left handed trigger setup?

[Bob Brown]

I was poking around in a small box of parts that was part of a lot I bought at auction a few years ago. I hadn't realized it was there, but it looks like they were all part of a VH action. By the size of the trigger guard probably a small bore, serial number 220518. I don't have my serial number book with me.
Anyway, here are a few pictures of the trigger plate and triggers. Was this a typical way to bend the triggers for a left handed shooter? Anyone know if the factory does it like this? Thanks.

[Dean Romig]

No - that's a back yard job.

Plus that is bent for a right-handed shooter who either had a physical problem, dictating the rear trigger be more acutely offset, or he just wanted his gun to double. It is way too far to the right for a normal righty.






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[Bob Brown]

Thanks, Dean. I guess there is no end of back yard adjustments made to shotguns.

[Todd Poer]

I agree. No way Parker did that at the factory. But, I am not convinced that it was not for a lefty. Hard to say what predicated someone to do that with a trigger. I do know this is that when I shoot Parkers with typical 99% right handed setup my trigger finger gets beat up pretty good by sharp edge of left barrel trigger. To reach front right barrel trigger your finger may lay on edge of rear trigger. I guess I have fat fingers. Have never had a double fire since recoil puts pressure back to front on left trigger but if I don't wear gloves that area just between the knuckle and next joint toward finger tip (not certain what part of the finger is called) becomes raw. After about 15 rounds is when I start noticing the effect and small nicks in skin. After about 25 rounds its more noticeable if not wearing gloves.

It could be that a lefty shooter bent that trigger to the right to avoid that trigger slap on the finger. Or, as Dean suggested it could be for gnarled right handed shooter that may have lost a finger tip. My uncle was a high school shop teacher that can do amazing things with wood but he got careless one day and now is missing some finger tips on his trigger finger. That might be the justification moving that trigger over.

BTW its a sacrifice I am willing to take to shoot Parkers. Remember telling my dad as kid after a dove hunt where I shot more rounds than probably necessary about the issue with finger. He just said "Suck it up buttercup".

[Daryl Corona]

I'm a lefty and have never had a problem with the position of the back trigger, in fact it's position on the left side is a plus for a lefty as you slide your finger back.

But, I'd be willing to bet whomever bent those triggers was a trap shooter.:eek:

[Brian Dudley]

That plate looks to be from a Trojan grade as it has no engraving on it. Also, your comment about the size of the trigger guard related to gauge is incorrect. All Parker trigger guards are the same size, regardless of gauge and frame size.

Usually any change to the triggers for a Left hand shooter will be in how the triggers are filed and the slight bend of them. A set of triggers would never have left the factory looking like that.

[Todd Poer]

I'm a lefty and have never had a problem with the position of the back trigger, in fact it's position on the left side is a plus for a lefty as you slide your finger back.

But, I'd be willing to bet whomever bent those triggers was a trap shooter.:eek:

Daryl that is cool, did not realize you were a lefty. Glad its not an issue for you shooting your Parkers. Btw I have said it before but really like that pic of your lab. Every time I see it, it makes me weep nostalgic for my old lab that I swear is spitting image of yours in his day.

I agree with you about to sliding that finger back to left barrel being easy like Sunday morning. That is not the issue for me though. It is the abrasion of that sharp edge canted out some on left barrel trigger that causes a slight problem when shooting right barrel first. Like I said it may just be but it could be others.

I'm an average built guy at 6' and 190 lbs so can only think it might be an issue for others besides me. Every Parker with typical trigger set up I have shot does it. It is a simple cure if I think I am shooting a bunch then just put on a pair of gloves. I also have a slick lycra line stripping sleeve for fly fishing that I put on finger as well if remember it and its hot out. It is actually better than a glove.

Have thought about dulling or taking that sharp outside edge of trigger down some but just can't bring myself to do it. I just live with it and adapt and overcome.

[Richard Flanders]

I think the rear trigger is most definitely twisted for a leftie and the front likely bent sideways for a leftie. Not hard to do at all. They're pretty soft.

[Todd Poer]

Richard how is your lefty conversion going?

[Richard Flanders]

Pretty dismal the two times I got out to shoot clays this summer.

[Mike Franzen]

Rich maybe you try an offset sight like Dave Feleen uses. (I know I butchered Dave’s last name spelling.)

[Dean Romig]

Fjelline :)







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[Todd Poer]

Richard, I can only imagine what your frustration level is with it. Trying to acquire a sight picture and get the proper mount and muscle memory from a lifetime of shooting on one side is like learning to write with a different hand. Some can maybe take to it like a duck to water and for others it can be unraveling. We all have blind spots and barriers but you can overcome it. Hard part is doing it yourself or by yourself. Some can do it but you may need some help from a good instructor. You know you but getting a good instructor or even a buddy that knows how to shoot and giving feedback may make it easier to adapt and overcome.


Stay with it and don't be discouraged and keep practicing at home mounting and dry firing gun with snap caps. One day it will just click and come together. It did for my dads friend that lost his right eye and then learned lefty. He was a ornery fella from West By God Virginia and he loved bird hunting and bird dogs so he was not going to denied and figured it out.