Best guns, holsters and techniques for left-handers?

[Jayman]

NAVY JOE: Duder, where in VA are you shooting? Are you doing the shotgun matches down in Norfolk at NCRR? Where all are you shooting IDPA? I usually shoot up in N. VA, but occasionally I hit Rivanna and/or Cavalier. I'll be at the Commonwealth Cup...

 

[Navy joe]

Dude, like nowhere man, life sucks . Been so busy with life and work that ever since I came back from shooting the Florida open in Feb. I have shot 1 IPSC and 2 IDPA matches. Going from 3-8 matches amonth to this state of affairs sucks. Shoot IDPA at NCRR, can't justify driving too far for IDPA. The shotgun matches at NCRR are the best way I've found to spend a Sat. morning, I need to get out there and help run them now that Bob is gone most of the time. Hey, Bob's gone! That means I can be top pumpgun for once!

Anybody near Tidewater, VA needs to come to a Norfolk County tactical shotgun match. A 40+ round shotgun STAGE has to be seen to be believed.

 

[Hardtarget]

If you're looking at revolvers, look at Colt. The cylinder release is pulled back with the trigger finger, instead of pushed like a Smith. Seems to work good for me. Then mostly reload like Nightcrawler said and you're back in buisness. Lots of good suggestions here. You'll be busy figuring out what to do! Have fun!
Mark.

 

[Harold Mayo]

P7M8 for a lady. Totally ambidextrous.


Holster? Not sure. I would use Milt Sparks for IWB almost to the exclusion of the possibility of any other maker but YMMV. OWB, Rafter S. Belt, Rafter S.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Nightcrawler, congrats, you win the prize. That is the correct way. I'm not a lefty, but all the LH PPC shooters did it that way in competition, and they were just as fast as us RHer's. Not superior, just equal.

Cool. Vindication.

Honestly, though, I just did what seemed most natural. It's now second nature.

Still trying to figure out how right-handers use HKS speedloaders without somehow grasping the cylinder to stop it from rotating...

 

[bnormal2]

Any 22 revolver will work right or left handed. H&K lefties are the easiest to find used. Try Albert Tridenti at [email protected] as he had a used one for under $500. I have bought a number of items from him with no problems.

 

[Wiley]

Revolvers: Replica Schofield (or other top break)?

 

[cadfael]

One of our local IDPA masters hits the slide release with his right index finger.

Right hand comes up with mag in it and slams the mag in, then he reaches up and presses the slide release. He rotates his off hand back to firing position while pressing the gun back out.

Adam

 

[Jayman]

CADFAEL: He does this underneath the gun? I usually just use my left index finger, but I may try that out...

 

[Guntalk]

FWIW.

There is no particular reason a right-handed, but left-eye dominant shooter must shoot a handgun left handed.

On longs guns, yes! Shoot off the left shoulder.

On handguns, one can line up the left eye easily. I've been doing it for 45 years. Doug Koenig showed me a nifty technique which I wish I had known years ago. Before bringing the gun up to eye level, turn the head about 10 to 15 degrees to the right. Now, just bring the gun up. No need to tilt the head, duck the head, or do anything else to line the left eye up with the sights.

If a person is really right handed but left-eye dominant, shooting handguns right handed just isn't a problem.

 

[Oleg Volk]

P7M8 for a lady. Totally ambidextrous.

That came to mind: mild recoil, ambi. The problem is that she has tiny hands, and might find the grip a bit big. I'll have to borrow one to have her try it.

 

[fiVe]

Someday, my people, the Left Handed, will rule this world, and you mundanes will be made to fight for our amusement.

Nightcrawler, I always wondered why I liked you so much.


R/fiVe (a fellow Lefty)

 

[p35]

Every day, lefties adjust to a right handed world in ways that the right handed never notice. Ever try to open the blade(s) on a Swiss Army knife while holding it in your left hand? Can't be done. Try pulling a pen out of your shirt pocket with your left hand. Awkward but possible.

Us lefties are more ambidextrous because we have to be, so your friend will be ready to adjust.

I've had good luck with most auto pistols with ambi safeties. With .22s, I don't worry about it because I'm not in a hurry to release the safety at the firing line. Springfield XDs and Rugers are good; P35s and 1911s need ambi safeties IME. I can't add much to what's been said about revolvers; I do like shooting them.

 

[NMshooter]

With shoulder weapons in particular, when shooting off the non-dominant (eye) side it helps to close the dominant eye. Cross dominance can be overcome with sufficent practice. Often, shooting with the other side forces you to deal with bad habits you might not notice shooting with the dominant side.

 

[ny32182]

In November, I have to train a left-handed friend. In trying to operate my own revolvers left-handed, I was amazed at how hard it was to reload them. She can shoot handguns right-handed, but her left eye and left arm are dominant, so leftie approach seems best.

Please advise on choosing the training equipment (she will get to choose the actual personal weapons, I can't do that for another person) and also on the weapon manipulation methods. Detailed descriptions would be most appreciated.

The first order of business is .22 trainers, but advice on full-caliber guns is also needed for later.

I'm left handed. My carry gun is a Sig P226 .40. I carry it chambered and decocked in a left handed Comp-tac Ghurka. Comptac will make any holster in LH I believe, as will any of the other top quality holster makers. (I think). My procedure is to draw, fire till empty, hit the mag release with my trigger finger, insert new magazine, and give the slide a yank with my right hand to chamber the next round. This has a couple advantages even over right handers: 1) finger is automatically off the trigger during a reload. 2) This procedure is virtually identical on any make of autoloading handgun. I also keep a loaded PT-92 (Beretta 92 clone) around, and the slide catch is at a different place on the frame. Under stress, I imagine it would be a possibility that I could reach for the wrong spot depending on which gun I was using. With my left handed approach, this is not a problem, and yanking the slide will chamber a round on virtually any autoloader. As has been stated, revolvers are very bad for lefties. I don't even own one.

For a rifle, the AR-15 is my favorite platform and is very lefty friendly. Fire till empty, then I grab the magazine with my right hand, hit the mag release with my right thumb, and pull the magazine out all in one motion. (Note that this eliminates the possible problem of the mag not dropping free for a right hander). Then I insert new mag with my right hand, and hit the bolt catch to chamber a new round with my trigger finger. Again, this ensures no finger on the trigger during a reload, and is very quick. Ambi-selectors are available for the AR, but I don't use them. I don't want to become accustomed to using a non-standard control setup, because when I pick up any gun that is not mine, the setup wouldn't be the same. I simply don't use the "safe" position on an AR, for better or worse.

The AK platform is also just as good if not better for a lefty than it is a right hander. The mag release is "ambi" from the start, and having the charging handle on the right side of the receiver makes it simple to rack the action without moving your firing hand. I prefer this to having it on the other side of the receiver. Again, I don't use the "safe" position so safety manipulation is not really a concern. If you plan to teach the safety manipulation I imagine it would be quite awkward for a lefty on either.

 

[UnintendedConsequences]

Lefty guns

I am a Class 01 FFL dealer, and as I specialize in guns for southpaws, I know there are left-handed bolt action rifles. Remington, Browning, Winchester, Savage Arms, Ruger and Weatherby make left hand bolt actions. Remington makes a Model 870 and 11-87 in a left-hand action. Browning and Ithica pump shotguns are ambi as they load and eject through the bottom of the action. If you like single shots, those usually have a tang safty that is ambi.

As has been stated, the Garand-style action for the M-1 M-14/M1A, Mini-14 Mini-30 have an amibi safety. However, you are better off, at least for myself with my Garand, to load it right handed so that the op-rod doesn't get angled while running in the reciever grove. I have had a spontaneous op-rod dismount while shooting in competition because of that. So now I load right hand and close the action then put it ot my left shoulder to fire.

As a note, the DPMS AR-15 pattern rifles has one lefty upper that has exact mirror of all controls and ejects on the left side. It uses the same lower as any other AR-15 pattern lower.

Regarding handguns, it all depends on what your dexterity and hand strength allows. What works for me may not work for another because of how it feels and works for me. Single action revolvers are good for lefties as has been said, but I like semi-autos for mag changes. Other than that, I adapt to the situation.

I do practice with both sides of my body to shoot so that I can swap when hunting if needed.

ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΈ

 

[Oleg Volk]

In the end, the person in question did best with a Glock 17...

 

[Ironbarr]

I figured a G19 or 26 - "small hands", etc...

.

 

[Law Enforcement]

Thanks For Your Post Grampa...

Since I am left-handed and own a Colt Series 80 with a single-sided safety for right-handers, your post is music to my ears. I had a professional install an Ed Brown ambi safety that kept working loose. I got tired of this and converted back to the more durable single sided safety.

I plan to get my CCW permit through the NRA which is near where I live. Last time I qualified the NRA instructor said I need an ambi. I told him I do not want one. Grampa, since your bio says you are a NRA instructor what should I tell the NRA instructor when I go to qualify next time?

The last time I qualified the NRA instructor told me that whereas I successfully qualified with my Ruger Speed Six, .38 spl with 2.75" barrel, the Colt should be my weapon of choice with an ambi safety. Not to brag, but the instructor said I was so good with the Colt Govt. model that I should continue to work with this weapon to the exclusion of any other! I just hate amibidextrous safeties!!!

Love to hear your thoughts Grampa.

Thanks!

 

[JohnL2]

How about Hecker and Koch?
I plan on picking one up sometime in the future. Very lefty friendly.
Although I do love my DW RZ10. It is like that nice suit you wear that only looks good and doesn't quite fit right.
The HK should remedy that no problemo. Their reputation is sterling.

 

[mustanger98]

I'm right handed and I do pretty much all my shooting left-handed. I'm left-eye dominant.

I learned how to speed-reload a S&W wheelgun. I'm not sure how to explain it nearly as uncomplicated as it really is without a visual. The best visual I know of is the scene on an episode of Shooting Gallery which is where I picked it up.

 

[Grampa]

Welcome to THR, Law Enforcement! Good to meet you.

Whoa, I'd never consider myself an expert on recommending what you, or anyone else MUST do. I make observations about what works for me, and try to explain why. For instance:

* If the controls of any handgun are predominantly on the left side, do you have to break your grip to operate them? Consistent grip position is very important to accurate, controlled shooting. Operating the decockers on my Sig P229 and P239 requires me to break my grip completely, but, if I'm in a state of shooting where I am decocking, does that matter? It sure is nice to have that flat, smooth right side on the P239 against my side when I'm wearing it IWB, and in fact, the P239 is my most common IWB carry handgun.

* Does the model of firearm I'm shooting normally have ambidextrous controls? If not, should my own specific firearm be different? I'd like to have a left-hand AR, but then I'd train with a rifle that is different than most. Would that be detrimental in an emergency situation where I had to use a "normal" AR (or any other firearm)? Same thing with just having an ambi safety on the AR. It works a lot easier using the left thumb on the right side of the rifle, but I can use the standard safety well, and most ARs don't have them. I have more than one (heh) AR, and not all of them have an ambi safety. Gets confusing once in awhile... But, if you only intend to shoot your own firearm, build or buy what works best for you and train with it.

Now, there are exceptions to that thought process. Most Browning High Powers you run into today have ambi safeties. I have a less recent BHP (early 70's) that only has the right hand safety. I have considered converting that one over to an ambi, but then again, ALL BHP have a right hand safety (even the ambi's) -- I may as well learn how to use it. (Unfortunately, I tend not to carry that handgun, because of the safety. It is such a nice gun, though!) 1911's are getting that way. Anything but the entry level models usually have an ambi safety. So, consider, as you have mentioned, the next point.

* Is it really worth the cost and reliability issues? Converting all my ARs over might cost the same amount as a mess of ammo or a new railed forearm. Hmm... Sure, they can be installed professionally and work very well, but does it introduce something else that might either make the firearm less reliable or subject to breakage? (Probably not, but it does happen.)

I've learned to say, "Thank you, I'll certainly take that into consideration." Then, consider and evaluate the advice, and do what works for you.

 

[Law Enforcement]

Thanks for investing time in your thoughtful reply Grampa. Also, thanks for welcoming me to this forum.

Funny you should mention that you mostly carry a Sig P239 IWB, and also have a P229. Would love to hear what calibers they are.

I am at a crossroads. I can commit 100% to carry and mastery of my 1911 platform without ambi safety, or I can carry my Sig P228 which I purchased new several years ago and has hardly been fired. I could also carry my blued Sig P232, but it's a .380 acp. If I get into a serious firefight against multiple armed attackers I hope I'm carrying the 9mm. I shoot all of these weapons quite well. I could be very comfortable going the double action auto route. I find my Sigs to be very left hand friendly for me. Since the P228 has been discontinued for civilians, my next purchase will be a new Sig P229. I love the size and sight radius for my 50+ year old eyes. Also, I would probably be faster with the Sig, since I would have no safety to release and I had to master a double action revolver in my law enforcement and Air Force days. Of course, a double action trigger pull is longer and not the same as on a 1911. Now, you've got me thinking that perhaps I should qualify at the NRA range with my Sig P228 and carry it IWB most of the time, and my Sig P232 with proper ammo during ultra concealment situations. If I go the Sig P228 or P229 route I hope we don't go back to 10 round or less mags with the new politicians in office.

Also, even though I shoot a handgun left handed, I shoot a rifle and shotgun right handed. I swing a baseball bat right handed and kick a football with my right foot. I write left handed.

Thanks again, Sir. I have always wanted to go to Alaska!

 

[the naked prophet]

Can't help with the techniques, but if she can't find a left handed holster she likes, I make custom leather holsters. My wife is left-handed (and has very womanly hips) so I get some practice with that kind of holster. I'm not a professional or anything (I'm a grad student, this is my hobby) but I think I make professional quality holsters, and since I'm doing it all-custom, I can make it however she wants it. Probably be easier to just buy one off-the-shelf, but a lot of lefties can't find one they like without going custom.

 

[Grampa]

The P239 is 9MM, and the P229 is .40 S&W. I bought both used at separate times, so pretty much took what I found. I think I paid $415 for the P239, and $450 for the P229. Both were very lightly used and had extra mags, so I felt fortunate to get them. I like the extra round in the 9MM P239 vs. the .40 P239, and better recoil control. I rarely carry the P229, which is too bad. I think it's the semi-auto I can shoot most accurately of all I own. It just fits right.

By the way, This is an over two year old thread for Oleg. I think the issue has been long since solved for him!