Suppresed AR15 - smoky face for lefty?

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Idahou

Idahou

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Im kinda hooked by DDM4 PDW in .300 Blackout and will probably go for one in summer (or figure that i really need such a expensive gun).
But with long guns im lefty (because eyes, otherwise im righ handed) and have some worries about gas escaping ejection port and blowing in my face, mostly with suppressed rifle.

Kinda figured that DDM4 PDW isnt that popular to get some insight from some left hand users so im asking in general if its problem with AR15 design

Im aware that mentioned gun have some built-in features to reduce gas blowback, also i know there is diffrence depending on calibre and specific configuration.

The thing is: here in Czech options (guns and gun parts) are limited and that applies for my budget too - MCX variants and so, are just far beyond price im willing spend on gun and i need gun witch will be more or less good to go right out the box or just by with some home adjustment

So mostly from view of comfort for shooter and fun of shooting, how big deal is gas ecaping from ejection port, on DI AR 15 with suppressor (or without if its thing too) for left handed?
 
I'm a righty but I've never really noticed gas blowback from the ejection port. I know there is some coming out of the bolt carrier vents but its going out at 90 degrees. The biggest thing I've noticed shooting suppressed with an AR15 is gas coming back through the charging handle opening. For me this is not really a problem when shooting subsonic 300 blackout, but pretty unpleasant when shooting supersonic calibers.

Maybe it would be too hard to import them but there are companies that make left hand AR15 uppers. You can also get ambidextrous safeties and magazine releases.

https://pro2a-tactical.com/left-hand-ar-15-upper-assemblies/300-blackout.html
 
Like Someguy2800 said with an AR rifle the majority of gas in your face from shooting suppressed is coming through the charging handle opening. They make special charging handles that seal that opening (gas busters) to help that issue. I dont know if the DD PDW uses one or not.

That being said you will have more gas coming out of the gas port on the BCG but not a huge amount. The majority of gas coming out of the ejection port will be coming out of the chamber itself. How much that is going to affect you as a lefty I cant tell you. But a gas busting charging handle is going to greatly reduce the gas you get directly in the face when shooting suppressed.
 
I'm left handed and I also happen to own a small herd of cans. Some are mounted on ARs and I have had zero issues with gas to the face, let alone soot. For that matter, I've never had any issue with a rifle or shotgun ejecting shells into my face. If that were to happen it would be pretty apparent to me that the gun wasn't running correctly.

There are different charging handles for the AR as mentioned, but I don't know if you can buy them where you are at. Classic Firearms recently did a great review of some of the gas-blocking charging handles on the market versus a stock version. The link to the video is here:

The guns and cans that give me the hardest time with gas are actually my pistols, particularly my Glock 19. Still haven't figured out the why on that one.
 
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Thanks guys, looks like its not gonna be problem - i suspected it, but better to be safe before spending 6 months of rent and than figuring out i cant shoot it

DDM4 PDW have specific charging handle to reduce gas blowback and it should be all around built as suppressor friendly, that ejection port was my only concern.

Parts like chargin handle are avalaible here, but things like gas blocks, special pistons and so - they are ussually not present or ovepriced to the roof

Btw: Funny enough, its actually Classic Firearms fault that im now hooked in mentioned gun and calibre - YT autoplay forced me theirs TOP 5 .300 Rifles video and DD was 5th it hink - and i was like "Hello beatifull" :D
 
Oh for what it's worth, I use a stock charging handle in both my ARs. Several of my friends run theirs the same way and I have no trouble with any of them.
 
You will get smoke and possibly debris from a right eject while shooting lefty.

Doubt this? Hold a paper towel over the ejection port and fire a round.
 
dcloco said:
You will get smoke and possibly debris from a right eject while shooting lefty.

Doubt this? Hold a paper towel over the ejection port and fire a round.
Click to expand...
Unless you put your face next to the ejection port this isn't much of an issue. I prefer to keep my face and head on or near the stock, almost directly to the rear of the action. I'm sure most others also do the same.
 
Havok7416 said:
Unless you put your face next to the ejection port this isn't much of an issue. I prefer to keep my face and head on or near the stock, almost directly to the rear of the action. I'm sure most others also do the same.
Click to expand...

Nose on the charging handle.............
 
Havok7416 said:
Unless you put your face next to the ejection port this isn't much of an issue. I prefer to keep my face and head on or near the stock, almost directly to the rear of the action. I'm sure most others also do the same.
Click to expand...

You must not have shot the M16 or M16A1 without the Bruton Bump (brass deflector) left handed much then. Yes I would get hit with brass every time and I also would notice the carbon and such on my face and right arm. And no we did not shoot nose to charging handle back then either.

@Idahou If it is a problem with gas coming through the charging handle when shooting suppressed, then get one of the gas buster charging handles. Either way stick with an upper that has a built in brass deflector. The brass deflector definitely helps when shooting AR's left handed.
 
12Bravo20 said:
You must not have shot the M16 or M16A1 without the Bruton Bump (brass deflector) left handed much then. Yes I would get hit with brass every time and I also would notice the carbon and such on my face and right arm. And no we did not shoot nose to charging handle back then either.

@Idahou If it is a problem with gas coming through the charging handle when shooting suppressed, then get one of the gas buster charging handles. Either way stick with an upper that has a built in brass deflector. The brass deflector definitely helps when shooting AR's left handed.
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My AR and my wife's both have the deflector. I see no reason in this day and age to have it any other way. All my shooting with an AR has been in the last 5 years and voluntary regarding parts selection (as opposed to some of the gear you may have issued).
 
Havok7416 said:
My AR and my wife's both have the deflector. I see no reason in this day and age to have it any other way. All my shooting with an AR has been in the last 5 years and voluntary regarding parts selection (as opposed to some of the gear you may have issued).
Click to expand...

For a left hand shooter, there is definitely a difference between shooting an AR with a brass deflector vs one without a brass deflector.
 
Well, absence of brass deflector is, by my opinion, flaw and i would not get such a rifle, but its also point

The thing was that as AR15 (possible) begginer i wasnt sure about that "gas in face" thing and kinda expected it would be issue because DI system. Now i see it like its not problem with correct setup and its probably also affected by things like stance and body build (head position).

With exception of charging handle and safety, i dont want focus too much on lefty build for practical and training reassons, also honestly said i just like that DD look and without it, i probably wouldnt consider such a system
m55ln6awmcr51.jpg
DDM4 PDW in .300 AAC
Photo is from web, if i will go for this piece, it will be in summer and after what i will try it in hand (sadly cant try it at shooting range)
 
Idahou said:
Well, absence of brass deflector is, by my opinion, flaw and i would not get such a rifle, but its also point

The thing was that as AR15 (possible) begginer i wasnt sure about that "gas in face" thing and kinda expected it would be issue because DI system. Now i see it like its not problem with correct setup and its probably also affected by things like stance and body build (head position).

With exception of charging handle and safety, i dont want focus too much on lefty build for practical and training reassons, also honestly said i just like that DD look and without it, i probably wouldnt consider such a system
View attachment 1054555
DDM4 PDW in .300 AAC
Photo is from web, if i will go for this piece, it will be in summer and after what i will try it in hand (sadly cant try it at shooting range)
Click to expand...
What kind of ammo can you get over there in Blackout? That could be a relevant variable for you.
 
12Bravo20 said:
You must not have shot the M16 or M16A1 without the Bruton Bump (brass deflector) left handed much then. Yes I would get hit with brass every time and I also would notice the carbon and such on my face and right arm. And no we did not shoot nose to charging handle back then either.

@Idahou If it is a problem with gas coming through the charging handle when shooting suppressed, then get one of the gas buster charging handles. Either way stick with an upper that has a built in brass deflector. The brass deflector definitely helps when shooting AR's left handed.
Click to expand...
I haven’t had any issues with getting hit by brass when shooting my Colt SP-1 (no brass deflector) left handed FWIW. I do notice a lot of gas coming back into my face when shooting my M4gery suppressed. I did the gasket sealer charging handle mod and it helped a bit but I still don’t like shooting it suppressed.
 
1KPerDay said:
I haven’t had any issues with getting hit by brass when shooting my Colt SP-1 (no brass deflector) left handed FWIW
Click to expand...

Getting hit with hot brass was a big enough issue for left hand shooters that the Army issued us brass deflectors that clipped onto the carry handle of our M16A1 rifles. But we didn't shoot from benches either. We shot mostly prone or from foxholes. And you can ask anyone that was left handed and issued a M16A1 and they will all tell you the same thing. We all got hit by hot brass.
 
I run all 6 of my AR platform rifles (both Large and Small frame) suppressed, and shoot LH as well. But, I also have SLR adjustable gas blocks on all of them. I've never had any gas to the face issues with them.
 
1KPerDay said:
I haven’t had any issues with getting hit by brass when shooting my Colt SP-1 (no brass deflector) left handed FWIW. I do notice a lot of gas coming back into my face when shooting my M4gery suppressed. I did the gasket sealer charging handle mod and it helped a bit but I still don’t like shooting it suppressed.
Click to expand...
Can you expound on the mod? I've never heard of it.
 
Havok7416 said:
What kind of ammo can you get over there in Blackout? That could be a relevant variable for you.
Click to expand...
S&B (its local factory) super and subsonic, Barnauls FMJ. There is quite selection but outside of price range what i would shoot most
S&B super are twice price of cheapest 7,62x39 (Kyrgyzstan surplus, smelly corrosive), but its actually quite close price to new factory 7,62x39
 
Havok7416 said:
Can you expound on the mod? I've never heard of it.
Click to expand...
Here's a quick video I did about it. You basically degrease the charging handle and oil the upper receiver, and apply a blob of silicone gasket material to the U portion of the charging handle, and insert it/lock it into place until it dries, then either yank it to break the seal or (as I did) use a knife to cut around the receiver to encourage it to break loose without tearing. It is an improvement but still, shooting a standard baffled can left handed is not fun at least for me with this rifle. Outdoors in the breeze it might be better.
 
12Bravo20 said:
Getting hit with hot brass was a big enough issue for left hand shooters that the Army issued us brass deflectors that clipped onto the carry handle of our M16A1 rifles. But we didn't shoot from benches either. We shot mostly prone or from foxholes. And you can ask anyone that was left handed and issued a M16A1 and they will all tell you the same thing. We all got hit by hot brass.
Click to expand...
I'm not saying you didn't... I'm just saying I didn't/don't. I don't shoot a lot from the prone though. Obviously it was enough of an issue that they added the deflector to the upper receiver.
 
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1KPerDay said:
I'm not saying you didn't... I'm just saying I didn't/don't. I don't shoot a lot from the prone though. Obviuosly it was enough of an issue that they added the deflector to the upper receiver.
Click to expand...

Most left handed shooters that shot the M16A1 while in the service did have issues with hot brass hitting them and yes that is exactly why the A2 and M4 have the built in brass deflector. It is a lot different shooting from a bench than shooting prone or other awkward positions that service members find themselves in.
 
RTV the charging handle. Use paste wax on the upper as mold release. Don't use Q-tips to clean up wet RTV, even if they're supersized. you don't want strands of cotton in the RTV

 
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