Lefty shotgun options?

[Jpsmith1]

Did you shoot the 870 particularly well? If so, look at Franchi Affinity. BPS or Ithaca for a used pump. If you always fought the 870, Winchester pumps. Used pump > Stoeger.

I'm not recommending a Mossberg, because while it's superior to the 870 in function, I have no idea what sort of beast they actually fit well for wingshooting.

None of my LH shotguns fit like a Remington. So recommending them does no good to someone who shoots an 870 well. Also none of my shotguns have the safety in the econo spot. Learning a better way is as objectionable to a practiced shooter as to a pig being hauled away from from slop.

Of late, I can't say I've shot it particularly well. I've burned a couple boxes of shells not killing any ducks. After patterning it the other day, I suspect that may have more to do with it than anything else.

Over time, my 870 has felt and acted like an extension of my arms. Rabbits and pheasant just piled up when I started shooting.

If the mossberg is superior to the remington in function, I can't imagine. My 870 hasn't so much as bobbled in 10s of thousands of rounds.

I found a lefty barrel on Fleabay that I might toss a couple bucks at before dropping a grand on a new gun.

 

[vonb]

I found a lefty barrel on Fleabay that I might toss a couple bucks at before dropping a grand on a new gun.

You need a lefty receiver too if an 870.

 

[juju]

If there are no obvious issues with the bore, you could try a deep clean. Put a shotgun rod in a power drill. Use a brush wrapped with fine steel wool on the rod. Douse the brush in solvent and polish the bore. Degrease with pure acetone when done.

If the barrel isn't threaded, get it threaded. The thread job costs less than a good set of extended chokes.

This is not as fun as a new gun, but if you shot it well changing seems a bad idea.

 

[MTRaine]

Fellow lefty here. I currently shoot a semi auto Fabarm XLR5 waterfowler. Absolutely love the gun. Short of a high end over under it has been my favorite shotgun. I've had a 870 ,Benelli Super nova, Benelli M2, Shot various other benelli and beretta semi auto's. and spent a ton of time behind a browning citori, CZ O/U and a owned an FNH SC1 O/U (basically a fancy winchester 101) At $2500 though, the XLR5 blows past your 1k budget.
I've heard great things about the Winchester SX4 which can be found for under 1k. I hope to pick one up as a back up gun to try at some point. Just my humble opinion once you go to an auto you will never want a pump again. I still yearn for an over under but I also shoot a ton of sporting clays. Ultimately best to decide what you want(pump,auto, O/U) then start narrowing your limited options from there. The biggest thing with a shotgun is fit. Finding someone knowledgeable in that area is vital. It doesn't matter if you spend $500 or $30,000, If the shotgun doesn't fit you, it will drive you insane. ie...That m2 I owned? Hated that gun. It shot absolutely wonderful but I couldn't hit anything to save my life with it. All because it didn't fit. I wasted so much ammo trying to shoot it. Once you find a gun that fits and meets you needs I'd go to the local clays club and dedicate some serious time shooting your new gun. Most shooters take 1,000-2,000 rounds to get to know a shotgun. Just my experience as a lefty shotgun junkie. Hope you find something you like!
Calli

 

[TeaGull]

Benelli M2, save up the money to get into an inertia gun over gas. Will be more reliable for longer. Wolff plus power spring (~$20) is the only modification needed to prevent the so called "Benelli Click". Been shooting them for 15 years with no issues and minor maintenance. Like them so much, I have 4 in the safe. Should be set for life...

 

[prairieboy]

Benelli M2, save up the money to get into an inertia gun over gas. Will be more reliable for longer. Wolff plus power spring (~$20) is the only modification needed to prevent the so called "Benelli Click". Been shooting them for 15 years with no issues and minor maintenance. Like them so much, I have 4 in the safe. Should be set for life...

ive owned both and prefer modern gas guns for there recoil reduction. its noticeable chasing geese all fall.

 

[juju]

...get into an inertia gun over gas. Will be more reliable for longer. ...

Fightin' words right there!

 

[TeaGull]

ive owned both and prefer modern gas guns for there recoil reduction. its noticeable chasing geese all fall.

True, however my opinion may be skewed as I mostly shoot 20 gauge. With good ammo, I rarely feel under-gunned. I shot 1100s and then Super X2s previous to Benellis. Somewhere between 5 and 10 years of 1000 plus rounds a year, they become very finicky and fail to cycle often unless freshly cleaned, exacerbated by moisture. I'll die on that hill as I have seen it time and time again in my circle of wing shooters.

Fightin' words right there!

My Ford is better than your Chevy.

 

[MTRaine]

True, however my opinion may be skewed as I mostly shoot 20 gauge. With good ammo, I rarely feel under-gunned. I shot 1100s and then Super X2s previous to Benellis. Somewhere between 5 and 10 years of 1000 plus rounds a year, they become very finicky and fail to cycle often unless freshly cleaned, exacerbated by moisture. I'll die on that hill as I have seen it time and time again in my circle of wing shooters.


My Ford is better than your Chevy.

Oh yeah well my Dodge is better than your Ford!!
I’ll make sure to have a talk with my XLR about needing to act up at a 1,000 rounds for cleaning. I cleaned it the other day before starting spring league because I felt guilty. Had over 2500 rounds on it since it was last scrubbed. #pokethebear..
Ribbing aside not saying gas guns don’t require more love. But I do think it depends on the gas gun. Case in point my XLR vs an 1100 or 1187. The 1187 I had as a kid definitely did not like being dirty.
That being said, I don’t miss my inertia gun at all. As a smaller shooter I’ll take recoil comfort and one more cleaning a year. Moral of the story is Inertia guns are cool and reliable, but not all gas guns are created equal. There are those that are incredibly reliable even when dirty. Either way I think the OP should get an autoloader!

 

[Jpsmith1]

If there are no obvious issues with the bore, you could try a deep clean. Put a shotgun rod in a power drill. Use a brush wrapped with fine steel wool on the rod. Douse the brush in solvent and polish the bore. Degrease with pure acetone when done.

If the barrel isn't threaded, get it threaded. The thread job costs less than a good set of extended chokes.

This is not as fun as a new gun, but if you shot it well changing seems a bad idea.

I had it threaded for chokes in the late 90s. It's a SUPER thin wall bore and it was a challenge to even find someone to do it.

I just bought the only X full choke available for the thread pattern I have, zeroed at 10 and barely had pellets on paper at 40. Comparatively huge holes in the pattern

Add to that the fact that my dumb a$$ let it tip over without a tube installed and got this result and I wonder if I'm even authorized to operate a shotgun. I was able to get it mostly opened up and a tube installed.

 

[juju]

Oof. That's like accidentally backing over the family pet or something.

There's a LH 870 on gunsinternational. Says full choke barrel so should be one of the older good ones.

But I can totally see why you'd want to put that fiasco behind you.

 

[yfarm]

Currently own 3 1100s, RH installed LH crossbolt safety in 5 minutes in all, shoot all of them fine, one 12ga Special Field, one 20 Youth and one pristine 1100 skeet. Also one 1187 Special 20 ga Deer also converted. Just bought a Beretta 1301 Comp, has shims for LH cast, very nice shooting, safety is crossbolt and reversible. Don’t know why any auto maker with a crossbolt doesnt design it this way. The liability excuse is just that.
I bought a Mossberg 935 Turkey to use as a salt water waterfowl gun, works fine except wont eject dove loads, 1 1/4 yes not 1 or 1 1/8, Beretta eats those without complaint.
I like short barreled autos, overall length is the same as my Citori 26”so the swing feels the same.