Left handed guns?

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DocShay

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Hey guys,

New here so I don't have much experiance handleing firearms. I see when I look around at some websites they have "left handed guns" and "right handed guns"

From the looks of what i've seen and held thus far, which isnt very much TBH - Most guns seem pretty symmetrical on both sides. Now, i'm a born righty for *everything* it seems, except guns. Is there that much of a difference between left handed guns and right? Are they only particular ones?

I plan on buying a handgun in the near future, used for cost purposes - but it seems everyone i've come across shoots right. Is this going to be a problem?

Thanks,

Shay
 
Im a lefty, and actually find it easier to manipulate both pistols and my AR's with my left hand, as opposed to right-handed manipulation. I hit the slide stop with the index finger of my left hand while pulling back the slide with my right while the gun is pointed downrange, it is a very natural movement. I wouldn't sweat it. Practice a bit, you will become proficient in no time.
:cheers:
 
Thanks for that info, I was definitely having a heck of a time with slide stop during my practical. I'll keep that information stored for when I handle firearms next time!
 
im very new to the scene too and thought it might be an issue for me. after much looking and handling, i went with a SW M&P 40 that comes standard with left or right mag release and three different size grips. this also is availble in 9 and 45 cal. to be honest, i havent changed the MR to the left handed postion as it works very well as is. very very happy with my choice of toy. i also have used my buddies cz shadow and 1911 sparten with no problems. dont sweat the left man... no big deal. have fun and be safe.
 
i'm a dom left eye and left handed - in other words , a true southpaw- and the only time i'm at a disadvantage is when i'm using a right handed bolt- been at this game since 1970, and even mastered reloads on a d/a revolver- to use the right handled bolt, i use the heel of my left and the pinkie and 3rd digits- some of the pistols, like the 1911 and the colt single action army are actually designed LEFT HANDED- being meant for cavalry and the SABER being the primary, therefore carried in the right hand- that's why the loading gate is on the right recoil shield in the colt saa, and everything but the safety on the 1911 can be manipulated with the left index finger- it's also "rumored" that jmb was a southpaw
 
If you are just starting out, you will find that handguns are seldom available in LH versions (I can't think of one at the moment) but some do have ambidextous essential controls - the safety being the most critical. Most fire perfectly well LH or RH, but getting from a safe condition to fire with a safety on the left side of the frame held in your right hand is, well, challenging. SA and DA revolvers of course are less unfriendly, but reloads can be slow. Glock's safe action solve the lefty's problem with the safety, but slide relase takes some practice.

In bolt action rifles, I struggled with Rh bolts until I bought my first LH bolt. Now, all bolt rifle purchases are LH! The difference is beyond words.
 
Controls on many semi-autos I've seen can be swapped around to suit a lefty. My first pistol - a '92 Beretta - was so altered. It even shot point of aim when holding it left. I had to swap the mag release back over, but never got around to drifting the sights back. From what I understand, S&W autos can also be rigged lefty.

I shoot my SAA Pietta clone exclusively left handed, and did so with my Colt when I owned it. They were indeed built as a left hand only weapon with the sabre as the right hand weapon. That's the reverse of my choices, but whatever. If you look square on at the muzzle of a Single Action Army, you will notice that the front sight is off to the right a tad. They shoot bang on to POI when fired one handed unsupported.

I've had to shoot left handed for the last four and a half years due to a bizarre handicap that developed in my right elbow. It's been quite an education having to shoot non-dominant side. And I really grew to dislike bolt actions, so I totally agree with the guy above me there, spring the few extra bucks for a lefty action if you MUST have a bolt.
 
There are designs made ambi - Smith & Wesson MP, Grand Power K100, HK P2000 come to mind. Others are semi ambi - they have ambi mag release; Ruger SR9, Springfield XD. They have value if you use the 'slingshot' method of reloading (see 135 seconds)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmNjcubxfQA


Still others are parts addable lefty friendly, like the 1911. You can add ambi mag release, ambi safety and ambi slide release (although those are rare). If you have an extended mag release in a 1911, you can use your trigger finger to close the slide.
 
Deckard said:
There are designs made ambi - Smith & Wesson MP, Grand Power K100, HK P2000 come to mind. Others are semi ambi - they have ambi mag release; Ruger SR9, Springfield XD. They have value if you use the 'slingshot' method of reloading (see 135 seconds)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmNjcubxfQA


Still others are parts addable lefty friendly, like the 1911. You can add ambi mag release, ambi safety and ambi slide release (although those are rare). If you have an extended mag release in a 1911, you can use your trigger finger to close the slide.
Click to expand...

you don't NEED an ambi mag release or an ambi slide stop( the proper name for what you call a slide release- those two items are quite adequately operated by the INDEX FINGER , LEFT HAND, nor do you need the extended version- somebodys been trying to SELL you upgrades- all that's required is the ambi safety- it all depends on WHO taught you to run the gun- in the service, the recruit is taught to run everything with the right thumb, which is what makes it awkward and out of position when running the slide or mag relaease- that's why there's an EXTENDED slide stop on mine- it puts the end of the lever right over the grip, easily reachable by RIGHT THUMB-howver, being a lefty, i never use it, but my original one broke ( the ckip on the end that holds the slide back) and NICKEL is not easy to come by, so i got a wilson stainless-which only came in extended at the time- and , as you watch the video, see how he PIVOTS the gun out of position to operate the controls- or uses the other hand- now, he wouldn;t have to do that if he had the extended stop on the 1911, however, some people ride the thing up and get jams- now , if you happen to get a left handed instructor or one of the cavalry types( there are navy types too) that still teach pistol as secondary, you will see the "other " method-
 
Potatoe - potatow. Assuming you're talking about 1911s, the safety is all you need - correct. Some say that the index finger is better suited for mag release than spinning the pistol (for some) and using the thumb. I would not consider military ideas about how lefties use firearms as hugely relevant - and yes, I know the details. ;)
 
Im right hander with a dominate left eye and have been shooting left for over 35 years with righthanded firearms. Got used to it and is as natural as breathing now.
 
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