[CB900F]

Fellow Lefties;

I'm going to get an AR platform in the near future. Based upon what I read in the American Rifleman, & what I see on the website, I'm leaning towards the Stag Arms dedicated left platform.

The prices certainly don't seem out of line compared to other quality manufacturers of the AR system. But, what's the experience of other user's who've had actual experience with Stag?

Or, are there other viable alternatives? If so, what are they?

Oh, and I'm not new to firearms, or the AR as far as that goes. My experience comes from having been in the U.S. Army 1965 - 68. I'm aware that the platform has been improved upon since those days, but saw no reason to own one myself until I heard of the Stag. So, user opinions please.

900F

[rangerruck]

stag arms actually makes a lot of stuff for other mfgrs.

[mmike87]

The opinion from the "left" is that no one should be able to own assault rifles.

Sorry, couldn't resist. :neener:

[Shear_stress]

If there is no cost penalty to a left-friendly AR, go for it. At the very least, you'll be the only one on your block with one.

On the other hand, as a lefty, I've had no trouble with my standard configuration AR. The integral brass deflector does a good job keeping the empties out of my face, if that's a concern. The only concession I made to my sinister nature was to swap in an ambidextrous safety.

[Raygun]

I think DPMS makes a left-side ejecting upper as well, though Stag's looked a little nicer to me. I've never owned any Stag stuff (as far as I'm aware) but with the kind of positive things I keep hearing about them, I'd give serious consideration to using their stuff should I decide to build another AR.

That said, I'm a southpaw and I use a standard right-side ejecting AR. I did the same thing Shear_stress did, just put in an ambi safety. No problems yet.

The other thing I was concerned about when thinking about buying a lefty AR was resale value. A righty AR you can sell without problems. A lefty is a kind of niche market thing that might give you trouble. But then, it might not. In any case, I didn't see any need to buy the lefty.

[Ironballs]

an AR for the Left, hmm, less offensive looking, maybe like these:

[Detritus]

as for quality Stag is the house brand for Continental Machine tool, who produces the forgings for amoung others Rock River. the only complaints i have ever heard about Stags had to do with the stag image on the magwell being so large, and some folks, that want a gun that differs from an M-16/M-4 only in not having the full auto parts and attendent pin hole, complain that the stag isn't milled out at the rear of the FCG/takedown pin area like "the real thing"

for the record i own a Stag lower and plan to buy another for my next build, but have no experience with ANY of the uppers right or left handed. so i can not speak to any of that.

[Rob1035]

stag is good quality from what i've seen, and as a lefty, i wouldnt bother with the left hand specific stuff save for an ambi safety. Stock ARs are fine for me left hand, no issues other than awkward safety engagment.

[ny32182]

As a lefty, I find the normal configuration of the AR to be just fine. I hit the mag release with my right thumb as I use that hand to remove the mag, and then use my trigger finger to hit the bolt catch to chamber a new round.

I reach around the grip with my left thumb to operate the selector, and while this is somewhat of a pain, I haven't been motivated to go get ambi-safeties yet.

My main motivation for sticking with the RH version is that the AR is my primary "serious" rifle of choice, and I want to be familiar with the platform without thinking, no matter what AR I happen to pick up.

[dm1333]

Ny 32182 hit the nail on the head. I use the AR the same way and have no problems with it, and no matter what AR I pick up I know I don't have to make adjustments. I hated the M16A1 with the cheesy brass deflector for lefties but have never had a problem with the A2.

[dmftoy1]

Another lefty here . . :)

+1 for standard version with ambi-safety.

I've had no problems with the Stag Lower's that I've built AR's on.

Regards,
Dave

[geekWithA.45]

Another AR-15 toting lefty here...the platform works for me, as is. I see no need to get special parts, not even the ambi safety.

[Dave Markowitz]

The only thing I added to my Colt AR-15A3 to make it more southpaw friendly was an ambi safety from DPMS.

[NMshooter]

Try shooting an AR with the integral brass deflector before getting that rifle.

You may find it to be just what you wanted.

[CB900F]

Fella's;

Currently I have no AR platform, & the last time I handled one was quite some time ago. Since I expect to buy the whole enchilada, why not go left? It certainly doesn't seem to cost any more. Why try the ergonomicaly incorrect off-side versions & hope it'll work, when a specific product is made for me/us? Yeah, I can understand if you're left handed & bought an AR platform before Stag started production, but from scratch? Why bother?

So, Stag owners, what's your experience?

900F

[taliv]

<-- lefty and no problems out of the box with any of my ARs. i don't use a safety on rifles, so i don't bother with the ambi on an AR.

the only problems i've had which have caused me to consider a left-handed upper are with the single-feed stage of the high-power matches. lefties are at a disadvantage because we've got to get out of position between every shot, while the dextrous don't.

[chopinbloc]

hate to be a wet blanket but my lady friend did have some minor issues with a lefty stag upper i bought for her. out of the box it just refused to run right. she took it to a 'smith to see if there was a simple solution before sending it back to the factory and he switched out the gas rings and added an extra power extractor spring. that seemed to do the trick. it runs fine now with m855. looks to be 100% with that ammo but she hasn't had enough rounds through it yet to be certain. it still doesn't like s&b or olympic 55gr ball but that's not particularly surprising as that ammo probably isn't generating near the pressure as the nato stuff. in any case, the upper in question is their limited edition m4 style. to their credit, the gentleman at stag that i sent an e-mail to told me it was absolutely unacceptable for their product not to function properly out of the box and to send it back. after i advised him of the solution we found, he told me we could send it back at any time if it developed a problem again. while he didn't SAY that the service would be free, it was implied and i feel confident that if there is a continuing problem, they'll make it right. hope this helps.