I've only shot an AR once, standing, and didn't even think of gas or brass. I just ordered a norc to see if I like the platform. If I get into it I might go for a LH in the future. Depends. Options are always limited for the sinistral side of society and I'm not sure if it'll matter one way or another for a casual bench shooter like myself which side the brass flies out.
Lefty use of AR 15
- Thread starter Sharps '63
- Start date
most of the complaints about hot brass in your face comes from those using the "telescopic" stock and where the rifle is positioned on the shoulder- using an a1 standard or an a2 buttstock and PUTTING YOUR FACE BACK TO WHERE IT SHOULD BE will cure it- remember, the ar 15 et al were designed to be ambi, and properly positioned , it won't bite you- I get the same b/s with my 1100, my m14, and any semi- auto- I've got a recoil pad on my uzi for that reason-the stock is too short and throws my face too far forward- it's more of a spacer than a recoil absorber- next time you're worried about brass from the ejection port biting you, throw your rifle up to your shoulder and see where you are on that buttstock- there should be a good 3-4 inches between the the tail of the port and your nose- if there isn't you need to adjust your rifle and/or get used to being back further
oh yea, I forgot to mention: i'm left eye dom, left handed, and i'm coming up on 50 years shooting=all of the guns in my stable are "righties" and I have NEVER BEEN BURNED by hot brass
oh yea, I forgot to mention: i'm left eye dom, left handed, and i'm coming up on 50 years shooting=all of the guns in my stable are "righties" and I have NEVER BEEN BURNED by hot brass
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Thanks for the INTELLIGENT input. As for the usual "I know better than you" 'expert rants', it was to be expected. Didn't intend to start a brouhaha, especially at a time when some of the black/green guns we own(ed) are being re-classified from restricted to prohibs. That's like fiddling while Rome burns. How about a little solidarity here.
I served for twelve years when the issue rifle was the FN C1. I don't recall any major handling issues for lefties, even thought that rifle sure as hell was a dedicated right hander. I've known several American soldiers who were trained on the M-14 and none of them told me there were any lefty issues with that rifle either. All were taught the "Army" way and that was it.
And then there are the millions of lefties that were trained on the M1 Garand. I've got several manuals on the M1 and none cover left handed use.
But back to the specifics for lefties, if I may digress, this time with regard to the Ruger Mini 14. I owned a Ranch Rifle once and I'm trying to recall if it had any handling issues for lefties re: brass ejection. I read recently on the net that the Ruger manual used to warn lefties that it might be a concern.
My wife handles her right handed guns adeptly - semi-autos, revolvers, bolt actions, lever actions, whatever. The only lefty gun she owns is a pet .243 Rem 700 which I find easy to operate from the right shoulder.
A good reason for a lefty NOT to own a portsider firearm is that when the opportunity arises to use a right handed design, the muscle memory will be wrong. That could be fatal. However, since my wife is unlikely to be using an AR15/Mini 14 in a real life tactical situation, the question is moot.
I served for twelve years when the issue rifle was the FN C1. I don't recall any major handling issues for lefties, even thought that rifle sure as hell was a dedicated right hander. I've known several American soldiers who were trained on the M-14 and none of them told me there were any lefty issues with that rifle either. All were taught the "Army" way and that was it.
And then there are the millions of lefties that were trained on the M1 Garand. I've got several manuals on the M1 and none cover left handed use.
But back to the specifics for lefties, if I may digress, this time with regard to the Ruger Mini 14. I owned a Ranch Rifle once and I'm trying to recall if it had any handling issues for lefties re: brass ejection. I read recently on the net that the Ruger manual used to warn lefties that it might be a concern.
My wife handles her right handed guns adeptly - semi-autos, revolvers, bolt actions, lever actions, whatever. The only lefty gun she owns is a pet .243 Rem 700 which I find easy to operate from the right shoulder.
A good reason for a lefty NOT to own a portsider firearm is that when the opportunity arises to use a right handed design, the muscle memory will be wrong. That could be fatal. However, since my wife is unlikely to be using an AR15/Mini 14 in a real life tactical situation, the question is moot.
I've never shot a mini 14 myself. As you say, the M14/305 is no issue, other than flinging grease spots on my glasses.
Good wrap-around actual safety glasses are, I think, the most important thing, particularly with a semi auto, and especially if your face is behind the ejection port.
Regarding stock length, I found I needed to put a substantial recoil pad on the SKS, just to increase the LOP and get my nose away from the receiver. Looking forward to the adjustable stock on the AR and I hope that it's helpful for the bigger boys out there.
I suppose one could use a brass catcher. Or does that get in the way when you're shooting left handed?
Good wrap-around actual safety glasses are, I think, the most important thing, particularly with a semi auto, and especially if your face is behind the ejection port.
Regarding stock length, I found I needed to put a substantial recoil pad on the SKS, just to increase the LOP and get my nose away from the receiver. Looking forward to the adjustable stock on the AR and I hope that it's helpful for the bigger boys out there.
I suppose one could use a brass catcher. Or does that get in the way when you're shooting left handed?
- Location
- Lethbridge
As a fellow lefty, the only thing I really want in my AR is an ambi safety (thumb off, trigger finger on), ambi mag release, and ambi cocking handle in that order of importance. Having the brass eject left or right isn't really an issue for me, although having the gasses vent away from your face is nice with the lefty upper.
I've tried the RR lefty lower, and hated it. Everything was suddenly in the wrong place. That's a training issue, but if you suddenly need to borrow an AR to finish a match you'll be hooped.
Lefty upper = good. Lefty lower = bad.
I've tried the RR lefty lower, and hated it. Everything was suddenly in the wrong place. That's a training issue, but if you suddenly need to borrow an AR to finish a match you'll be hooped.
Lefty upper = good. Lefty lower = bad.
like I said , the ar was designed to be ambi from the start- that's why the charging handle is a t instead of an outgrowth of the bolt- one other point i'd like to make- before you go charging off thinking your stock is too short- LOOK AT THE WAY YOU'RE DRESSED- the lop is going to be different wearing a thick hunting jacket or something with a built in recoil pad than it would be if you were in shirtsleeves
I am left handed and in the CF for the past 17 years, and have done both of the things you talked about with right handed C7. Zero problems.
Ever try shooting a right hand AR out of the left rear passenger seat?
With proper drills it is irrelevant, you are supposed to turn your body to the window not try and shoot over you chest.
There are no issues what so ever with a lefty using a righty AR and even some pluses.
1) cheaper
2) parts are cheaper
3) parts are available
4) drills are quicker, you can already see the ejection port
5) you can hit the bolt release with you index finger
Just to name a few.
Shawn
The majority of gas is coming through from the charging handle - this affects right and left handed shooters - wear proper eye protection would be my first reply to that concern.
As already indicated the drills shooting right or left affects right and left handed shooters equally - unless one is completely adept at shooting completely ambi.
I've been shooting ARs since that first familiarization shoot when the C7s were introduced - so what, over 25 years?
Even in standard configuation, I would not want a left port.
With simple upgrades like an ambi safety and mag release, the standard AR layout offers a distinct advantage to lefties...
Lots of lefties here who shoot a left port model, and while that is cool for them, I'm guessing not one practices IAs and Stopages...and most very likely not on the clock....
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Shawn and Peter get it...preaching to the choir!
I have been shooting AR's for about 20+ years and have NEVER had a single piece of brass hit me in the face. There is not a single thing wrong with the AR as Eugene Stoner designed it. The single biggest problem with left hand AR is when you want to sell it, nobody wants it.
Absolutely. Complete waste of time. I do not even bother to add ambi controls to my AR's because I have no issues manipulating them with the left hand.
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Thanks again, guys! I really appreciate the 'been-there-done-that' comments from guys who shoot beyond fun and games.
In any case, my lady has entered the world of the 'Black Gun' - but not for long! She has a long list of "Muddy Girl" add-ons and accessories - sling, rifle case, etc., etc., for her S&W MP AR 15 Sport model. Matched up with her PINK Blade tech 1911 holster and mag pouches, she's going to make a fashion statement. "Bling!"
Now the learning curve is going to start, learning how to shoot this new rifle. We're both experienced CAS and IPSC shooters, but this is a new game for us. We've both been watching three gun videos as I have something to learn here as well.
Any and all tips and advice solicited! Like recommended mag pouches for her.
In any case, my lady has entered the world of the 'Black Gun' - but not for long! She has a long list of "Muddy Girl" add-ons and accessories - sling, rifle case, etc., etc., for her S&W MP AR 15 Sport model. Matched up with her PINK Blade tech 1911 holster and mag pouches, she's going to make a fashion statement. "Bling!"
Now the learning curve is going to start, learning how to shoot this new rifle. We're both experienced CAS and IPSC shooters, but this is a new game for us. We've both been watching three gun videos as I have something to learn here as well.
Any and all tips and advice solicited! Like recommended mag pouches for her.
Like I posted earlier...this hasn't been my experience. When I shot my lefty AR, I definitely inhaled a lot less gas than when shooting my right handed AR's...I can tell because I get a wicked headache when I inhale a lot of gas...though that's not scientific by any means.
This. I'm a lefty, left eye dom and I've done quite a bit of dynamic shooting civi side and while playing soldier all day every day and I MUCH prefer a RH AR over a LH one (I've used both). You can see the chamber, stoppages are better rectified when in the workspace as you can see exactly what is going on, crawling prone keeps ejection port up so nothing gets dragged in there. That's just to name a few. If you take contact in a vehicle and need some quick rounds downrange a few pieces of brass in the face is negligible when you've got rounds cracking by your vehicle.
also, holding an AR by the magwell = doing it wrong so you shouldn't have your fingers in there in the first place. Also if she ever goes to pick up a RH rifle, drills are different. We lefties live in a RH world but in the case of AR's, I firmly believe we have the advantage using the RH setup.
Rainier Arms makes a fantastic ambi charging handle that eliminates that issue. I have one, but again when the heat is on I revert back to muscle memory and charge underneath in case I've picked up one without an ambi handle.
For casual shooting at the range on a sunny day, to each his own, but this is how I train. I'm a firm believer in "if you're going to do a thing, do it right and to the best of your ability", otherwise whats the point. Just my 2 cents.
wayupnorth
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northern Alberta
i have 2 ARs, 1 mini 14 and 1 M305 and have shot countless others.
only one AR has ever hit me in the face.... and of course its one that i own!
for some reason my one AR consistently fires the brass straight back hitting me in the right cheek all the time.
wife always laughs when i come home with one cheek all red.
i found a quick and easy fix for it last summer when i was at Cabela's.
i picked up a brass catcher.
problem solved.
only one AR has ever hit me in the face.... and of course its one that i own!
for some reason my one AR consistently fires the brass straight back hitting me in the right cheek all the time.
wife always laughs when i come home with one cheek all red.
i found a quick and easy fix for it last summer when i was at Cabela's.
i picked up a brass catcher.
problem solved.
wayupnorth
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northern Alberta
opps i should have specified, left handed shooter, AR is set up right handed.
