Left handed AR15 Question

Complete uppers swap back and forth with no issues.

As for specific parts in the upper (bolt, bolt carrier, etc) I have no idea.

Although, I have to ask, why buy a southpaw gun if you're going to put a standard upper on it? I fire from the wrong shoulder and have no issues, as long as its an A2/3 upper with the brass deflector. I found it necessary to add a 9mm brass deflector and port door to my .22 as well.

edit: The one issue I have with the AR15 is the bolt catch being just out of reach, and the southpaw stags don't fix that issue.

Nothing wrong with a lefty buying a left handed AR if he wants to, I have one and it works just fine. I also have 2 right handed AR's but have no problem buying a lefty if I want to. The only difference for me is that if I want to have a spare Bolt carrier, it has to be a left handed bolt carrier and that is no problem either with at least 3 lefty manufacturers out there..

There is nothing "lefty" about the lower on a left-handed AR. The only differences are the upper, bolt, BCG and barrel extension. I personally don't see the point of a left-handed AR, and I'm left handed. The things that actually NEED to be changed to better accommodate a left-handed shooter aren't and the changes that are made are to no real effect. The upper needs to have the charging handle reversed and the lower should have the bolt catch and mag release reversed. This would, of course require different mags. Without those changes, particularly the charging handle, a "lefty" AR is a gimmick that you pay a premium for. No, thanks.

Just put an ambi safety on an off the shelf AR and rock it from either shoulder.

helotaxi said:

There is nothing "lefty" about the lower on a left-handed AR. The only differences are the upper, bolt, BCG and barrel extension. I personally don't see the point of a left-handed AR, and I'm left handed. The things that actually NEED to be changed to better accommodate a left-handed shooter aren't and the changes that are made are to no real effect. The upper needs to have the charging handle reversed and the lower should have the bolt catch and mag release reversed. This would, of course require different mags. Without those changes, particularly the charging handle, a "lefty" AR is a gimmick that you pay a premium for. No, thanks.

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+1. The righty ejection doesn't bother me and I shoot a Colt SP1 slickside. The lack of a lefty bolt release and mag release does.

And I repeat again, if a lefty wants a left handed AR, that is for him to decide. If the brass flies out on the left side instead of the right side, that's ok with me. I have 3 AR's and I don't mind at all which way the brass flows, haven't been hit yet but if a lefty is available and the guy wants it, go ahead and buy it... that garbage also about it is hard to sell is complete BS, there are a lot of lefties out there to buy them if we ever decide to get rid of them.

It always amazes me how right handed folks always tell southpaws that they don't need a left handed gun. That's the type of thinking that has keep the industry from making a larger variety of left handed firearms, both long and short guns.

Personally, I date back to the original M-16, no case deflector or fancy devices to help chamber sticky rounds. And, I still have a scar where a hot piece of brass lodged between my face and my glasses. Add that to getting hot brass down the back of your shirt, and you quickly begin to cuss righthanded firearms designers.

Please let us southpaws use left handed guns in peace. There aren't that many left handed guns, or left handed shooters, so we aren't going to rise up and insist that right handed folks use left handed guns. Though that might be kinda a fun thing to see.

I'm a lefty and I say if you want a lefty AR upper buy it.
However, in my opinion, there's no need to, it's a total waste of money and you loose far more than you gain here's why:

In basic with my M16A1, I needed to remember to request a plastic shell deflector that was held in place by the carry handle or I had hot brass down my BDUs! Ever since the M16 A2, there is no need for a "lefty" AR.

The A2 upper receiver has a shell deflector built in to the right side of the receiver (that aluminum wedge behind the ejection port). this will kick the brass out to somewhere between 4 and 2 o'clock. So you can fire from either shoulder without getting a face full of brass.

The controls on an AR are laid out so that almost all can be accessed with the left index finger (see photos below). All you need add is an ambi magazine release to make it unanimous. There are a bunch out there. I have the Troy unit installed as it is the least obtrusive. They take about 5 minutes to install, including reading the directions.

By going this route you have access to premium mill spec bolts and bolt carriers and charging handles from the top manufacturers via hundreds of sources and can scavenge these parts from any armory if need be. You also will develop "muscle memory" and learn a manual of arms that will work with any AR you happen to pick up.

I am a righty that shoots left handed due to eye dominance. The first AR I built up was a left handed Stag. While I like the idea of a left handed AR, it isn't really necessary, but if you want one you should get one. Even with the shell deflector, having he brass eject to the left is a nice feature. With that said, the shell deflector does work and will keep the brass out of your face should you decide to shoot a right handed AR. By the way all of my other AR's are right handed models.

One thing to keep in mind is that the best optic mount for the AR is from LaRue Tactical and it won't work well on a left handed AR as the mounting bolts won't allow the dust shield to fully open. The LaRue mount is not reversible. My left handed AR wears a set of ARMS mounts instead.

If you shoot lefty get a Norgon ambi mag release as well as an ambi safety.

At the end of the day the choice is yours. I am happy with my Stag lefty model but I am just as happy with my right handed AR's.

CB

And still none of the "lefty" mods address the charging handle. There are some "ambi" charging handles out there, but they work differently for the right and left hand and aren't as ergonomic for a lefty. I would actually consider buying a left handed upper if it came with a truly left handed version of a good charging handle like a Gunfighter. As it is, I'm considering a side-charger with the charging handle on the right side (channel cut under the brass deflector) as a solution to that issue.

Everything else I find works out better for me, as a lefty, on a standard AR. NRA prone might change my mind a little bit, but since a left-handed rifle is not used in the military, I'll have to make do shooting Service Rifle. Just like everything else, adapt and overcome.

As long as the ejection pattern is controlled, semi-autos are pretty lefty friendly on the whole.

It always amazes me how right handed folks always tell southpaws that they don't need a left handed gun. That's the type of thinking that has keep the industry from making a larger variety of left handed firearms, both long and short guns.

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First off, most of the feedback in this thread seems to be coming from southpaws.

Second, one reason you don't see many southpaws guns is because only ten percent of us are wrong handed. And, as you can see from the replies in this thread, a lot of us don't have any issues firing from the wrong shoulder.

Third, I was simply asking why put a right handed upper on a southpaw lower. Kinda defeats the purpose:/

I mentioned my lack of problems with a standard AR because a lot of folks think that since they're left handed, and the make a LH AR, they need a LH AR.

There aren't that many left handed guns, or left handed shooters, so we aren't going to rise up and insist that right handed folks use left handed guns. Though that might be kinda a fun thing to see.

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You should see me try to breech load a southpaw 870...

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=548

ACTUALLY ROCK RIVER ARMS HAS THE MOST COMPLETE LEFT HANDED AR AVAILABLE. LOWER IS COMPLETELY LEFT HANDED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE MAG RELEASE (AMBI, TOO MANY MAGS FLOATING AROUND), EVEN THE SIGHT KNOBS ARE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. IT EVEN HAS LEFT HAND TWIST RIFLING. JP

^^^The charging handle is still a modified right handed charging handle.

Maybe I'm missing something but what's the big problem with the charging handle? I use a BCM Gunfighter #3 with slight anti pinch mod.

With my left hand on the pistol grip and finger indexed I just cant the rifle clockwise and run the charging handle back with the palm heel of my right hand. this is my (relatively!) fast method. Also, the whipping cant motion timed with the pull on the CH + gravity helps to clear anything that you want out of the breech.

Or, with my right hand on the handguards/lower receiver, I can charge it using the index finger of my left hand. This works great for inspecting the ejection port breech area and/or locking back the bolt carrier without having to switch hands.

Lefties have the advantage of being able to manipulate all of the AR controls with their left hand while inspecting all of the moving parts on the right side with far less motion than a righty and have gravity be their friend when clearing a round or debris from the chamber ejection port area, all while not breaking a strong side firing position.

Of course, this goes all kittywumpus with a lefty + a lefty AR.

So my conclusion is: the only person who would benefit from a lefty AR would be a right handed person

helotaxi said:

^^^The charging handle is still a modified right handed charging handle.

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How about these from Parabellum Armament Co.?

I'm a lefty, and I've got a LH Stag. Is it necessary to have one since I'm LH? Heck no. Did I want it? Heck yes. Could I afford it? (Despite what my wife would say) Heck yes.

Are there really advantages to it that the others don't allow? Probably not. Am I happy I have one? Sure am if only because it's what I wanted and it's what I got.

steven58 said:

I use a BCM Gunfighter #3 with slight anti pinch mod.

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Can you post a pic/decribe the mod? I had to do the same on my BCM and wonder if we had the same issues. It was a serious finger pincher in stock form. It looks like crap now but at least it doesn't make me cry like a girl.

Gus McCrae said:

Um you guys do realize that the posters of #4 and #6 are both LEFT handed shooters correct?
From #4:


#6:

Which would lead me to believe that he is left handed as well.


So which right handed folks were you refering to?

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Not aiming it necessarily at anyone posting on this particular thread. Just an observation from years of experience.

Heck, back in basic the Sarge ask who were lefthanded shooters. I told him I was, he ask what hand I wrote with, and I told him my right. His response, was I was now a righthanded shooter. Yea, I qualified. But I likely would have done better if I hadn't had to shoot abour 80% of the course with my "OFF" hand.

I'm left handed and have a Stag Model 2L. If I were to get another I'd likely get a stripped lower and use an ambi safety with a standard upper. I have no regrets on getting the Stag though, I like to reward companies for good behavior.

1K,
Here's the "mod". Actually about 15 min with a couple of files. I just beveled it until it wouldn't pinch me.

Thanks for the pics. That's pretty much what I ended up doing but yours looks more professional.

Unistat said:

How about these from Parabellum Armament Co.?

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I like the ambidextrous charging handle on the left.