3 1/2 inch guns. We asked which one he was considering and he said "One of them new Bininni's" Yeah. Riiiiight.)