It’s amazing what a little confidence in your firearm can do. Unfortunately, I’m a southpaw, and finding the right hunting gear can be difficult at times. So, here is a list of seven left-handed turkey hunting shotguns, in order of price, for those of you who are cursed with wrong-handed syndrome, too.
Remington Model 870 Express
Luckily for us southpaws, Remington’s all American, pump shotgun is now available in a left-handed version, with shell ejection and safety manipulations located on the left side of the receiver and trigger guard, respectively. Finished with a non-reflective, black matte receiver, a classic laminate stock and forend and a silver front bead, this no frills, no nonsense gun is a winning combination when paired with Remington’s Extra Full turkey choke tube ($30). Considering the fact that hunters have been using variations of this reasonably priced scattergun for nearly 60 years, it’s a great option for any hunter’s arsenal and probably a gun your grandpa used, too.
Specifications
Gauge: 12
Chamber size: 3-inch
Capacity: 4 rounds
Barrel length: 28 inches
Weight: 7.5 pounds
MSRP: $446
Browning BPS Stalker
This pump shotgun features a top-tang safety and bottom ejected shells, making it easy to use for both right- and left-handed shooters. A gun that I’ve carried in Michigan’s North Woods for 2 years, I can attest that the 3 ½-inch version packs a punch when it comes to taking down a gobbler.
In addition to a composite matte black finish, the BPS Stalker will arrive with Full, Modified and Improved Cylinder Invector-Plus choke tubes, and a silver front bead. A Browning Extra Full turkey choke ($88) is available.
Specifications
Gauge: 12
Chamber size: 3-inch or 3½-inch
Capacity: 4 rounds
Barrel length: 26, 28 or 30 inches
Weight: 8 to 8.5 pounds
MSRP: $699.99 to $799.99
Thompson/Center Encore Pro-Hunter Turkey
Great for lefties and righties alike, this single-shot, break-open turkey gun’s safety is easily operated by pressing forward on the trigger guard lock.
Not only is it easy to use, but also extremely versatile. Known as “the gun for all seasons,” the T/C Encore Pro-Hunter Turkey shotgun offers multiple configurations to meet any hunter’s needs, and can be easily changed to a muzzleloader or centerfire rifle by purchasing coordinating barrels and forends.
“I love the versatility along with the lightweight and compactness of this firearm. It is comfortable for both right- and left-handed shooters. Shotgun, rifle or muzzleloader, I'm ready to go with a quick switch of the barrel and forend,” said Marti Davis, Knight & Hale and Mossy Oak pro staffer.
Topping off this shotgun, the Encore Pro-Hunter Turkey boasts adjustable fiber optic sights, a T/C extra full turkey choke, Sims recoil pad and Realtree AP camo pattern.
Specifications
Gauge: 20 or 12
Chamber size: 3-inch
Capacity: 1 round
Barrel length: 26 inches (20 gauge) and 24 inches (12 gauge)
Weight: 6.5 pounds
MSRP: $892
Remington Versa Max
Awarded the American Rifleman Shotgun of the Year in 2011, the Versa Max autoloading shotgun is available in a true left-handed version. The shell ejection port is on the left side of the receiver and the safety is located on the left side of the trigger guard. Even better, with the design of Remington’s VersaPort gas piston system, it has the felt recoil of a 20 gauge, with the power of a 12.
“The Versa Max shoots like a dream. It’s one of the softest recoiling shotguns I’ve ever used, and the fact that it’s actually set up for a lefty gives me an extra boost of confidence when I’m turkey hunting,” said Rachel Fry, Galco Gunleather account representative and fellow southpaw.
The Versa Max comes standard with HiViz interchangeable fiber optic sights, but is drilled and tapped for the addition of your favorite turkey hunting scope. A ProBore Wingmaster HD Extended Turkey choke ($69.01) can be purchased in addition to the five standard chokes (Full, Modified, Improved Modified, Light Modified and Improved Cylinder) that are included with the shotgun.
The Versa Max is available in a black synthetic finish or Mossy Oak Duck Blind camo pattern for the quack-a-holics out there.
Specifications
Gauge: 12
Chamber size: 3½-inch
Capacity: 3 rounds
Barrel length: 28 inches
Weight: 7.75 pounds
MSRP: $1,427
Benelli M2 Field
Boasting the title of “the first 20-gauge shotgun made for left-handed shooters,” Benelli’s M2 doesn’t disappoint. With attention to detail and southpaws in mind, the M2 offers its ComfortTech stock, featuring a gel butt pad that is specifically designed to fit the left shoulder, as well as left shell ejection and safety manipulations on the left side of the trigger guard.
Available in black synthetic in both 12- and 20-guage versions, with additional patters for the 12-gauge version, including Realtree APG and Realtree Max-4, every M2 is equipped with a shim kit, red bar front sight and five Crio chokes, including Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified and Full. A Crio Extra Full turkey choke ($35) is available for purchase.
The lightweight M2 20-gauge shotgun made climbing and crawling in tough Texas terrain a little easier, and it gave me the confidence I needed to execute a 40-yard shot, flawlessly.
Specifications
Gauge: 20 or 12
Chamber size: 3-inch
Capacity: 4 rounds
Barrel Length: 26 or 28 inches
Weight: 5.8 to 7.2 pounds
MSRP: $1,549 to $1,649
Honorable Mentions—Southpaw Friendly
Mossberg FLEX 500
Although, not truly a “lefty specific” shotgun (the shell ejection port is located on the right side of this semi auto,) the Mossberg FLEX 500’s top-mounted safety does make it lefty friendly.
Versatility at its finest, the 500 FLEX System has a series of connectors that allows stocks, forends and recoil pads to be swapped out to fit the user’s needs, or allow for adjustments as youth shooters grow.
Perfect for turkey hunting, this OD green and Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity patterned shotgun is accompanied by an X-Factor ported choke tube, as well as an adjustable fiber optic sight.
Specifications
Gauge: 20 or 12
Chamber size: 3-inch
Capacity: 6 rounds
Barrel length: 24 or 26 inches
Weight: 7 pounds
MSRP: $591
Ithaca Turkey Slayer
Another honorable mention in the “lefty friendly” category is the Ithaca Turkey Slayer, available in both 20 and 12 gauge. Although the safety manipulations on the trigger guard are not set up for a left-handed shooter, this scattergun boasts bottom-ejecting shells.
The Turkey Slayer is equipped with a Briley Extra Full choke tube, Truglo high-visibility red fiber optic front sight and a Pachmayr 752 recoil pad. Black synthetic, True Timber camo and thumbhole stock are available for both 20- and 12-gauge models.
Specifications
Gauge: 20 or 12
Chamber size: 3-inch
Capacity: 5
Barrel length: 24 inches
Weight: 7.2 and 7.6 pounds
MSRP: $899
Maybe the southpaw curse isn’t that bad, after all. Hopefully one of these seven shotguns will fit into your turkey hunting arsenal, and give you the added boost of confidence you’re looking for when chasing after longbeards.
