Left Handed Shotgun or...

[3RRL]

I want to get Loretta her own shotgun for Dove season this year.
She shoots left handed so I was looking for a left handed 12 gage autoloader. It needs to have a shorter stock ... about 12-3/4" to 13" pull length and a 26" multi choke barrel.

She could then hand it down to Wesley who also shoots left handed.
Both of them would need a "youth model" if I could find one in 12 gage, not 20 gage and left handed. I thought about getting an over and under but would like to know if there are any autoloaders out there with those specs that are under a thousand bucks. I saw one Remington model 11-87 in New Mexico that could be equipped that way, but they wouldn't sell it to me since I'm from California....bummer.

Another model I saw was the Charles Daly 12 gage autoloader Field Hunter VR-MC Left Hand. It comes with either 24", 26" or 28" barrels. I was thinking of asking if I could get another butt stock with 12-1/2 pull for it. But I don't know anything about this model.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[scott_vt]

Afternoon Rob,
I shoot the Remington 1100 set, 12 ga,20 ga, 28 ga, and 410. I use these guns mostly for skeet. I believe they make them in the laft handed version also. I dont know how difficult it is to get them but I have seen a number of them out there. They have been quite dependable IMO !

 

[3RRL]

Hi Scotty,
Thanks for the reply. I had an 1100 and loved it ...1980's circa. But the new ones are pretty expensive now. I must be out of touch with prices. I was told the 1100's are now the trap/skeet models and the 11-87 is their field gun. It's several hundred bucks less.
Those Charles Daly autoloaders are about half the Remington's price too. Are they any good?

 

[Z-Michigan]

The Charles Daly guns are probably made in Turkey. They actually make pretty good stuff, but I always prefer American guns if I can find what I want.

The 11-87 replaced the 1100 for most purposes. The 1100 has o-rings that are finicky and the 11-87 is cheaper to make. They only continue the 1100 because some competition shooters prefer it and are willing to pay for it.

I would check out Mossberg. They have a big lineup now, including pump, semi, and over/under models. Not fancy but they are well made and reliable, and often the lowest price for a good US manufactured gun.

 

[Dozernut]

My son is left handed and he had to go with a Mossberg pump. All the others threw the empty cases toward his face. He chose the 500 combo which has a rifled slug barrel and ventilated rib barrel with choke inserts. It is a real nice little 20 gauge and he has taken several deer with it. The left handed models have to be ordered and are quite expensive. I was really surprised, that Mossberg is a well built, quality shotgun.

On edit: mnbowhunter1960 brought up a real important issue that I forgot to mention, the top mounted safety on the Mossberg.

 

[mnbowhunter1960]

THE BROWNG BPS PUMP SHOTGUNS HAVE A TOP SAFETY AND ARE ALSO AVAIABLE IN YOUTH MODELS, ALSO ANY REMINGTON CAN HAVE THE SAFETY SWITCHED AROUND TO ACCOMODATE LEFT HANDED SHOOTERS FOR A VERY MINIMAL PRICE AT ANY GUNSMITH AND YOU CAN GET AN 870 EXPRESS YOUTH IN 20 GAUGE FOR UNDER $300.00
I BELIEVE MOSSBERG SHOTGUNS ALSO STILL HAVE TOP SAFETYS AND ARE GOOD QUALITY SHOTGUNS JUST NOT AS NICELY FINISHED AS SOME.

 

[jfh28]

For the pull length you could add a Knoxx specops which has adjustable settings. Comes in recoil reducing or not.

Jack

 

[KaiB]

I'm certainly no expert, but wouldn't an O/U be a better fit due to the shortened breech?

 

[schmism]

i would think 20 ga is all you would need for doves.... you want more than feathers left remember!

 

[scott_vt]

The 11-87 replaced the 1100 for most purposes. The 1100 has o-rings that are finicky and the 11-87 is cheaper to make.

Afternoon Z,
Yes the O-rings can be a bit finiky but with a little maintainance
and cleaning after each use they are fairly dependable. I pull the forearm and barrel off after each use and clean and very rarely does the gun fail on doubles !

KaiB makes a valid point about an over under combo, problem is usually price and a fair recoil on the 12 ga, only draw backs IMHO !