mcmurry
Member
So if I'm interested in buying a 80% lower(or is it upper) to build an AR, where do I find a left hand one? I shoot left handed. I suppose I also need a left handed ejector?
Left hand AR lower
- Thread starter mcmurry
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WardenWolf
member
There's no such thing as a true left-handed lower. Even Stag Arms just uses parts to make a standard lower lefty-friendly. Any lower receiver can be made lefty-friendly with the installation of ambidextrous or left-handed parts. Stag Arms makes a lefty safety for $15 that works on any AR lower (a lot cheaper than a $60+ ambi safety). And a number of companies make ambidextrous magazine releases. That's all you really need to make your lower fully lefty-friendly. The bolt release is already fully lefty-friendly.
The upper is another matter. If you want left-ejecting, you'll want to get a Stag Arms upper. However, this is not necessary and all that may help is an ambidextrous charging handle.
I'm a lefty and just bought my first AR. I'm in the process of getting the small parts needed to make it fully what I want.
The upper is another matter. If you want left-ejecting, you'll want to get a Stag Arms upper. However, this is not necessary and all that may help is an ambidextrous charging handle.
I'm a lefty and just bought my first AR. I'm in the process of getting the small parts needed to make it fully what I want.
justin22885
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if someone was to make a left hand only lower receiver, the mag release would actually be simpler than the right handed version because the left handed version would only need to be a lever and a torsion spring
Get an ambi selector switch and charging handle and if you really want - an ambi mag release. As long as the upper has a built in brass deflector, it will be fine for a lefty.
The only time that I have ever had a problem was with the M16A1 since it did not have a brass deflector, brass would land on my right arm.
The only time that I have ever had a problem was with the M16A1 since it did not have a brass deflector, brass would land on my right arm.
I also shoot lefty, and have converted one of my AR lowers to lefty. (Ambi actually) An Ambi safety, ambi mag release and one of the bolt catch levers (Like a BAD or whatnot) will pretty much do it.
I find the safety VERY useful, the mag release pretty dang nice and the BAD kinda cool. It''s a shame the ambi mag releases are so expensive. But with it all installed, I can hit the safety with my left thumb, release the mag with my left trigger finger. (It's actually a little closer then the right side button) and drop the bolt with my right thumb as I seat the mag. Works pretty well.
All the dedicated lefty (as opposed to ambi) stuff tends to be in the upper. I actually find that less appealing. The brass deflector on an AR works well and I never saw the reason to swap ejection.
I find the safety VERY useful, the mag release pretty dang nice and the BAD kinda cool. It''s a shame the ambi mag releases are so expensive. But with it all installed, I can hit the safety with my left thumb, release the mag with my left trigger finger. (It's actually a little closer then the right side button) and drop the bolt with my right thumb as I seat the mag. Works pretty well.
All the dedicated lefty (as opposed to ambi) stuff tends to be in the upper. I actually find that less appealing. The brass deflector on an AR works well and I never saw the reason to swap ejection.
Hardtarget
Member
I shoot left. My AR is right. The only problem was the day I decided to sit, leaned against the bench leg for support. the ejected shell hit the bench and deflected into my collar. It didn't cool much in the 1/100th sec after firing so it burned me...neck to waist. That little case was HOT! One shot was enough. Next position, please.
Mark
Mark
USAF_Vet
Member
Also a lefty, shooting a right handed rifle. Some have brass deflectors, some do not. Never been burned by brass unless it bounced off something else.
Only one of my guns has an ambi safety, and it also has an ambi charging handle. The rest may get them eventually, but it's not a priority. I've trained enough using right handed only mag releases and bolt releases that I prefer the set up. No need to add a bunch of expensive greeblies to try to get the gun to work around me, I simply work around the gun. I have long fingers, so dropping the bolt with my index finger is easy. Mag changes aren't a problem either, just gotta find a method that suits you, and train.
Only one of my guns has an ambi safety, and it also has an ambi charging handle. The rest may get them eventually, but it's not a priority. I've trained enough using right handed only mag releases and bolt releases that I prefer the set up. No need to add a bunch of expensive greeblies to try to get the gun to work around me, I simply work around the gun. I have long fingers, so dropping the bolt with my index finger is easy. Mag changes aren't a problem either, just gotta find a method that suits you, and train.
I'm a lefty and my only Ar is set up as such. My old man saw a Stag 2L at the local gun shop several years ago and bought it for me. I really like to getting pelted with brass or having it eject in front of my face.
However, the paranoid prepper part of my brain says I need to get a right handed upper just in case they stop making lefty parts.
However, the paranoid prepper part of my brain says I need to get a right handed upper just in case they stop making lefty parts.
Elkins45
Member
Did you leave out a word in the sentence above? Or does the lefty still pelt you in the face with brass?
USAF_Vet
Member
A left handed lower simply wouldn't work. There is nothing other than the safety that would function properly. There are components and such that kinda sorta make a lower more ambi, like the battery assist device and left side toggle mag releases, but it's still utilizing the same basic design and form of the standard AR lower.
So finishing an 80% lower to be a lefty gun would be done just the same as an 80% lower finished as a right handed gun.
The rest of it would be the upper. It would require a proprietary upper receiver, and a proprietary bolt. The carrier and the rest of the BCG should be the same, but to get left handed ejection, the bolt needs to be set up to have the ejector pin on the sight hand side of the bolt face and the extractor on the left. Simply flipping a bolt upside down won't work.
Spikes does make a southpaw upper.
I've got three AR's and another on the project bench. All thee are right handed set up. My main HD rifle is a slab side and I've put more rounds through that AR than any of the others combined. Not once have I hit myself with hot brass, even without the brass deflector.
So finishing an 80% lower to be a lefty gun would be done just the same as an 80% lower finished as a right handed gun.
The rest of it would be the upper. It would require a proprietary upper receiver, and a proprietary bolt. The carrier and the rest of the BCG should be the same, but to get left handed ejection, the bolt needs to be set up to have the ejector pin on the sight hand side of the bolt face and the extractor on the left. Simply flipping a bolt upside down won't work.
Spikes does make a southpaw upper.
I've got three AR's and another on the project bench. All thee are right handed set up. My main HD rifle is a slab side and I've put more rounds through that AR than any of the others combined. Not once have I hit myself with hot brass, even without the brass deflector.
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