Shooting Lefty

[Harold1950]

Been a while since I was on here. I have a question concerning shooting left handed with a right handed rifle. Due to shoulder surgery this past December and possibly/probably another one in a month or so to move a bisep tendon in my right arm; I would like to ask the experts on their opinion about trying to learn to shoot left handed using my right handed percussion GPR and TC Hawkin rifles. I can't shoot right handed because of the problem I have with the tendon right in the area where I would put the butt of the gun. So I'm going through withdrawals as far as shooting my guns. Would there be a problem with trying left handed with maybe something put on the nipple to divert the flash towards the left side of the rifle? To keep it away from my face. I realize there is less flash/burnt powder than with a flintlock so just trying to figure out how to make it work. Thanks for your help in advance. Harold

 

[ol vern]

Take it from a lefty that started out shooting righthanded guns
you are way over thinking this. Shooting with the lock on the wrong side of the gun is no big deal. Just get yourself a pair of shooting glasses and have at it.

 

[Naphtali]

A friend has shot ONLY right-handed percussion rifles, ONLY left-handed. Not only has he no complaints, he harvests elk in the Olympic Mountains every year.

Hope this helps.

 

[pa woods roamer]

My right Eye went bad in my early 40`s. I can still use a scope but gave up on M`loading...for awhile!! Bought a couple cases of .22 shells and shot and shot and shot. Now, it is second nature shooting lefty. Give `er a try....

 

[Barrows]

Hi. I'm a lefty, and shoot right-handed Renegades and Rocky Mountain Hawkens and Springfield Hawkens. No problem for me. Think of the double barrel black powder shotguns. There's a hammer on both sides. Best wishes to you.

 

[gearheart]

Same here. I wouldn't be too excited about watching a rock sparker going off in front of my eye but I've done it. Proper eye protection is very important even if the hammer is on the other side.

 

[Harold1950]

Thanks guys..........guess I need to hit the range and start learning then.

 

[necchi]

+1 to ol vern,,
Just get some shooting or saftey glasses for the rare yet possible occurance of cap shards an powder, an have at it!

I have had to, at times, cross shoot at rondy events and in hunting situations and it is suprising that there is no sight adjustment or further adaptation needed. :thumbsup:

It can be a good thing too pratice and learn.

 

[gearheart]

Just practice it will come. Sometimes when in a tree stand a deer comes in on your off side and your only chance may be to shoot back handed because turning your body will spook the critter.

 

[sixgun67]

Yeah, as all have said, go ahead. I'm a right handed person, but shoot every gun lefty. I injured my right eye at 12y.o. and been blind ever since. No choice but shoot lefty--and pretty much don't know any difference. My Bobcat doesn't throw any excess sparks and such into my face yet, and I've shot it for 6 years or so now. However, the snap of the cap is directly in front of your face instead of off to one side, so that might take some getting used to--it did with me. Good luck and good shooting!
sixgun

 

[mjones1579]

Like Lead Slinger said. After about a million 22 shells it'll be like you were born lefty. (like a normal person) :wink:

 

I had to switch to left hand shooting late in life (70 plus) after losing useful sight in my right eye. The only precaution I would advise is to wear long sleeves when shooting a percussion. Bits of debris from the cap lock will sting the right arm with short sleeves. Not enough to draw blood, but enough to feel.

No problem at all with flinters.

 

[paulvallandigham]

You may still be able to shoot the gun, but will have to change that half-moon butt plate for a "shotgun" style flat buttplate, so that it can be shot from the pocket on your shoulder/collar bone, rather than between the bi-cep and the shoulder joint on your right arm.

I began my shooting of ML rifles with a RH percussion gun, shooting it off my left shoulder. Glasses are mandatory. I only once took a piece of copper from a percussion cap into my face, about an inch below the eye. It barely stuck in my skin, and I easily removed it with my fingers. It bled a bit, but nothing I haven't done worse while shaving! It was a bit disconcerting, obviously, to know that something could fly off the nipple and hit me with enough force to stick in the flesh, so close to my eye, but I wear glasses routinely to shoot, and was in no danger.

Don't worry about shooting a RH gun on your left shoulder, if you must. Just wear glasses, and be safe. You will find it necessary to either close your right( dominant ) eye, or blur the vision through your right lens with a piece of scotch tape, or a dark blinder, in order to help you use that non-dominant, Left eye to shoot. :thumbsup:

 

[RickD]

I`m right haned but shoot left and right handed guns..Never had a problen shooting either way

 

[necchi]

You may still be able to shoot the gun, but will have to change that half-moon butt plate for a "shotgun" style flat buttplate, so that it can be shot from the pocket on your shoulder/collar bone, rather than between the bi-cep and the shoulder joint on your right arm.

Ya know, that's a darn good point.
Many guy's don't even know the curve butt is supposed to fit on the upper arm and NOT the shoulder.
They hold the gun like a CF they have shot for years.
It's one of the reasons I like the Renegade style and old fusil models, that curvy butt on T/C Hawkins and the Lyman GPR's just don't fit me proper.
But ya still gotta be carefull to heal proper, I know a gent that had shoulder surgery, and against his doctors orders, decided to shoot anyway's,,He messed things up! They had to re-do some things and it was even a longer recovery! :nono:

 

[AZ Muzzle]

I am a lefty and shoot left hand rifles. Of course I can shoot a right hand (wrong hand) rifle, but why? God only made left handers to remind others that there are perfect people. :grin:

Mark B

 

[BrownBear]

Here's something for you to watch for and look forward to:

I'm a lefty, but over the span of years have had to shoot righty now and then. After a little practice it dawned on me that I actually shot more accurately right handed. I have to be slower and more deliberate in everything I do right handed, but in the process I think I'm concentrating harder and actually shoot better. Whatever the excuse, it happens.

 

[Little Wattsy]

Take it from a lefty that started out shooting righthanded guns
you are way over thinking this. Shooting with the lock on the wrong side of the gun is no big deal. Just get yourself a pair of shooting glasses and have at it.

I got a lefty friend that feels the same way....
No worries just do it.

 

[Harold1950]

I will guys as soon as I can get to the range......and I always wear glasses, need to to see I appreciate the input and encouragement of everyone here. :thumbsup:

 

[Ray-Vigo]

I've shot a righty percussion without a problem. I always wear glasses. The only thing I regret was wearing short sleeves-- the cap spit on the arm causes irritation. Wear an old, long-sleeve shirt and you should be fine.