Autoloaders: Winchester SX4 Left Hand
One of the newer introductions to this list comes from Winchester. The company’s SX family of shotguns has a strong reputation, but heretofore, the gas guns have overlooked the left.
Though a southpaw version of the SX4 was launched a while back, it’s only recently become common and more inclusive. Now, the line has expanded to include Standard Synthetic, Field, Waterfowl Hunter, and Hybrid Hunter variants, with multiple patterns, finishes, and barrel lengths available to suit hunters and target shooters alike.
Related: The Best Guns, Ammo & Gear from Pheasant Fest 2024
Believe it or not, there are plenty of other hunting autoloaders for left-handers, including Benelli’s SBE3, Montefeltro, and M2. Beretta’s A400, Tristar’s Viper, and Franchi’s Affinity immediately come to mind in current production as well.
The Transformers: Weatherby Sorix & Henry Homesteader
There are right-handed guns, left-handed ones, and now there are crossovers. The latest launch from Weatherby debuted in spring 2024 and is one of the more intriguing on this list. Though not built specifically for left-handers, it’s a more ambi-friendly offering.
The Sorix features quick-switchable controls and is geared toward waterfowlers, though it’s really a do-all type of autoloading scattergun. Though the ejection port remains on the right, lefties can quickly switch the charging handle to the opposite side.
Like the Sorix, Henry’s 9mm Homesteader repeating rifle sets a trend for more southpaw-friendly controls and features. The semi-automatic Homesteader is out of character for Henry, being a blowback-operated semi-automatic in a sea of lever actions.
The Homesteader also uses an ambidextrous, swappable charging handle. In addition, the blued steel and American walnut piece shows off an interchangeable magazine system that accepts not only proprietary mags but S&W, SIG Sauer, and Glock mags as well.
Budget Rifles & Shotguns
Plenty of custom-level manufacturers offer left-handed hunting rifles and properly stocked double shotguns, but what’s out there in the more pocketbook-pleasing, off-the-shelf long guns? On the affordable rifle spectrum, southpaw buyers have choices. Ruger offers not only its American series, but the Hawkeye and Scout. Savage follows suit with both the Axis and 110 families. Winchester’s XPR is a solid value, too.
Fret not, leftie rimfire lovers. You’re now better represented as well. Think Ruger 10/22 Leftie, a full half-dozen Savage models, CZ, Anschutz, and more at varying price points to suit any budget. At higher price points, buyers will find lefty-specific centerfire and rimfires from Christensen, Browning, Bergara, Tikka, and more.
The shotgun world offers even more, especially when eyeing pump actions. Though Mossberg avoids lefty bolt rifles, its decades-old proven lines of 500 and 835 slide guns still eject from the right but use a friendlier tang safety.
Browning’s BPS (sadly just discontinued at the time of this writing) has long been even more popular due to its tang safety and bottom ejection port. In the bolt-action shotgun game, Savage continues to build dedicated left-handed slug guns. TriStar’s left-handed semi-autos hit the budget chord, as do its repeaters.
Related Review: Browning BPS Shotgun – Classic Pump-Action Hunter
Euro Style: Savage Impulse & Straight Pulls
Though we’re focusing more on accessible production rifles like the Savage Impulse series, lefties have long appreciated the features on straight-pull rifles. Blaser’s R8 series has the corner on the European market, and many American hunters have long gravitated to the fast-cycling design, available in countless left-handed options. Barrel and chambering swaps are a snap, but so is changing bolt operations.
On the Savage Impulse, for instance, shooters can quickly position the bolt handle for lefties, a feature especially useful for hunters traveling with a rifle and sharing with left and right-handers. In rimfires, look to the new Hammerli Force B1 with its swappable barrels, modular design, and straight-pull action.
Handy Cowboys: Lever Actions
This is an especially interesting category. Many left-handed hunters have always made do with lever actions. While some preferred the older top-eject feature, others are simply workable due to more ambi-friendly controls and under-action drives. Powerhouses Henry, Marlin, and Winchester are now sharing space with names like Smith & Wesson, Heritage, Rossi, TriStar, and more.
In 2024, though, a new wave of lever actions joins the market, clearly fueled by modern sporting rifle features. The Bond Arms LVRB, FightLite Herring, Aero Precision Lever Gun, and POF-USA Tombstone all use some variant of an AR-style upper on a lever-driven lower, fed by AR-style magazines, and with controls geared to make life a little simpler for southpaws.
Related Review: POF Tombstone 9mm Lever Gun – A High Capacity for Fun
Just how lefty-friendly – and modular – this space will become remains an interesting topic. We’re certain southpaws everywhere would prefer to see more ejection ports swapped to the left, but the market is becoming more aware of southpaw needs with each passing year.
The All-Inclusives: Single Shots and Doubles
There’s never a bad time to have a quality single-shot rifle or shotgun. Not only are they often more inexpensive than their repeating counterparts, but many of these today come with exceptional triggers, practical features, and surprising accuracy. And of course, they’re usually very lefty friendly.
Check out single-shot rifles from CVA in the Scout V2 series, which use impressively crisp and light triggers and can be had in a laundry lists of chamberings. For an American-made option, look to Henry Repeating Arms for a healthy contingent of single-shot rifles in both Steel and Brass variants in over a dozen chamberings and bores, and break-action shotguns.
The same can be said for double barrels. Though most of us will only pine over double rifles, the shotgun world is rife with O/U and SxS shotguns from affordable to “sky’s-the-limit” price points. By their very nature, these darlings are friendly for either hand dominance, except in cases with excess stock palm swell and cast. Check out names like Beretta, Weatherby, Browning, TriStar, and many more.
Conclusion
Take it from a lifelong right-hander who has demoed several left-handed firearms. It’s awkward at best, takes a considerable amount of practice to accomplish even serviceably well, and at worst, could easily cost you a hunt or competition.
I feel your pain, southpaws (which includes several family members and friends). With names like Browning, Winchester, Ruger, Christensen, Beretta, Benelli, Bergara, Weatherby, and so many more building dedicated left-handed firearms, it appears my wish for you is coming true.
