I have two side levers and the lever is on the right for both of them. The first is a Stephen Grant hammer gun in 12 gauge and the second is a Rigby SLE in 16 Gauge. I am right handed with a left eye dominance so the side lever is in the right position for my left thumb. Whether the side lever is superior to the top lever is subjective, for me a side lever is a bit better than a top lever. I think the real difference is in aesthetics and I think a side lever is much more attractive than a top lever.
