Best Lefty Pistol (9mm)

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EdLaver

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I have a friend who is new to firearms and he and his wife want a home defense pistol. They are both lefties and he is gone working most of the time so it has to be a cartridge she can handle as well (9mm). Also has to have ambi controls ie: mag release and safeties if applicable. I'm not a lefty so I couldnt think of a better way to help them than asking fellow Lefty High Roaders. I did suggest an XDM in 9mm, it has ambi mag release and changeable backstraps for her smaller hands.

Thanks!
 
If you choose a gun with a manual safety, you pretty much need an ambi safety. Magazine releases and most slide stops can be operated as easily - sometimes more easily - with the trigger or second finger.

The S&W M&P pistols have an ambi slide stop, reversible magazine release and ambi manual safety (on those models equipped with them).
 
I'm a lefty, and I have several handguns that feel pretty good to me. An ambi safety or decocker is all that is really necessary. My Ruger has an ambi mag release, but I almost always use my trigger finger to release the magazine anyway. It feels just as intuitive as using my thumb to me.
 
a LEFTY

been a lefty for 65 years and the kahr PM9 will please any lefty, no safety's to mess with, slide lock and slide release are perfect for me also. My left index finger can do it all with ease. No chanc eeither of accidently bumping the slide lock lever or hitting the magazine release either..
 
If you want all the controls to be ambi, then you'll need to go with H&K. The newer HK P30 meets that requirement. It has both an ambi slide release and magazine release. The decocker is also easy for a left to access since it is near the hammer. The H&K P7 costs double that of the P30 and doesn't offer any improvements over it. In my opinion, the P7 is more detriment than benefit.

If they don't mind using their index finder to push a traditional style magazine release, also look into the S&W M&P series which has an ambi slide release. The magazine release can be switch to the lefty side if they prefer to use the thumb.
 
I'd agree with Marcus, HK does a good job making the majority of their guns easy to use with either hand.
Aren't the FN handguns fairly well ambi as well? I do believe there is also a CZ 9mm version of the 75B made specifically for southpaws.
 
CZ 85 Combat is ambi version(safety, slide stop, not sure about mag release) of the 75B. My CZ SP01 has an ambi decocker, and the slide stop is big enough where I can manipulate it with my trigger finger.
And since I have a few other semis that dont have ambi mag release, Ive pretty much trained myself to use my middle or trigger finger anyway.
 
Im right handed although being a firearms instructor I learned a little thing that might help you make a quick decision. If you really want to put an autoloader through a reliability test, just limp wrist it left handed. Do this with a few different autos might really help you make your choice. I know your not suppose to limp wrist, although face it, this is not a perfect world and you never know what your going to need until you really need it.
 
One other thing to consider. I don't think that being right handed vs. left handed is as important as determining which eye is dominant. I am a lefty, but right eye dominant, so when learning to shoot, I learned to shoot "righty".
Our son is a righty but left eye dominant, so he shoots lefty. Just something to consider if it hasn't already been determined.
 
Most of the new polymer nines seem to have ambi controls or at least reversible mag catches. They are also very soft shooting. I recently bought a P7 PSP which is also completely neutral. The Manual of arms is exactly the same right or left handed. The squeeze cocker is also a very safe setup. My personal choice would be the P7 of the M&P.
 
My very first thought was the P7M8 as well. Very instinctive manual of arms (squeeze as gripping and you're ready to fire) and it's got a ambi mag release. Easy to shoot and very accurate.
 
I recommended the PSP. The M8 is way too expensive and I can't stand the push down mag releases. The PSP has a very good heel release that works fine and a slimmer grip than the M8 which might be more appropriate for a woman. The M&P might be even better for the OPs purpose though. The slide release is ambi and the mag catch is reversible. Its soft shooting and very accurate.
 
I commented earlier that the XDs work fine for me but the truth is being left handed has been less of an issue with any "right hand" auto than it is wheelguns for me. About the only autos I dislike are the ones set up with a right hand decocker and even that is not insurmountable. I've used them but I don't buy decocker fitted pistols.
 
I have found Glock's square mag release to be a PITA for trigger finger use, especially in speed drills.

Usually it's a righty recommending Glocks for southpaws so beware.;)
 
Since the gun needs to be both ambi and suitable for both genders, I would argue that the Smith & Wesson M&P is the best choice. With ALL of the controls on both sides of the gun AND three grip sizes, the M&P 9 would be a perfect choice. Very high capacity, reliable, ambi and adjustable.
 
FN P 9mm

FN P-series pistols are reported to be great. The backstrap is interchangeable, ambi decocker-safety, ambi slide release, ambi mag release, stainless slide, replaceable slide rails (great for poly frame pistol!), made in USA (if that matters to you). If the 9 is anywhere near as accurate as the 45, it should be an excellent choice.
 
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