First [ambidextrous] pistol?

[GunnySkox]

Hey, ev'rybody,

I did a little digging, and came up with not-all-that-much in the search function for ambidextrous pistols; I probably just didn't dig hard enough, but please bear with me.

I'm thinking about begging my dad for a handgun (I'm 17; he claims if I get a 1500+ [I got a 1450 in June] on the SAT in Octrober, he'll purchase me a handgun, and give it to me when I leave for College) but am having a rather hard time finding a good piece that's of moderate price (I'm thinking about six hundred's as high as I'd like to go) and, more importantly, completely ambidextrous.

Let me explain what I mean by "completely ambidextrous"; I mean, all three primary controls (safety/decocker, magazine release, slide-stop/slide release) must be either on both sides, or be switchable from one side to the other.

So far, I've been looking at the following, and would like to know others' opinions of them:

H&K USP (any caliber; fullsize or compact) - As for ambidexterity, I'm told you can swap the safety lever, and purchase an ambidextrous version of the slide-release;

CZ-85 - Everyone I've asked has had good things to say about CeeZees

Bersa Thunder (9, 40, 45) - I know that at least one variant is ambidextrous, but don't know about the rest; additionally, I've heard mostly good things about them

Input is greatly appreciated...

~Slam_Fire

[NMshooter]

I shoot pistol either handed (ambidextrous), and I have found the Glock the most left hand friendly for me. YMMV.

[WEPS]

well the beretta 92fs is completely ambidextrous. the only thing you would have to move is the mag release (which is quite easy). beretta's normaly go for about 500.00 to 600.00 dollars depending on where you go.

[El Rocoso]

How about a revolver? I'm a southpaw and they work just fine. In a mid-level price range, a Ruger GP-100 or an SP-101 are great and pretty versatile.

[Standing Wolf]

How about the Thompson-Center Contender? The standard stocks are for north paws, but south paw stocks have always been available.

[hksw]

well the beretta 92fs is completely ambidextrous.

:confused:

How is the slide released in a left handed hold?

[DWS1117]

One of the employees at my favorite gun shop is a southpaw. He carries a Beretta 92 a good part of the time. He operates the slide release with the left index finger. With practice it would be as natural a motion as using your thumb in your right hand. I have seen him operate Sigs and CZs using the same method.

[robear]

I am left-handed also and operate the slide release with my left index finger.. I release the mag with my left middle finger.. It's nothing I was ever taught, just something that came naturally..

I like it because I don't have to adjust my grip at all to operate either control.. (I have small hands)

R

[thebaldguy]

Ruger P series are ambi pistols except for the slide release and won't break the bank. Or your dad's bank that is. The left handed people I know use their index finger on the slide release. One option may be racking the slide to the rear instead of using the slide release. I think you may have problems finding one that is totally ambidextrous at a totally reasonable price.

[10-Ring]

I've most ambi pistol I've ever encountered is the HK P7M8 ;)

[9mmepiphany]

that was my first thought too. the hk p7 family is fully ambi in fuction.

1. the cocker/decocker is a simple squeeze or release
2. the slide release is the same simple sqeeze
3. the mag release does not need to be switched from one side to another as it is already on both sides (on the m8/m13) or heel mounted (psp)

plus you get a full 4" barrel in a compact package and unsupassed accuracy and reliability of a fixed barrel.

dad's budget can cover the gap :cuss:

[DMF]

FN-HP/DA has a truly ambixtrous decocker, and the mag release can be switched.

Link to full size Fabrique Nationale HP-DA (http://www.fnhusa.com/contents/hg_hpda.htm)

Link to Fabrique Nationale HP-DA Compact (http://www.fnhusa.com/contents/hg_hpda_compact.htm)

They also make them in DA only. These have been around for a while, but unfortunately FN released them just as the AWB went into affect, and as the 9mm started to see a decline in popularity. No full capacity mags, and only being available in 9mm didn't help their US sales at all.

If you are interested CDNN Investments usually has some available at great prices. The compact has a 10 round capacity, but the full size is 15 so hopefully with the end of the AWB the full capacity mags will soon be available in the US.

It's been a while since I looked, but last time I looked the DA/SA version was $340, and DAO was $300. That's brand new.

I keep saying I'm going to get one, but I already have too many 9mm pistols.

[gbelleh]

HK P7 or HK P2000 are the most ambidextrous pistols I've ever seen. And they need no modification. They are a bit above your price by one or two hundred dollars, but might be worth it to you to save a little more.

[Andrew Wyatt]

1911 with an ambi magazine release and safety

[WEPS]

HKSW

you got me, i forgot about the slide stop. shouldn't matter anyway's it's easy to manipulate with either hand left or right .

[Bainx]

Charles Daly 1911 [aka ChuckieD] is ambi in most models. Takes all the hassle away! The controls on mine work great and after some polishing/spring change the gun is a screamer.
Also, you should consider the Taurus PT92 rather than the Italian make.
It has truly ambi controls and can be carried 'cocked and locked'.

[Aikibiker]

As a south paw myself I prefer to use my middle and index fingers to operate the magazine release and slide release respectively. I feel this to be the best technique for me. Lately I have started using my support hand to rack the slide on my pistol ignoring the slide release altogether.

Personally I advise a trip to your local gunshop and lots of time spent fondling the different pistols in your price range with ambi-safeties. Check your ability to manipulate the controls. A pistol that works for someone else may not work at all for you. For instance Sigs are generally considered very lefty friendly. However I can't seem to work any of the controls on one left handed. My fingers are just to long to get all the way back to hit the slide release or hammer drop lever on your typical Sig Saur pistol. My H&K USP45c though fits me very well. I can easily manipulate the slide and magazine release levers with my index and middle fingers. Go see what works for you inside your price range and remember to check the used case for good deals.

[sm]

Agree with revolver idea.

I subscribe to the idea learning to shoot a revolver in DA properly will make one a better shooter no matter what other platform one may go to in a semi. Not ammo dependent, and not dependent on magazines. A Quality OLDER S&W K frame, 3" RB is a very fine defensive weapon. Similar offerings in Ruger and Colts...

Use the money NOT going for mags - for more important stuff, like training, holsters, and the like.

Of course I don't do ambi safeties on 1911's - I learned to snick that sucker off when I was taught how to shoot one as a kid....I'm real particular about reliable - so anything that "might" fail ....I don't want. I don't want ambi's personally.

IMNSHO

[Sheldon]

Personally I think it may be a little overkill to "have" to have all the controls mentioned interchangeable to the opposite side to accomodate a left handed shooter. I am left handed and have no problem using my left index finger to manipulate the slide release and mag release of a 1911. I do need an ambi thumb safety though. Quite frankly I think my mag drops lefthanded are easier than for a right hander as I don't need an extended mag release or paddle style or even shift the pistol at all. Same goes for the slide lock/release. Now there are pistol designs that don't work for a lefty as easily as the 1911.....the Sigs controls are an example that comes to mind. The decocker and slide release are too far back for me to operate left handed.....which is why I don't own any Sigs. Don't lock yourself into limiting your selections soley based on how ambidextrous it is.....try it out and see if it works for you.

[Sheldon]

.......Sorry for the double post.

[BluesBear]

I was naturally a left -handed shooter. I later taught myself to shoot right handed because of the difficulty in sometimes finding good lefthanded holsters.

I learned to shoot a 1911A1 left handed. I had very little trouble operation all of the controls. The thumb safety did take a little bit of manuvering to operate was really no problem.

Having said that, whan Colt came out with an amberdexterious safety I jumped on them and have never looked back.
All of my Colt automatics to this day are immediately fitted with the same style safety as soon as they are brought home.

I have never felt the need to change anything else for it to be useable left handed.

[MICHAEL T]

Iam a lefty nd have no trouble with the 1911 ambi-safety nice but not really needed. Just takes a little practice on your part. The world was not made for left handed people so adapt .:D

[TK73]

...but I always thought that the control levers llike the slide stop and magazine release button or lever of a Colt 1911 or Browning Hi-Power (or S&W or Beretta or CZ or HK USP...) are actually much more user friendly to the left-handed shooter, as she/he can depress the slide stop and magazine release with her/his left index finger without changing his shooting grip. Right handers normally are forced to alter their grip in order to properly reach the slide stop or to depress the magazine release. If there's an ambidextrous safety installed the left-handed shooter actually has a left hand friendly sidearm in any gun model made by aforesaid manufacturers.

There are but a couple of guns which don't seem as left-hand friendly like the SIG-Sauer P220- or P239-series, because of the location of the slide release behind the decocking lever.

[GunnySkox]

Many thanks for all the replies (oddly, I typed "supplies" in three times before I got "replies" right..)

I'm gonna open up a Text file here in a sec and take note of all the suggestions, and try out as many as I can if/when I make a 1500 on ye olde SAT.

Thank'ee again,

~Slam_Fire