Fieldcraft how many lefties use a RH bolt rifle

[ranger1183]

Re: how many lefties use a RH bolt rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RGB820</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm right handed but shoot lefty,must be the eye thing. anyone know of a lefty thumb stock for a right handed gun? </div></div>

I think that AICS <span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">might</span></span> fit that bill, but you'd have to do an actual hands on to verify that.

 

[RGB820]

Re: how many lefties use a RH bolt rifle

i was at Wade's gun shop yesterday and the bell & carlson a5 works/feels super good and the ai was nice but more then i want to pay

 

[irishshooter]

Re: how many lefties use a RH bolt rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RGB820</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm right handed but shoot lefty,must be the eye thing. anyone know of a lefty thumb stock for a right handed gun? </div></div>
the stock you see here was brought in from the states, left hand thumbhole, right hand bolt, we had to do a tonne of work to the cheekpiece to get it perfect but its an awesome fit now, I will ask my friend where exactly he bought it as I only did the work to it.

a close up

 

[irishshooter]

Re: how many lefties use a RH bolt rifle

im left handed myself but shoot right side, I would draw my sidearm left side though

us leftys are strange fish

 

[Sharpshooter]

Re: how many lefties use a RH bolt rifle

I have never owned a LH gun thought about it , but it is easier and cheaper to just use a RH gun for me. In the last several years I have been shooting gas guns more so that makes it even more so unimportant to me. My AR is nearly as accurate as many high end bolt guns are. I keep planning on building an AR 10 but with my wife sick it is probably not going to get done anytime soon. I have looked at a few LH guns but I can not stomach the extra cost although I am certain it would be more natural for me than but I am comfortable with a rh bolt gun.

 

[firefighter6co6]

Re: how many lefties use a RH bolt rifle

Stick with a RH firearm as you will find more of a selection out there, I own 1 LH rifle for hunting and it's the cheapest gun i own.

 

[Cuckler]

Im a lefty also, shot both righty and lefty, do most things ambi except for writing... I switched to lefty bolt guns. I like being able to maintain contact with my reAr bag for my right hand while prone. I felt like when i was shooting a right handed gun i would spend a couple of seconds getting back into position after each shot- was shifting around a lot. As soon i switched to a lefty the shifting around stopped. It just feels more natural.
I also prefer keeping my data book/ stage notes on my right side, feels like its easier to see since you face is on he right side.

 

[Hairball]

I am cross dominate as well (right hand/left eye); however, I do things just a bit different. I can shoot pistol right or left but with rifles it depends on the setup. If a rifle/shotgun has a scope I shoot it right handed, if no optical device is attached I shoot it left handed. Might sound strange but it works for me.

 

[Genin]

I'm a lefty and actually don't like LH bolts, not sure why, just the way it is for me. I owned a very nice one for years and decided it wasn't for me. I prefer keeping my hand on the grip while working the action, similar to every other firearm I own. For me a bolt action is not a fast fire instrument, I'm going for accurate hits. If I want fast hits I'll use my semi-autos. I mostly use my bolt action from a supported set-up position, ie. prone, using tree as rest, random object, etc. Even shooting unsupported I can still keep the rifle locked into my left shoulder pocket and cycle with my right hand pretty easily (this of course is a worse case scenario....holding a heavy tac rifle unsupported). The sight picture wobbles slightly but doesn't affect me getting right back on target. Just my experience and preference.

 

[kengel2]

I use left handed long guns, pistols are whatever.

 

[G14]

I shot my bolt action rifles left, AR15 right, and pistol right (using my left eye). I'm jacked!

 

[mission_fail]

Damn that was an epic bump. I shoot right handed bolt guns and am left handed. For close range engagement drills <200 yds you can cycle the bolt faster than a right handed shooter by keeping your right hand on the bolt handle.

 

[rpk762]

I am left handed and try to use left handed bolts where ever I can. Shooting PD is different but hunting left all the way. lol that almost sounded political.

 

[kytrapper]

The draw-back in trying to shoot a right handed bolt from the left shoulder will be obvious under the following circumstances:

If you are taking multiple accurate shots under close time constraints from a slung position

or

if you are trying to engage multiple game animals in the same field sequentially

or

trying to place a quick follow up to stop your quarry before it runs over the wrong side of the Mountain.....


Punching paper or hitting inanimate targets with plenty of time it is a non issue............trying to fill your freezer then delays caused by repositioning the weapon or your grip to manipulate the bolt could equal missed meat.


No expert but have some experience...............Good Luck >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[tackleberry2000]

Right handed, left eye dominate here too. I've tried left hand rifles and they just feel to weird for me. But the up side is having muscle memory in both trigger fingers now.

 

[vegasjeepguy]

I do damn near everything left handed...including shooting my 700 AAC SD

 

[Name Enough]

I am an idiot right handed and do everything left handed. I swear sometimes I think Browning was left handed. My hunting rifles are LH action but I can shoot off a bag or bipod very comfortably with a RH action.

 

[tobedell]

Grew up right handed, left eye dominant. Shot rifle and pool lefty, pistol righty (always closing my left eye). Got to LE and decided I had to shoot pistol both eyes open, what an ordeal (headaches, blurred and sometimes double vision) payed off though, peeking around cover I can go either way. Always cycle my bolt gun righty, never tried reaching over the top. Having an advantage prone, with scope dials and bolt access for your support hand is something I don't take for granted. Not to mention going from primary to secondary with a AR, the changeover is easier.

 

[mrbungle]

i am a righty that shoots lefty. i think a left handed bolt gun would confuse the hell out of me. i do own a stagg lefty ar, i love that gun. but for bolt actions i will just stick to righties....

 

[218bee]

My son is just now learning to shoot and he's a lefty. We went trap shooting for the first time and he used a Browning single shot. I want to get him a Rem. 1100 to ease recoil (only 13 years old) but lefty 1100's are pricey...

 

[axeeclipse]

I am right handed and i prefer to use left handed bolt actions. Never have to release my grip So if i were left handed, I would be living in a better world with all the RH availability lol

 

[Garvey]

Left handed, left eyed, left hand bolt.

Shooting prone, with a rear bag, the right hand is positioning the rifle. When cycling the right hand can stay where it is, you can maintain sight picture, cycle the bolt with the left hand, and fire again, very quickly. As mentioned; shooting unsupported the sling and right hand are bearing the load of the rifle (15 pounds in my case) it is very cumbersome to make the left hand bear the load of the rifle, at the grip, so the right hand can cycle the bolt. On a tripod or fixed object it isn't quite as difficult, on a bench with a front rest of some kind cycling a right hand bolt can be very fast, but regaining a position and sight picture can take a while if using a rear bag.

My first bolt action was right handed, my second bolt action was right handed. Then I became a member of this site, learned volumes of information of how to shoot precision rifle, and I have since sold all of my right handed bolt actions. I will not buy another one for myself. However, my semi-auto shotgun, my pump shotgun, and my AR 15 are all right handed and I've developed muscle memory of all of them. So if I were to change them to left handers it would probably cause me to relearn how to effectively and efficiently use them.

 

[zenghost]

Am left-handed, left-eye dominant. Shoot AR and pistol left-handed - no issues. No accommodations aside from ambi-safety to ARs, which works well for me though it is not absolutely necessary.

Precision rifle is a different beast in my experience. I owned a RH Rem 700 and worked that way for a bit. It is OK, but not optimal even from prone.

Just purchased a lefty AI AW and found out what I was missing (aside from money). I much prefer the lefty bolt even for prone. The claims from right-handers that lefties have an advantage with a RH bolt-gun is in direct opposition to my experience, which, granted, is limited compared to many of the more experienced shooters on this board. Who cares if you have to come off the grip/fire-control to run the bolt? It beats the heck out of pulling your support hand from your bag, which to me disturbs your positioning more, and necessitates your hand having to travel much further to even get to the bolt. Positional/sling shooting should be even more apparent as to the advantages of a LH bolt-gun for a lefty.

I was actually a tad concerned about switching from a RH bolt to a LH bolt due to "muscle memory," but it was the most intuitive thing as the bolt is right where it needs to be for a lefty on a LH bolt-gun. Now when I practice support side shooting, it reminds me that I made the right decision to get a LH bolt-gun.

At the very least try both in various positions if at all possible. Heck, even going through the motions without the actual rifles will give you some concept.

 

[Changed]

Like many others have said, I'm a left eye dom. righty. I draw a pistol righty, cross over to my left eye. I throw a rifle or shotgun up lefty (when I don't think about it). When prone or on the bench I will shoot righty until I feel my eye fatigue and, then I'll switch. All of my firearms are righty.

Chip

 

[JSTARSZ]

Like many others have said, I'm a left eye dom. righty. I draw a pistol righty, cross over to my left eye. I throw a rifle or shotgun up lefty (when I don't think about it). When prone or on the bench I will shoot righty until I feel my eye fatigue and, then I'll switch. All of my firearms are righty.

Chip

The exact same way for me. I never thought about it as I remember picking up a M-16 at basic training and automatically going to my left side and never changed as I was left eye dominant.

 

[Changed]

The exact same way for me. I never thought about it as I remember picking up a M-16 at basic training and automatically going to my left side and never changed as I was left eye dominant.

It irritates the hell out some people. I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm fully ambidextrous, but I can shoot about as good left or right.

No question about it though, if I had to use an AR in a urgent situation I would be slung up lefty.

Chip

 

[Wolfrandal]

I shoot lefty in RH rifles. I have shot A5, AI, and Sentinels stocks. Those have worked for me. I have wanted a LH rifle forever, but can't seem to ever get my hands on one. Funny thing is I am right handed, shoot rifles left, handguns both, pool left, bat right, kick left. My body can't seem to make up its mind.

 

[wilecoyote]

until you won't use 1907 sling on a rh b/a, hoping to activate his bolt, even as lefty you are ok_
actually I'm playin'smallbore prone on a rh single-shot rifle with the stock modified for lh, rolling around like a stranded fish and trying to don't hang myself_ It's a miserable show but, on the posive side, I must admit that that push me to the effort of regaining (quite different from maintaing) the position after every shot : training-wise , that can be a motivated effort_ I hope _
Beside that, as correctly stated above, " it irritates the hell out some people" : perfect _

 

[JSTARSZ]

With all the receivers out there that can be made left handed there is really is no need to have a RH rifle that you shoot left handed. Shooting goofy, as I call it, is ok if you are on the ground; however, if you have to hunt that way and have to reach over the barrel to grab the bolt to put in a new round it is very difficult as you typically lose sight picture and it is a very clunky way of working. Do yourself a favor and get a left handed rifle from the start and it will feel that much better.

 

[zenghost]

As an aside to the topic, Pat McNamara mentioned something I found interesting during a class last year. He mentioned at some point he was involved in running or assisting in running the "operator training course" for their unit. Upon arrival of new members, they determined which eye was their dominant eye and from that point on, the side of the dominant eye was considered the shooter's primary or strong side for running weapons. In other words, if you were shooting primarily right-handed and were found to be left-eye dominant, you then became a "lefty" shooter - whether you liked it or not.

 

[rdinak]

I have two GAP rifles in the safe. A left hand built by Eric and a right hand. I am Right handed, left eye dominant... and grew up shooting right hand guns until one day i tried a left hand rifle. Off the bench there's little difference. I might even prefer the right hand action on the bench. When hunting and shooting in the real world, give me a left hand action.

I drove to George's shop and spent some time talking to Eric a few years ago. the left hand action he built me is just awesome. Every gun has a story.

 

[tminc]

stockys stock has them in several configurations

 

[Derek01]

I used to use RH bolt guns until I got a lefty. I was also a little concerned with the safety pressure relief holes blowing towards my face, especially for larger calibers. LH's for me are faster and smoother and I stay on target. Now I have switched all my bolt guns to LH. Semi-autos, AR's and shotguns I still use RH

 

[HogBoss]

Left-handed and right-eye dominant here. I shoot long range / tactical carbine right handed and pistol left-handed using my right eye.

Have you tried shooting right-handed? I've got the oddball cross-dominance thing going on so I end up mostly ambidextrous with shooting.

 

[Willyz_54]

Left handed/right eye dominant as well. I shoot everything from a bow to a rifle on down to a pistol right handed.

 

[Jedi]

To state the obvious
Dominate Hand has zip to do with what side you shoot from

Unless you wanna fight the way your visual cortex is wired, shoot from dominate eye side. Regardless of dominate hand.

Mostly i shoot lefties, thou AR wise i actually prefer being able to see into chamber
Match rig was Left bolt right port
Tac rig is lefty

For the wing shooters, correct fit with a shotgun is vital to hitting to target
The cast of a stock being a Critical element in that process, if your a lefty shooting a neutral stock (most US made guns are). Your not helping your cause
Cast ON is required for a lefty, Cast off for right, a neutral stock serves neither. It is strictly a choice that supports mass production, the palm swell being used to declare what hand its configured for. Want to improve your wing shooting get your stock fitted to you

 

[Aimsmall55]

I am a righty by nature. I bow hunt right handed, write right handed ect .. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SHOOTING RIFLES. every gun I own is right handed and if you put me on a lefty rig I'd be trying to bolt with my right hand guaranteed. I've been told I'm weird because of my right eye and left eye having the same capability to focus. Shooting my bow righty is bc I'm right arm dominant. But I can shoot a rifle right and left. Left feels more natural though...

 

[hognuts]

The draw-back in trying to shoot a right handed bolt from the left shoulder will be obvious under the following circumstances:

If you are taking multiple accurate shots under close time constraints from a slung position

or

if you are trying to engage multiple game animals in the same field sequentially

or

trying to place a quick follow up to stop your quarry before it runs over the wrong side of the Mountain.....


Punching paper or hitting inanimate targets with plenty of time it is a non issue............trying to fill your freezer then delays caused by repositioning the weapon or your grip to manipulate the bolt could equal missed meat.


No expert but have some experience...............Good Luck >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

^^^^^^This!!! I have had the same experience. I am left eye dominant but right handed. I have always shot a right hand bolt, left handed and it works well as long as you are not trying to do it "on the clock" in a match in positional (standing, kneeling, sitting, prone un-supported, hanging off a swing set in a jungle gym....you get the picture)

I always had to reach over the top of the rifle with my left hand and run the bolt then get back on target, where as when I have the bolt on the correct side of the weapon it is much easier to re-aquire the target for follow up shots.

 

[gaphighpower]

Grew up RIGHTY until my cataract surgery in right eye 13 yrs ago.

Really messed up my depth-o-field and focus in high power competitions.

Switched over to LEFTY ever since. Worked out OK since I was left eye dominant anyway.

Now it feels natural and easy, even shooting right handed guns, rifles, shotguns.

Toughest thing... Sling'n-up, rapid firing a 1903 in sitting/prone position. Picture crossing over the rifle with (left) trigger hand jacking a round in and getting back on the trigger - 10 times, plus one reload, in 60 secs :-(

Thank God Garand made the M1, and Stoner made the AR or I wouldn't be competing...

 

[TimeOnTarget]

I feel your pain!

I have several hot brass burn scars from my M4/M16 over the years...

 

[Nickmz]

I agree with AQC440 for the most part. I find it beneficial that I never have to let go of my grip while cycling the bolt which allows for a faster target acquisition and shot. the only area where running a right handed bolt as a lefty is a huge disadvantage is with almost all off handed shots. being slung up tight and holding up the rifle by the grip with the left hand can get a little tricky all while cycling the bolt. Fun times!

 

[565fitter]

I've always used one never even had the chance to shoot a lefty.

 

[MMAJunkie]

I think running a right bolt rifle left handed could almost be an advantage.
You never have to give up your grip to cycle the action.
Just my 2 cents

I shoot with my left eye and from my left shoulder and I have both left and right hand bolts. For years I just lived with it and shot only right hand bolts from my left side. Then as I got older and could afford it I started buying leftys. Now that I have both I swear I think I prefer right hand bolts. As mentioned above it allows me to cycle without removing the trigger hand AND maybe just as important it allows me to eject the fired case out in front of me on the bench instead of away from me as it does when I shoot a lefty.

 

[britishtq]

I'm left hand and left eye. All of my weapons are right handed but I adapt and shoot them all lefty. No problems.

 

[Ultraman550]

I'm left handed, right eye dominant but I shoot lefty guns (bolt, AR). Left bolt, left ejection. I tried the Right handed rifle but it sucked because I had to constantly remove my right hand to work the bolt which was stabilizing the butt stock. Every time I had to re-align my sight picture. It was in an AICS stock so the weight of the rear and the thumbhole position did not allow for me to easily keep the rifle steady with my left hand by only holding onto the thumb-hole. If I was shooting something much lighter it probably would have been night and day difference.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

My 17 y/o Granddaughter shoots with me, is a lefty, and understands the concept of eye dominance. She has chosen to shoot righty. She says it's so she can shoot nearly all rifles.

Once the muscle memory is up and running normally, she's a righty whenever she's operating a firearm.

When I was in 3rd grade, I received a pretty serious collection of fractures to my right hand; and it was in a cast so long, it required me to learn how to live life as a lefty for quite awhile. When the cast came off, I found that I was, to a moderate extent, ambidextrous. Most of that has worn off over nearly 60 years, but I still find myself doing things righty and/or lefty unconsciously. Baffles me, too. I guess some of that muscle memory stuck...

My older Brothers taught me a bit about boxing. They noticed I had a natural tendency to switch between left and right handed stances, and built on that. Sometimes I think that part was harder for them than it was for me. Later, when I did some formal intramural boxing in the Service, switching stances sometimes gave me a small edge.

It's not just about muscle memory, IMHO. There's something going on with me that I don't understand. I do the eye dominance test on myself, and sometimes it comes out I'm right eye dominant and sometimes it's left eye dominant. Beats me, but it also seems that maybe eye dominance is not a 'cast in concrete' constant. I do know that university researchers have used special glasses to flip images upside down, which also reverses the left/right eye configurations. After a day or two, the test subjects resumed their activities and reported they could see as normal. Once the glasses were removed, they reverted back to their original visual orientation in a fraction of the time it took to accommodate the special glasses. My conclusion is that eye dominance and visual orientation are learned things, and can be retrained and reoriented, maybe more easily than many think.

Being able to do that kind of reversion increases the number of opportunities available to the individual.

Greg

 

[2Charlie]

My wife and I both are lefties using right hand action. I've personally never even held a left hand action weapon. I think it would feel very foreign to me.

 

[Rancid Coolaid]

I'm right handed but shoot lefty,must be the eye thing. anyone know of a lefty thumb stock for a right handed gun?

Manners T5 with righty palm swell actually works great for shooting lefty too. I have big hands, didn't like the ambi palm swell, but shoot the righty swell fine lefty. Tom said it wasn't made to be so, but worked out that way in the end. Additionally, if you decide to buy a lefty gun, Manners will do a righty palm swell and a lefty bolt and it works awesome. I have a 40X lefty run in this configuration and like it.

The AICS stocks will work righty or lefty also, especially if you have tiny, girly hands. If you have man-sized hands, it probably won't be your favorite - voice of experience.

Be aware that many guns are built to, in the event of catastrophic failure, fail to the outboard side - away from the shooter's head. That becomes a pretty big problem when you are shooting a right-handed gun with your left hand - it then fails into the right side of your face. I've had it happen twice, both times could have been really bad but were not, but it'll damn sure get your attention.