Compact .40 or .45 for a lefty?

[delle928]

Been driving myself insane doing research and shopping around. Can any lefties out there recommend a compact .40 or .45 that they've had personal experience with? Would greatly appreciate any advice!

 

[CSG]

I had a G36 for some years and had no problems operating it as a lefty shooter. I got rid of it in favor of a Kimber Compact CDP which I preferred for it's ambi safety and higher capacity. If you want a compact with a thumb safety, you should limit your looking to those with an ambi safety. For a Glock, XD and similar, I don't think which hand you shoot with makes much difference.

 

[rskent]

I second the Glock 36. I don’t know if this will help much. I am a lefty, unfortunately I shoot mostly right handed. I don't see the difference.
I would think that as long as you get something without a thumb safety it won't matter much. As far as dropping the mag, just use your trigger finger or middle finger.

When you do find what you want, you should practice with both hands (not at the same time) anyway.

 

[lpsharp88]

My EDC is a G26 gen4 but I've also carried a G23 with no issue. Any gen4 Glock will certainly fit your needs. Models 23, 27, 30, and 36 are the compact/subcompact .40 and .45
I suggest gen4 Glocks because they have reversible magazine releases

 

[Dlowe167]

Lost ability after accident for right hand.Been shooting lefty with my CZ P-06 in .40,works good.Being alloy gives it a little more weight,so it dont move/more control

 

[Piratesailor]

Xdm 45 compact or the xds.

 

[Havok7416]

I regularly shoot my Colt Defender in .45. I did have to add an ambi safety and finger groove-grips to make it a bit more comfortable but I have no problems with it. It is a bit o a handful though being that it's an alumimum frame.

Many of the polymer guns also are very lefty friendly as previously mentioned. If you are looking for a gun with a manual safety, the field begins to thin rather quickly.

Some guns have readily-available aftermarket ambi safeties that can be installed by you or your gunsmith (like the Defender and other small 1911s).

 

[Inebriated]

I'm not a lefty, but a Gen 4 Glock 23/27 would be fine... You can reverse the mag release, and slingshot the slide. No other controls to worry about.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I just picked up an FNS-40 and it is lefty user friendly. Ambi slide release as well as mag release. Its the non-manual safety model, which I don't need anyway. Not as compact as your probably looking for but conceals really well in an IWB holster.

Picked it up NIB for $425 + tax. Came with 3 each 14 round mags. Got it at the LEO price, being a retired military man.

 

[Sistema1927]

Springfield XDs for this lefty. Even though it has an ambi mag release I still operate it with the trigger finger, just like I do all other semi-autos.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Same here, XD40sc. I have handled right handed pistols so long using my trigger finger to drop mags and release slides I started to think that's how everyone does it.

 

[armedwalleye]

I'm a lefty and my EDC is an XDs, .45.
Prior carry gun was a Ruger SR9c, 9mm.

Both were chosen for left hand compatability, and I'd recommend either, but also recommend the "pinkie tail" for the mags, and the smaller backstrap for the XDs.

 

[stevek]

At the risk of asking a foolish question...are you left eye dominant? I am a lefty in the vast majority of things, but I'm right eye dominant, and due to that learned to shoot righty.

 

[jeepnik]

Any of the Glocks will work. My personal favorite is the 30. I figure if you're going to carry something in that size range, you might as well get a double stack magazine as a single.

 

[Upstater]

I am a southpaw as well, my recommendation would be s&w m&p it can be had in full size or compact 9mm, .40, & .45. The mag release it convertible and the slide locks are on both sides of the gun.