Left bolt, right eject conversion

[bellboy]

I’m curious if anyone has had this work done and how extensive it is. I know some actions can be purchased this way. I am interested in converting a right handed savage or tikka from a right handed bolt and right hand eject rifle to a left handed bolt, right eject.


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[Ice-kub]

Much more affordable to purchase a left handed factory rifle I would think?

 

[left hunter]

I think it was somewhat common for this to be done back before true left hand actions were available but I can’t imagine there is even a smith today that would consider doing it. The cost would probably be super high as well.

I do own a left hand converted 1903 that was wonderfully converted by some unknown smith. I honestly can’t imagine how much work it took to get the conversion done and is probably way outside most of today's gunsmiths abilities

 

[hereinaz]

I’m curious if anyone has had this work done and how extensive it is. I know some actions can be purchased this way. I am interested in converting a right handed savage or tikka from a right handed bolt and right hand eject rifle to a left handed bolt, right eject.


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It’s gonna be better and cheaper to sell what you have and buy a Shillen action. I think they still have them.

 

[TaperPin]

It’s so rare I can’t actually remember seeing a converted action.
- New left hand bolt handle
- Change cocking notch direction (fill and recut)
- Design new bolt stop, machine receiver, make stop
- Machine extraction cam angle into receiver
- Machine bolt handle clearance into receiver (fill existing)
- Refinish bolt and receiver
- New stock blank, custom inletted

I doubt anyone would price that out less than $1000 + the receiver + the price of stock blank.

 

[hereinaz]

It’s so rare I can’t actually remember seeing a converted action.
- New left hand bolt handle
- Change cocking notch direction (fill and recut)
- Design new bolt stop, machine receiver, make stop
- Machine extraction cam angle into receiver
- Machine bolt handle clearance into receiver (fill existing)
- Refinish bolt and receiver
- New stock blank, custom inletted

I doubt anyone would price that out less than $1000 + the receiver + the price of stock blank.

Yes…

It would be easier to swap a right hand bolt head onto a left hand action and open an ejection port on the right.

 

[bellboy]

Thanks for all the info, I was thinking it was not going to be easy/cheap.


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[TaperPin]

I was surprised to see this combination in a savage pistol, but a number of benchrest actions can be ordered this way.

 

[TaperPin]

What a fun excuse to read about old gunsmiths who did the conversions prior to left hand actions being available. It would be fun to have one just for the history of it.

 

[hereinaz]

I was surprised to see this combination in a savage pistol, but a number of benchrest actions can be ordered this way.
View attachment 843275

I forgot about the pistols! I remember seeing them and the benchrest actions.

If I remember right, some benchrest actions don’t have an opening in the bottom because they are single feed and don’t need a magazine.

 

[bellboy]

That’s pretty cool. I know it’s not cheap but I’ve got a very sentimental pre 64 model 70 that was my dads that I think would be very cool to convert to left hand. He was also left handed.


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[Scottf270]

Savage is your huckleberry. They had several models that were left handed bolt but right hand eject. Actually handier on a bench than a true left hand action.

 

[left hunter]

Here are some terrible pics of my left hand converted 1903

 

[left hunter]

One of Craig Boddingtons primary safari rifle for many years was a left hand converted pre 64 Winchester model 70. It looked like hell from all the use it had. I would love to know where that rifle ended up

 

[Wapiti1]

There used to be a variety of kits to convert Mauser, Springfield, Remington and Winchester rifles to left hand. Some were mostly add on parts, others required welding and machining. All required machining on the bolt.

Those pretty much all disappeared in the early 80's when manufacturers stopped their campaign of hate against the left.....

I have done two left hand Remington 40X conversions for benchrest shooters. It is pretty involved. Get or make a left hand cocking piece, cut the bolt in half, fabricate and put a new back end on with left hand handle, make filler blocks for the rear bridge and weld in, machine the rear bridge to left hand geometry for the bolt clearance and extraction cam. Decide if it gets a left hand safety. I suggested Gentry 3-pos safeties, but neither shooter wanted a safety. There is a little fitting of the bolt head so it engages the receiver in the opposite direction.

They turned out really nice. The why was that they had everything dialed in except the action and it would have cost 4X more to build new than to convert. A little stock work to fill a bolt handle cut and make a left hand cut.

If you are starting from scratch......If I were to quote the work, it would be more than a quality left hand action.

No idea what it takes on any other action. These are the only two I've every even considered.

Jeremy

 

[peaches]

I understand a lefty wanting a lefty bolt, but why desire the case to eject into your face?

Just make life simple, and inexpensive, and buy a lefty action.

 

[TaperPin]

Searching “converted left hand rifle” turns up a number of good old ones.