Any ideas for a left handed woman shooter

[Joe Mamma]

I know a woman who is left handed and would like to shoot more but doesn't because:

1) she has dificulty racking the slide (she make break a nail) on semi-autos and

2) most semi-autos are not set up well (e.g., it's difficult to releasing the mag or slide) for left hand shooters.

Do you have any suggestions or ideas on what she could do or what guns would be good for her? She is no stranger to shooting but, she would like to do more of it. I am hoping people here will have some good ideas.

Thanks.

Joe Mamma

 

[axeman_g]

depending on her recoil sensitivity ...

a Walther P22. Just tell her "it aint the size, its how you use it."

For something a little larger .. try the following

Steyr m9 -- totally ambi
Walther P99 -- maybe too large
SW 3913 -- good choice, great size
HK USPC -- also may be too large
Hipower -- ambi safety, SA only may be a concern
Beretta Cheetah .380 -- beautiful, graceful weapon.
Beretta 92 M -- single stack, short barrelled version of fullsize 92
Cz 83 -- larger .380

I am a lefty and have shot or owned all of these. The Beretta .380s are my wifes first choice in firearm. She is saving up for one. She also likes the P22 and my new Hipower, but the length of a hipower may be harder for some women to handle because of barrel weight.

 

[Rupestris]

I shoot left handed and find it much easier to use the slide release on both my 1911 and my Ruger Mark II. I use my left index finger (keeps it off the trigger too ). Same goes for the mag release on the 1911.

With most semi-autos there is no real need to use the slide release anyway. With the slide locked back, just insert a fresh mag and pull back on the slide. It should go into battery on its own.

My recommendation is going to be a Ruger Mark II .22. The mag release is on the bottom of the grip so, left or right handed, its the same. Very little recoil. Cheap to shoot. and because no household in the country should be without a good .22 handgun.

 

[Smurfslayer]

what kind of shooting?

for general plinking, either a ruger mk or a browning buckmark are excellent choices. The magazine release on the left side as usual, but, the buckmark does not require "the Hands of King Kong(tm)" to use.

I note that the suggestions below did not include austrian plastic, and I would agree with that omission because the lever which is allegedly the 'slide release', or, at least it's in that position, is very low profile, and difficult to manipulate with your left index finger. As one poster pointed out, you can slingshot the slide but that's extra movement and time - if it's a defensive gun, it is something to consider.

The Berettas have a prominent slide release, which becomes relatively unneeded after about 10k rounds when regular mag insertion will chamber the 1st round it's a feature, not a bug.

The HK USP also has a fairly ambidextrous setup, but for the slide release, which is even more prominent than the Beretta. HK will install ambi levers, change variants for very few $$$ ...

The P2000 is a bit smaller than the USP, and is also completely ambidextrous, no mechanical safety.

If practice is the goal, get either (or both) .22's mentioned. for more defensive practice, most of the recommendations within are fine.

HTH

 

[Black Snowman]

Glock recommends to slingshot the slide always. The slide catch (not release) only has the tab to make it easier to lock open without an empty magazine in the gun. In fact, locking the slide open is the only reason I got an extended release for mine.

I'll use the advice I give everyone. Find a range with rentals and have her try everything. Bonus, you get to try it too

 

[Peter M. Eick]

What about an H&K P7 PSP. Heel mag release, very safe, 9mm, low bore axis and very very reliable and accurate. What more could you want?

Besides, if she wants to drop the slide after a mag change, just squeeze the cocking lever.

 

[Boats]

Yeah its the semi forum but here is my answer anyways:

Ruger SP-101 3" stoked with .38Spec.+p and with an easily swapped in 10 pound main and trigger return springs from Wolff.

If not a Ruger, go find a good used S&W M&P or Model 10 in .38spec.

On the Ruger, polish up the trigger group's engagement faces without changing the geometry and maybe get a Big Dot out front and she'd be good to go without ever racking a slide again.

That's my wife' current CCW gun in a nutshell and as a lefty I like it just fine.

 

[Chipperman]

P7M8.
Easier to drop the mag than with the PSP.

You don't post whether she is interested in CCW at all, or if this is just for plinking. If just plinking, the Walther P22 is a great choice, but not as lefty friendly as the HK's.

 

[Joe Mamma]

Thanks for all of the repsonses. Please keep them coming.

She is more of a home defense and CCW type of gun owner. But, she said that she really wants to try competitions (to win a trophy or a few dollars). But, I just don't know what kind of competitions would be good for her. I've thought about the Glock sponsored (GSSF) matches. You don't have to reload under pressure. It's just pure shooting and there are good prizes. Any other ideas?

Joe Mamma

 

[Black Snowman]

Well if she's interested in CCW I'd say IDPA style matches would be both fun and helpful. Their scenerios are frequently more like police drills but the skills apply to many situations and they're just a lot of fun I've never participated in a GSSF match but they look like fun.

I agree to not count wheelies out either. Lots of good things going for them.

 

[LynnMassGuy]

S&W SW99 compact 9mm. Small grip, ambi mag release, fairly light, easily adjustable sights, different backstraps for different sized hands, chambered round indicator, well built and accurate.

 

[NMshooter]

As with everything else, "whatever she wants". Seriously, though, until anybody has shot a number of handguns how can that person begin to figure out which ones work for them and which don't? I am partial to both the Glock in 9mm (any size) and the 1911 in .45, but plenty other folks don't like either. So, if you can, take her to a range that rents guns, or borrow as many as you can, and expose her to more of the incredible variety of handguns available. Heck, for all I know, she might love a SIG P-210! And besides, ANY reason to go shooting must be a good one!

 

[lee n. field]

Revolver. Haven't we discussed this before?