In need of an ambidextrous .22

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kfgk14

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As I understand, the Ruger Mark series is not ambi-friendly, and as a south-paw, I need something that will accommodate my wrong-handedness. Any ideas? I'd be willing to break from the main-stream, just looking for something reliable and backed by a good maker, auto-loaders only please. Not looking for a revolver.

Thanks
 
I put a Ciener .22 Conversion Unit on my 1911A1, which has an ambidextrous safety installed. I use it to practice strong-hand/weak-hand drills for IDPA competition. It's proven to be very accurate and reliable, with the added benefit that it changes back to a .45 ACP in about 30 seconds, so it's 2 guns in 1.
Ciener also makes .22 conversion units for the Beretta 92/96 and the Taurus 92/99.
I put an Advantage Arms .22 Conversion Unit on my Glock 30, and like it even better; it comes with adjustable sights standard, it's easier to swap for the .45 upper unit, and Glocks don't have any safetys to fool with, anyway. They're not as cheap as the Ciener units, but the quality and accuracy is first rate.
 
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I believe the Walther P22 might work for you..

My wife has the PK 380 and it is ambidextrous and the P22 is very much like it. Hope this helps, and good luck.
 
Yes, I checked out their web site and it..

has ambidextrous safety latches and also ambi- mag releases. I have been thinking about getting one too for this reason as I like to shoot with my right and left hand a lot. Check out the Walther P22, it is well made and it may just be the gun you are looking for.
 
kfgk14, Have you actually tried a Ruger?

I've never had a bit of trouble using a Ruger Mark (or 22/45) series as a southpaw.

You can work the safety with your left thumb just fine.
 
Beretta Cheetah 87 is what I have. It is pretty lefty friendly. Th mag release is to the right and cant be reversed like other Berettas. I've become so used to using my third L finger to drop the mag it seems more natural to me now than using a thumb. I have become semiambidextrious over the years by force of the market but the one thing I can't adjust for very well shooting left handed is single sided safeties. The 87 does have the ambi safety and can be cocked and locked like a 1911. The one downside is the sticker price. I bought mine 12-13 years ago for $400. They have gone up considerably since. The magazines aren't cheap either. Its more accurate as I can be and is a little like a mini 92 FS. Only problems I have had have been ammunition related - weak round not cycling or a ignition failure. Types of thing I expect when shooting bulk .22 LR.
 
The S&W 22A and 22S series pistols are left hand friendly. The magazine release is a button that is located on the front strap of the grip which you can press easily with your middle finger even in a match where speed counts.

The predecessor to the 22 series was the 422, 622 and 2206. All share the same middle of the front strap magazine release button. Such a position wouldn't work well for center fire guns but for .22's it's fine. I've shot many thousands of rounds from my 422 and 2206 without having an accidental magazine release. And before I got my 422 I rented a Model 22A on a bunch of occasions and shot about 500 rounds through it without ever having any addicental magazine releases.

The older Ruger Mk I guns use a magazine catch on the butt at the rear of the magazine well opening. So again they are totally ambidextrous for the magazine release. Some other brand models use this same style of magazine retention.

As for safeties you're pretty much stuck with a "right hand" safety located on the left side. I can't think of any .22 semis I've run across which have a center or double sided safety

One rather costly way around that would be to get a CZ Kadet kit and install it on a CZ85 which has double sided safety levers and the magazine release button can be flipped to the right hand side. It would be totally left hand friendly but costly. But with the replaceable upper you'd have both a .22 and a 9mm.
 
S&W K-19 about as Ambidextrous as one needs, or a Ruger Single Six. Both descent shooters and you dont have to dodge the flying brass either.
 
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