Got a question for the left handers

[unclenunzie]

I don't switch mag release buttons around. I use the trigger finger because it is natural and quick. I also like the paddle releases, Walther slightly more comfortable than H&K, though both work fine. Unrelated to handedness I think the paddles offer more secure mag retention just generally. I think heel releases are the right idea on tiny pocket guns as well.

 

[Rexster]

I normally use my left index finger to release magazines, when shooting lefty. This may not be workable with all pistols, but has worked fine with 1911, Glock, 3rd-Generation S&W, and several de-cocker and DAK SIG pistols, that I have used for duty and personal carry, since 1983.

I should note that the ambidextrous slide release, found on Gen5 Glocks, mightily ANNOYS me, as it interferes with the placement of my left thumb, when shooting lefty. I would rather that the right side of the pistol be free of protruding gadgets, bells, and whistles.

I am naturally left-handed, but right-armed; I naturally throw right-handed. I could not carry handguns, legally, until I became a peace officer, so did not establish a primary carry preference until I started the police academy. Drawing the then-mandated DA duty revolver, from the then-mandated low-slung duty holster, was not unlike throwing, and, I knew I would be mostly patrolling alone, which meant that my right hip would be more accessible while driving the patrol car, so I opted to carry at 0300, all the time. Long-stroke DA, with a medium-frame revolver, was caveman-simple, anyway. Plus, it made sense for my more-dextrous left hand to shoot the more-difficult-to-shoot J-Frame back-up gun. In retirement, in my late fifties, I now find myself potentially making the big switch to lefty primary, as my right thumb, wrist, arm, and shoulder are not aging well.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I don't switch any of mine for the sake of simplicity across platforms. I use the middle finger on my left hand to depress the mag release. It's not nearly as awkward as it seems.

Same here. I switched to the opposite side on my G43X and hated it so I went back to normal side. So used to using my middle finger on left hand that it felt awkward using my thumb.

 

[Rexster]

I will follow-up my above post by adding that the Walther PP/PPK system pistols do not work so well for me, when using the left index finger to press the mag release button, as I cannot reach the button while maintaining any semblance of a firing grip . This has not been a issue, for me, however, as their slides start to saw parallel grooves in the web of my hand, by the end of the first magazine, so, I have little interest in reloading my Walther PPK/s in any hurry. It is simply a fun little gun, which I reckon could be pressed into service as a back-up weapon, but is not, for now, kept loaded.

Back to the 1911, which I mentioned, previously: When shooting left-handed, releasing the mag by pushing the button with my quite flexible left index finger does not otherwise disturb my firing grip, whereas using my thumb to press that button, while shooting right-handed, requires a significant shift, in my hand, totally losing a firing grip, because my thumb cannot, otherwise, reach the mag-release button. So, my mag changes with a 1911 are actually MORE efficient, when performed lefty!

My first handgun, in late 1982 or early 1983, was a Detonics 1911. I had to use DA revolvers as duty handguns, starting in 1983/1984, in the academy, and I mostly used revolvers, for the rest of the Eighties. I used used a Colt Stainless Commander as a police duty pistol, for about a year, about March 1990 to April 1991, when it started malfunctioning. I returned to using 1911 pistols for police duty, 1997-2002, and then again 2016-2018. For personal-time defense, I was never totally without a 1911, from some time in the mid-Nineties, to the present day. Notably, as some compact Nines have become too muzzle-whippy* for my aging thumbs, hands, and wrists, the all-steel, full-sized 1911 remains an “orthopedic” weapon, easy on my old bones and joints, even shooting .45 ACP.

Back to the Glock, which I mentioned, previously: when shooting lefty, using my index finger requires a slight shift away from a full firing grip, in order to reach the mag release. When shooting righty, using my thumb requires a slight shift in my firing grip. So, with double-column-mag 9mm Glocks, there is no reason for me to want to change anything, as I have to slightly shift my firing grip, either way. I still consider my G17 and G19x pistols to be part of my defensive weaponry, but interrupted due to being unable to train adequately, in these pandemic times. Glock triggers require more-frequent practice, with live-fire, to maintain what I deem to be a reasonable skill level.

*Not just pain, but actual swelling, that persists for days. That is actual damage, being done. Pistols with full-sized grips, and some amount of heft, are now my friends.

 

[jonnyc]

Shotguns? Are you closing an eye for those?

Yes, actually, and it works just fine.

 

[goose1]

If it’s not ambi, middle finger and sweep the safety with the index. You should try it. Your right hand won’t help you much if it’s injured and trouble is still going down. Anything I can do left handed I can learn to do right. One handed mag changes are slow but possible.

 

[ECVMatt]

Another lefty that uses the middle finger of the left hand. I have been doing this for so long, everything else seem unnatural at this point.

Having said that, I do like the ambi slide release on the Gen 5 Glocks. That makes a world of difference for me.