Got a question for the left handers

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

dodo bird

Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2010
Messages
928
I am right handed and just curious how often y’all lefty’s switch your mag release buttons? On a couple of guns I have that have the button on both sides, I sometimes find myself using the wrong side for me. It seems that the paddle release on Walters, HK etc would be the best of both worlds.
 
I have them switched on most of my autos. Not the G42 which I carry right side, and not the 1911 (because I can't). However, it's certainly possible to actuate the mag release with the index finger. Particularly with the 1911, which feels kind of far forwards anyway.
 
When shooting lefty, I dump the magazine with my right pointer finger. As the magazine falls, I sweep / throw it down with my right hand. The follow through, I grab the new mag and insert.
 
I too use my trigger finger to release mags. I have only had one pistol that has a reversible mag catch, an EAA Witness. I tried it and found that I had to shift my grip to use my thumb. It was better to use my trigger finger.
 
When I was in the military, I would just use my index finger and move on. Most left handed folks adjust automatically. However I have noticed that shooters sometimes get caught of guard a bit when they see the use of the index finger thinking it's going in the trigger vs mag release (or slide release for that matter). I hate it when someone initially doesn't see I'm left handed and mistakes me for a novice. But that's life.

As time moves on, I'm getting at the age of, "well if the manufacturer doesn't make it so that you cannot change the magazine release or there isn't an option for a slide release on the right side-for left handed shooters, no thank you," I take a pass.

I still have a few semi's that you cannot switch the mag release or that don't have a slide release for left handed shooters, but I'm going to get rid of them. In this day and age, if a manufacturer doesn't make it to accommodate the customer, it's not worth me purchasing it.

I just recently purchased my first XDM elite and while I know some folks don't like Springfield Armory, They do factor in left handed shooters. S&W is a second favorite of mine, but every M&P I have I change out the trigger for an APEX trigger.

CH
 
I have solved that on my primary 1911. I just got a lefty Randal. For .38 snubby I carry a Charter Arms Southpaw. For larger caliber revolvers I like single actions of the Colt type. They were made for lefthanded folks and we forced them on a right handed world.

Another good solution are top breaks. My favorite .22 revolver is a H&R 999.
 
For the magazine release I use the release on the left side of the pistol. 1911s have to have ambidextrous safeties or I would not carry it.
I have shot a few pistols, manly Glocks that the magazine releases would have to be switched because the release has been activated during shooting from the recoil of the handgun.
I don't remember which generation of Glock has the large button that is easy to compress?
I like Springfield XD and XDM series pistols with dual releases, but always use the left side. Crazy left handed people :neener:
 
Crazy Horse said:
..........................

As time moves on, I'm getting at the age of, "well if the manufacturer doesn't make it so that you cannot change the magazine release or there isn't an option for a slide release on the right side-for left handed shooters, no thank you," I take a pass. ................
CH
Click to expand...

I cannot get the right side slide release to work for me on my M&P 2.0, but my forefinger can easily release it from the left side.
 
George P said:
I cannot get the right side slide release to work for me on my M&P 2.0, but my forefinger can easily release it from the left side.
Click to expand...
Yeah, on new m&p's it takes some breaking in. There is a mod on YouTube to make it work. I used the left side release for awhile until it loosened up. Ironically, I was so used to using my index finger that I never noticed the slide release on the right side. By then it was broken in enough that it works well. It's still a tad stiffer than the left side release, but I can activate it.
 
dodo bird said:
I am right handed and just curious how often y’all lefty’s switch your mag release buttons? On a couple of guns I have that have the button on both sides, I sometimes find myself using the wrong side for me. It seems that the paddle release on Walters, HK etc would be the best of both worlds.
Click to expand...
The paddles on HKs make left vs. right a non-issue.
With my Beretta 92G and M9-22, I use the "social" finger on my left hand to trigger the mag release. I've done that naturally since day one. Same with my Ruger SR22. I want to say on every other button mag gun I do the same, but it's pretty rare I shoot anything other than my own extensively.
My only other handguns are S&W revolvers. I need to spend more time practicing dealing with them as a lefty.

As for slide releases, I'm a slingshot guy 99% of the time. :D
 
I don't swap them.

I use my trigger finger. Works so well I wonder how right handers are able to survive since the thumb just seems clumsy. The only control that I need on the right side is an ambi safety for guns with external safeties since I can slingshot the slide release.

Also, since I am right eye dominant, I shoot long guns from the right shoulder, so no need for special controls, but hand guns from the left side. To me it seems like the best of both worlds.
 
Sistema1927 said:
I don't swap them.

I use my trigger finger. Works so well I wonder how right handers are able to survive since the thumb just seems clumsy. The only control that I need on the right side is an ambi safety for guns with external safeties since I can slingshot the slide release.

Also, since I am right eye dominant, I shoot long guns from the right shoulder, so no need for special controls, but hand guns from the left side. To me it seems like the best of both worlds.
Click to expand...
My whole family is right handed. Youngest daughter shoots handguns great. I found out she is left eye dominate after handing her a rifle. That has been a struggle. I keep telling her she needs to shoot rifles left handed.
 
Sistema1927 said:
I don't swap them.

I use my trigger finger. Works so well I wonder how right handers are able to survive since the thumb just seems clumsy. The only control that I need on the right side is an ambi safety for guns with external safeties since I can slingshot the slide release.

Also, since I am right eye dominant, I shoot long guns from the right shoulder, so no need for special controls, but hand guns from the left side. To me it seems like the best of both worlds.
Click to expand...

Funny, but I'm left-eye dominant and shoot pistols lefty with both eyes open, and rifle righty 'cuz I can close my left eye!
 
George P said:
Have never switched any safeties in any handguns or shotguns. I can use my trigger finger easier than trying to adjust my grip to allow my thumb to work.
Click to expand...

I do the same.


I don't care for H&K paddle mag releases. Find the paddle fights against my middle finger from using a high grip hold.

I also don't care for Sig 22X guns. The slide lock / release is too far back on the left side of the frame making it impossible to work without swapping hands. Sling shotting the slide is fine for closing the slide but having to switch hands to lock the slide open gets annoying fast.

Pretty much all other designs (Glock, 1911, Beretta, etc), I can use my index finger to activate the slide lock / release.
 
Hard core lefty here...

I don't reverse the buttons- too much muscle memory. I love the paddles on my P99AS and think stiff heel mag releases are outstanding, especially on CCW guns.
 
Last edited:
I can use trigger or middle finger for left side mag catch but practicing speed,tactical reloads I’m quicker using thumb on right side mag catch.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
Auto for left hander
Replies
17
Views
689
Lefty Gunner
L
L
  • Locked
Non-Ambidextrous Safety Left-Handers?
Replies
20
Views
2K
Pat-inCO
P
Mainsail
  • Locked
Modern Machine Shop Pistol Question
2
Replies
31
Views
2K
Mainsail
Mainsail
D
  • Locked
Perspectives and Questions from a beginner.
2 3
Replies
70
Views
3K
Bovice
B
K
  • Locked
Convert Para to a left hand gun
Replies
0
Views
766
Kelly
K
Back
Top