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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 77
Sidelock
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Sidelock

Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 77
Hi all!
Any left handed doublegun shooters out there?

I shoot left handed. Many years ago at a shoot, I tried a side lever out and found it great to open the action with my left thumb on the side lever on the right side of the action.

I am thinking about buying a nice Damascus with this side lever action.

Any opinions, ideas, or knowledge of a gun like this for sale?

Any and all comments, help is greatly appreciated.

Best, Brian

Joined: Mar 2002
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
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Joined: Mar 2002
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Grant made some very nice side levers. Bit pricy but very well made. We. Moore made a more basic entry level side lever.

1 member likes this: Brian LaLone
Joined: Jan 2002
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Sidelock
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At one time, say around 1870 to 1890, several well-known British makers produced sidelever shotguns. Most had the lever on the right. Stephen Grant made some while at Boss and then under his own name as probably the best known. Blanch, Woodward and others more occasionally had sidelevers particularly on hammer guns with Damascus barrels. Modern side lever guns have come out of Italy but are scarce. Prices for all range from moderately high to high.

Joined: Aug 2018
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Boxlock
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Boxlock

Joined: Aug 2018
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Yeah, I'm left handed and I shoot a side lever Grant. You are right. The use of your left thumb on the side lever is a perfect fit, almost making it an 'ambidextrous' gun. I've seen several other side lever guns by other manufacturers, and some of them swoop the lever in such a way as to make it awkward for the left hand to use. Grant's design places it just where it accommodates the left thumb. I really enjoy shooting this gun. Good luck finding a good one.

Joined: Aug 2005
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Sidelock
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Last edited by Tom Findrick; 07/07/21 02:35 PM.

“When faith is lost, when honor dies, the man is dead” - John Greenleaf Whittier
Joined: Mar 2015
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Sidelock
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Sidelock

Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 349
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I'm right handed, but with a left eye dominance, so rifles and shotguns are shot from the left side.

The side lever is very easy to use with my left thumb. I have two side levers, Grant 12 g hammer gun and a Rigby 16 g side lock.


I have become addicted to English hammered shotguns to the detriment of my wallet.
Joined: Jan 2009
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Sidelock
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Joined: Jan 2009
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I have a Lancaster left side side lever hammer gun and it is near to perfect for a right hand shooter. I once emailed Grant and asked how much would they charge to convert a right side to a left for a right handed shooter, 5000 £. Needless to say I have acclimated to the right side. Both the Grant and Lancaster are my favorites and for some reason I seem to break clays better with them.

Joined: Feb 2016
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Sidelock
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Left and right side levers for Reilly..one from early 1870's...top from 1886: In one of the discussions someone mentioned that left-hand side levers were actually better for right hander shooters ergonomically but...the right-hand side levers were better for loaders... It was speculated that if one had a left-hand side lever...somehow you were "plebeian" or something or other. Didn't quite understand it. (Top gun is mine - really like it).

Don't think it will make much difference to your shooting if you key the lever from thumb over top of wrist...or take hand off wrist to key it. - you're still loading with your off hand.)(maybe a "loader" handed the gun by the shooter would take it in left hand, key the lever with thumb over wrist, then load with right hand?

[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]

Last edited by Argo44; 07/07/21 10:00 PM.

Baluch are not Brahui, Brahui are Baluch
Joined: Jan 2020
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Sidelock
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Sidelock

Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 547
Likes: 86
Great this is the topic I was always embarrassed to ask about. I never understood why most of the side lever guns ( beautiful guns) had lever on right side of action, when it would seem right handed shooters would need it on left side so they could open action with right thumb while holding stock in right hand and forend in left hand? So lever on right side of action was to accommodate a loader standing on my right side( I’m right handed) to grasp the gun with his left hand, open it with his left thumb and load it with his right hand? Anyone have a video of this side lever 2 gun transaction between shooter and loader? Or do I have this thumb thing confused? Never was much of a dancer, I’m sure you understand why!

Joined: May 2016
Posts: 62
Sidelock
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Sidelock

Joined: May 2016
Posts: 62
I have a Perrins of Worcester 12g Pinfire side-lever. Perrins was one of the best regional gunmakers, and was well known for his side-levers.

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