Left Side Cocking Handle for 858

mikethebike said:
Do you guys ever wonder why it was ever placed on the right side in the first place? There might be a reason. The sling maybe? I sling my rifle diagonally in the shoulder ready carry, with the butt up on my left shoulder and the barrel down on my right hip, that way i just reach back with my right hand, grab the rifle and pull. Now if the carrier release knob was on the left side of the rifle, that would seriously rack my whole back while I`m walking around with the rifle slung.
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You have to remember the time frame it was built. Most contemporary designs of the era used a right side cocking handle (excluding things like the FN-FAL, the AG-42's(and varients)). The AK-47, SKS, SVT-40 all red rifles used them on that side. The Germans were actually the first country to consider having the left side cocking handle on such firearms as the G-43 and the STG-44. There was virtually no thought put into ambidextrous controls back in the 50's and there was none of these 'gunfighter' position things at that time either.
 
I just don't know why they chose the right side, I mean if you're going to chose a side there has to be some reason behind it, i doubt they had a two four of Pilsner Urquell and decided yah comrades lets put it on the right side. Maybe some expert on czech firearm design can chime in?
 
twyeh said:
And Soviet optics mount on the left, so the charging handle will be in the way.
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Quite true, but the VZ rifles do not come equipped with a POSP type mounting rail, and it need not be in the way if a red dot is used.


I know it's a moot point, but why would the left be better than the right ?

Not really a big deal, but given a choice I would choose the RHS.
 
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Ganderite said:
Here is how I use my 858s. I shoot CQB. All the mag changes are against the clock, and all involve using the left hand to do the change. A right side cocking handle/bolt release is awkward.

The real killer is modified prone, where you lay on your strong shoulder, so getting at the bolt release with the left hand is REAL important. That is why I did it.
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Why are you using your hands opposite to normal?
 
mikethebike said:
I just don't know why they chose the right side, I mean if you're going to chose a side there has to be some reason behind it, i doubt they had a two four of Pilsner Urquell and decided yah comrades lets put it on the right side. Maybe some expert on czech firearm design can chime in?
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The charging handle on the right side is just a carryover from bolt action rifles. There was no real thought process, just doing things the way they have always been done.
 
Big_Red said:
Why are you using your hands opposite to normal?
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That is not me in the picture, but note that he also has a left hand knob installed (I got the idea from his rifle).

As it happens, I also shoot with reversed hands. Either way, the left hand changes the mags. The choice is to use the right hand to pull the trigger or to support the forend. Using the right hand out front means that the rifle stays on target during the mag change, since the right hand does not move. I find resting the rifle on my right arm makes the rifle a bit more steady and mag changes a re bit faster because the rifle stays on target.

if you shoot CQB, this is something to try.

Another view of how it looks. This is me, running my 858 with doubled mags..

DSCN9678.jpg
 
I've shot a couple of the 'cqb' matches, and also do some cqb stuff for work.

I would never even think of trying that.

And how does the rifle staying on target speed up mag changes? Also, I've never been in or seen a CQB scenario where you would be laying on the ground.
 
Ganderite said:
That is not me in the picture, but note that he also has a left hand knob installed (I got the idea from his rifle).

As it happens, I also shoot with reversed hands. Either way, the left hand changes the mags. The choice is to use the right hand to pull the trigger or to support the forend. Using the right hand out front means that the rifle stays on target during the mag change, since the right hand does not move. I find resting the rifle on my right arm makes the rifle a bit more steady and mag changes a re bit faster because the rifle stays on target.

if you shoot CQB, this is something to try.

Another view of how it looks. This is me, running my 858 with doubled mags..
Click to expand...

I don't see it working that smoothly. To get into rollover/SBU whatever prone you want to use to shoot under a barrier...you have to hit the dirt. I brake with my left hand and shoot my legs back. My right hand is already on the pistol grip. Now when I rotate over I'm going to switch arms around? Seems unnecessary. You want to minimize your time in awkward positions like that, especially in a "cqb" environment (on an open range?).
 
wicked_police said:
I've shot a couple of the 'cqb' matches, and also do some cqb stuff for work.

And how does the rifle staying on target speed up mag changes? Also, I've never been in or seen a CQB scenario where you would be laying on the ground.
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The CQB COF we have in Ontario includes "modified prone". The COF is different in different places. The nice thing about CQB is that you get to play with different rifles and experiment with different techniques.

By flopping my hands and using my left hand to run the trigger instead of holding the forened, I find it faster. Your mileage may vary.

DSCN9679.jpg
 
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