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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Double Rifles
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Greener
.224 member


Reged: 01/04/07
Posts: 18
Loc: Europe
Left-hand doubles
      #75287 - 02/04/07 03:38 AM

Hello everyone!
After I have a look on the world gun market I was quite confused with
one thing almost all gunmakers offer left-handed gun at best with a
left-handed stock and trigger set but still with a right lever
opening. It’s no wonder that chip guns are made this way but even H&H
offer possibility of ordering all left-handed attributes apart from
left lever opening – meaning fully left-handed gun with right opening,
but why? Ordering the gun from H&H I and all customers for all the
time beginning from establishing of the company do not need to
compromise in any way, then why do they prefer left-handed guns with
right lever opening? My train of thought about this was next: all
right-handed guns have right lever opening because it’s more
comfortable (faster and safer) to handle the top lever with right
thumb, consequently, the left-lever opening is easier to handle with
left thumb. But now I have some doubt about what is better for
left-handed gun left or right lever opening?
What do you think about that?

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Pugwash
.300 member


Reged: 24/03/07
Posts: 113
Loc: Scotland,UK
Re: Left-hand doubles [Re: Greener]
      #75297 - 02/04/07 05:04 AM

Greener,
The reason that manufacturers like H&H dont produce guns with left hand opening levers is the cost and hassle.A special action machining would need to be made with the spindle and lever hole going in the opposite direction to normal.As this would be a one off action,rather than being made in a batch of say 25 as is normal,and the bolt would need to be made with the spindle connection the other way round,the cost would be pushed way above normal and the disruption to normal production make it not worthwhile.In saying that some of these guns do exist,but are very rare.

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JPK
.375 member


Reged: 31/08/04
Posts: 734
Loc: Chevy Chase, MD
Re: Left-hand doubles [Re: Pugwash]
      #75346 - 02/04/07 08:19 AM

I have seen many full left hand mirror image shotguns and a few rifles, including recently a matched pair of full left hand, including top lever, Dumoulins in 470 and 375H&H.

Searcy will make a mirror image full lefty action, BTW.

I am a lefty, and I prefer to push the lever with my left thumb to open the gun. Probably because most all of my SxS guns are righty guns stocked for a lefty. If I was comfortable with the idea of drawing the lever to open the gun, in the heat of battle with DG in front, I would own those Dumoulins. But, after countless rounds of rifle, and especially shotgun shooting, with right handed actions I am afraid that I would revert to old habits at the worst time.

I also prefer the right trigger in front, go figure.

JPK

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DM
.300 member


Reged: 12/02/07
Posts: 107
Loc: mid west USA
Re: Left-hand doubles [Re: JPK]
      #75349 - 02/04/07 08:42 AM

I'm with you JPK.. That's my preference too...

DM

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John
.300 member


Reged: 23/01/07
Posts: 114
Loc: Manitoba, Canada
Re: Left-hand doubles [Re: DM]
      #75351 - 02/04/07 09:18 AM

I have to fully agree with JPK. I am right handed but left eye dominate, so I do everything right handed except shoot a long gun. I learned to shoot on my Grandfather's Westly Richards SXS 12G despite the very annoying cast in the stock that favoured a right handed shooter. I will never reverse the controls on any firearm then when the s--- hits the fan and instincts take over, I am good with any standard gun. In fact with the M14, Sterling SMG and MAG58 I believe I have an advantage, but that is another story.

Based on my experience, I would recommend that a lefty does not reverse the controls but, at the very least, do look for a straight stock on a double rifle as the "fit" is vital.

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JPK
.375 member


Reged: 31/08/04
Posts: 734
Loc: Chevy Chase, MD
Re: Left-hand doubles [Re: John]
      #75368 - 02/04/07 04:28 PM

All you lefties,

I actually think pushing with your left thumb is an advantage over all those poor fellows who need to draw the top lever. It is faster, and you don't need to change your grip on the rifle or shotgun to reach over to draw.

Most stocks that don't have too much cast off or don't have extended, over the comb top tangs can be bent to accomodate a lefty, BTW.

JPK

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Greener
.224 member


Reged: 01/04/07
Posts: 18
Loc: Europe
Re: Left-hand doubles [Re: JPK]
      #75370 - 02/04/07 06:52 PM

Good morning guys!
I am glad to hear so many thoughts.
EVERY custom gunmaker produce left swinging top lever and H&H too.
Westley Richards offer convert their gun to left top lever movement! Its not a problem the question was why people buying H&H prefer right lever opening.

Quote:

All you lefties,

It is faster, and you don't need to change your grip on the rifle or shotgun to reach over to draw.

JPK



yes this is an advantage!!!
but right lever opening has one more serius advantage – possibility of reselling becaude I am not sure I shall be able to sell left winging rile ever

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Greener
.224 member


Reged: 01/04/07
Posts: 18
Loc: Europe
Re: Left-hand doubles [Re: Greener]
      #75434 - 03/04/07 06:09 PM

And one more question: has anyone ever seen twisted triggers for left hand double. Because I find it difficult to imagine it
I should be appreciate for a foto

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JPK
.375 member


Reged: 31/08/04
Posts: 734
Loc: Chevy Chase, MD
Re: Left-hand doubles [Re: Greener]
      #75448 - 03/04/07 10:42 PM

Greener,

I have the triggers twisted to accomodate a lefty - me - on all of my (formerly) right handed guns. I find using the left edge of triggers twisted for a righty, as they should be on a right handed gun, very annoying. It is no big deal and not very expensive to have done. I ussually have the trigger pulls on my guns lightened - shotgun and rifle - at the same time if they require it - and many do.

Most or all of the from the maker left handed guns and rifles that I have seen have lefty twisted triggers, wether the gun was made on a mirror image action or a right handed action, including two that I own - both on right handed actions.

I don't have any photos just featuring the triggers that either were made twisted for a lefty or that I've had twisted.

JPK

Edited by JPK (03/04/07 10:47 PM)

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foxfire
.375 member


Reged: 25/11/04
Posts: 511
Loc: Long Island N.Y.,
Re: Left-hand doubles [Re: Greener]
      #75451 - 03/04/07 11:24 PM

Greener,
I bought a used right handed Krieghoff. I had it restocked left handed. When I got it back it was restocked and the triggers were turned out for a lefty shooter. I don't remember even having any conversations about it being done. But when I got the gun back the triggers fit me just fine. Sorry I don't have any pictures right now but if I can come up with on I'll post it.

--------------------
No good deed goes unpunished

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Greener
.224 member


Reged: 01/04/07
Posts: 18
Loc: Europe
Re: Left-hand doubles [Re: foxfire]
      #75460 - 04/04/07 12:39 AM

Foxfire,
thanks

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Greener
.224 member


Reged: 01/04/07
Posts: 18
Loc: Europe
Re: Left-hand doubles [Re: Greener]
      #75467 - 04/04/07 01:00 AM

…as a result we have the next story:

Actually every custom gunmaker produce left swinging top lever but many lefties that work for gunmakers use right swinging top lever in left hand guns and even left swinging in right hand guns.

Actually there are a lot of thoughts about advantage of right lever opening in lefty’s gun.

Faster handling – you do not need to change your grip while you are opening the gun (actually I did not notice it until I tried to open right hand double with right hand)

More reliable opening - you can apply more effort by pushing over pulling the top lever in the situation where locking system is polluted or a little damaged (of course it doesn’t happen often and I doubt it ever will take place but if it ever will happen this will not caused a problem)

Comfort of handling, to all appearances, it’s a matter of habit – it’s not an advantage of right or left lever opening - at worse, and right lever opening is even more comfortable for left-handed guns - at best.

And ladies and gentleman there is the main question – why 99% of right-handed guns have right lever opening?

P.S. 99% because some people find left swinging top lever like more comfortable in right-handed guns in use ( for example Kevin Kilday from Westley Richards).

Edited by Greener (05/04/07 03:59 PM)

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Pugwash
.300 member


Reged: 24/03/07
Posts: 113
Loc: Scotland,UK
Re: Left-hand doubles [Re: Greener]
      #75615 - 05/04/07 07:40 AM

Greener,
I checked with the assistant factory manager at H&H about the left hand opening lever guns and as you say they do now have action machinings for these guns,but there is no demand for them for the reasons now established.With the introduction of the newer cnc machines the actions can be made a lot faster than when I worked there.Please ignore my earlier post as it is no longer relevent.

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