Lefty Pistol question?

F

frozenbolt

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Alberta
Hi everyone,
I am thinking of getting a pistol and am looking for a few unbiased tips.
First of all I am not very familiar with any kind of hand gun (I have shot a few at the range).
Second as a lefty there must be certain models that are more left friendly than others.
Third calibre, I was thinking either 9mm or 40 S&W.
Anything else that I should consider?
Thanks in advance to everyone for your suggestions, input and tips.
 
There are some very nice "lefty friendly" pistols out there...the Springfield Armory XD series is one, and the Smith & Wesson M&P is another. The XD has an ambi-mag release as standard, and the M&P's mag release is easily reversed to the other side, and has an ambi-slide release already installed.
 
I vote for the .40S&W over the 9mm. Especially if you reload. 9mm being smaller, will cramp up your fingers! Besides, the 40 is becoming more and more popular and it packs a bigger thump than the old 9mil.

Most pistols are lefty friendly, safeties and slide releases can be operated with ease. There is a multitude of nice pistols, you are only limmited by your budget and the number of firearms your wife will let you buy.

Rule of thumb, for every two firearms you buy, you buy your wife a gift. The more expensive the firearm, the more you spend on her gift.

One your collection starts getting large, you can sneak more guns in without her noticing and you can then stop buying her gifts and thus have more money to spend on guns. After 30 years of married life, I am somewhat of an expert. LOL
 
I'm a lefty as well, and I ended up with an HK USP because the control lever (safety/decocker) can be switched to the right hand side of the pistol for operation by lefties, and I don't have any problem working the slide release with my index finger.

I'd recommend 9mm if you're new to handguns - better yet, .22 - it's a great caliber for gaining confidence and pistol control.

good luck.
 
I'm not left handed, but I have shot quite a few guns left handed with no trouble. If I can do it with my non-dominate hand, I'm sure a lefty can do even easier.

I'd say 9mm too. Especially if this is your first gun...9mm ammo is cheap, and the more ammo you can afford the more you'll shoot and the better you'll get!
 
Last edited:
Unbiased advice from us lefties? No chance!:D
However, if you are intending to actually become a good shot you need a 22 or a very big wallet!! You will put 5000 rounds down range this year if you practice :eek: and 22s are affordable:)
Lots of models work well for a leftie but make sure you buy one that fits your hand, never mind the ideas of what is cool or other people like.
My choice S&W Model 41 teamed up with a 1911 in 45 (why play with those little 9s and 40s?):) :)
At the end of the day just jump in, join a club and go shoot, it is the only way

Guy
 
I'm a lefty and I haven't found anything that i have a hard time shooting yet. A lot of the time I can't reach the slide release with my left index finger but so far with everything except my Ruger MKIII I just racked the slide to chamber the first round. Ambidextrous and reversible controls seem to be coming more and more popular.
I think a .22 is a good starter (believe me, everyone ends up with one eventually). Failing that, buy a Glock or a 1911 with a .22 conversion kit, then you get the best of both worlds.
On a side note, revolvers are great no matter which hand you shoot with.
 
Southpaw Brother

Lookie here fellow lefty. All I can say is Adapt and Overcome! Yes you can buy left handed bolt action rifles, shotguns and even pistols with ambidextrous functions etc.

BUT FOR A PRICE.

My experience has been to always use the common stream right handed designed firearm (Excluding those with right handed designed hand grips and butt stocks) and simply overcome the perceived disadvantages. I say perceived because with practice and patience I could usually outshoot 80 to 90 percent of my right handed army buddies.

You would be surprised at how fast and easily you can perform left handed tasks such as when drawing your 9mm auto up to fire, you can do the hand switch. Use your right hand when bringing the weapon up, take the safety off the righty way, then as you bring the right hand and gun together with your left hand for the two-handed combat grip, switch the gun from your right hand to your left and then complete the combat stance. Right hand palm cupping the bottom of your gun hand grip and left hand. Double tap.

Sounds like a long process, but trust me it's almost as fast as a righty. Once you get comfortable with adapting, then work on hitting your target. So lots of dry training. Well you don't have to. If your life depended on it (Police, or Soldier) then yes. If you can get a good amby pistol go for it.

My favourite 9mm was my old CZ-75 FULL ON RIGHTY. But I have owned a CZ-85 nine, which is an amby pistol. To be honest, I never used the Lefty functions and I shoot with Left hand, eye and stance!:evil:
 
Thanks for the responses everyone. Seems like the consensus on the other posts I have read would be to go for feel and worry about the lefty thing later. I have handled a few pistols and the Baby Eagle felt the best so far.
Next is to test drive a few. I will let you know how I make out.
 
I shoot left primarily (I shoot pistols righty too just for the fun of it).

From what I've handled there are lots of pistols that are user friendly in both directions.

Glocks, Berettas, walther P99, HK USP, Browning HP, and 1911's gave me no troubles when using.

My favourite is still my 1911 commander.

The interesting thing is with mag releases similar to the 1911 I find it much easier to push it with my middle finger shooting left than with my thumb shooting right. If I was I righty I think I would rather have it reversed.
 
Went to Phoenix (great place,freindly and helpful) today and tried out a whack of pistols. My match is the Springfireld XD. I was told that you could wait as long a a year to get one from them. Anybody know where I could find one a little quicker?
Thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom