30Cal
Member
I shoot lefty. The only times I've ever been hit with brass was when it came from the guy standing to the left of me.
Left handed AR-15???
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desidog
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I'm a lefty, and have a scar over my right eye from spent M-16 brass. these days I own an M1A. If you're shooting like a jackass without the proper cheek-weld, you'll be more likely to take one to the face with an AR.
The Army's M-4's don't have an ambidextrous safety, so i got chewed out for walking around with a hot weapon; but thats a $30 aftermarket part.
Just go to some shooting ranges in your area and someone will be there with an AR. Say hello, inquire about the weapon, and take some shots. Always offer to buy the ammo you shoot....I've never had to pony up to date. If you like it, know that a LH safety thumbswitch is an internet shopping spree away. Wear a hat and some goggles if you're worried about catching some spent brass with your face. I found that with ESS goggles on, i was fine...but you don't always have time to don goggles!
The Army's M-4's don't have an ambidextrous safety, so i got chewed out for walking around with a hot weapon; but thats a $30 aftermarket part.
Just go to some shooting ranges in your area and someone will be there with an AR. Say hello, inquire about the weapon, and take some shots. Always offer to buy the ammo you shoot....I've never had to pony up to date. If you like it, know that a LH safety thumbswitch is an internet shopping spree away. Wear a hat and some goggles if you're worried about catching some spent brass with your face. I found that with ESS goggles on, i was fine...but you don't always have time to don goggles!
hadmanysons
Member
I'm a left handed shooter and I specifically chose a right handed AR-15 simply because of the fact that the parts, in case of SHTF, would be more inter-changeable with other rifles out there. I don't have a problem but my brass does go forward and to the right so I might have gotten' lucky. That's my reasoning at least.
p.s.
Everyone before me's post about a brass catcher wouldn't be a bad idea if you do decide to get a RH AR/any rifle. You could at least sell that brass you safe at a gun show and eventually make your money back.
p.s.
Everyone before me's post about a brass catcher wouldn't be a bad idea if you do decide to get a RH AR/any rifle. You could at least sell that brass you safe at a gun show and eventually make your money back.
WardenWolf
member
AR's generally spit the brass straight out to the sides, from all I've seen, regardless of model. AK's vary depending on maker, with some variation from shot to shot. Some eject to the rear right. Others eject mostly straight out. And then there's real oddballs like my Saiga that eject forwards.
Hummer70
Member
Hot brass from a AR striking firer or adjacent personnel on firing line is easily fixed as follows. Hot brass ejection has caused several deaths and shootings on military firing lines as well as hundreds of lefties (including me) have had our right cheeks engraved. To fix the ejection problem will take maybe twenty minutes and cost perhaps fifty cents.
First remove the bolt and drive out the ejector retaining pin so the ejector and spring will come out.
Second cut two turns off the ejector spring and reassemble. Some folks go ahead and cut three turns but start with two and see how it goes.
Third take a piece of Armaflex insulation (this is the black rubber material used as insulation for air conditioning high pressure lines. If you know someone in the air conditioning business they will most likely let you have a section of it for a 3/4" line. It comes in three foot links or there about and is enough for about 150 rifles give or take.
Next take a look at ejector bump (it has about a 45° angle) and cut a piece of Armaflex in the mirror image (wedge shaped at 45° as well) so when placed against the ejector it will form a right angle (90°)to the ejection port. The name of the game is for the case to be ejected to the right and immediately strike the Armaflex with the 90° angle and the ejection force dampened out quickly and redirecting the case forward in a safe area.
4th. Home Depot and other places sell little patches of velcro with a rather tenacious adhesive backing. Place one of these on the back of the wedge. After wiping down ejector bump well with alcohol place the other part of the velcro on this and then place both together.
When fired you will find the brass drops just to the right of the rifle about 12 to 15 inches from the port and forward around 2:00. There will not be a telltale ding on the case and the case mouths will appear as if they have been fired from a bolt rifle with no dents either.
First remove the bolt and drive out the ejector retaining pin so the ejector and spring will come out.
Second cut two turns off the ejector spring and reassemble. Some folks go ahead and cut three turns but start with two and see how it goes.
Third take a piece of Armaflex insulation (this is the black rubber material used as insulation for air conditioning high pressure lines. If you know someone in the air conditioning business they will most likely let you have a section of it for a 3/4" line. It comes in three foot links or there about and is enough for about 150 rifles give or take.
Next take a look at ejector bump (it has about a 45° angle) and cut a piece of Armaflex in the mirror image (wedge shaped at 45° as well) so when placed against the ejector it will form a right angle (90°)to the ejection port. The name of the game is for the case to be ejected to the right and immediately strike the Armaflex with the 90° angle and the ejection force dampened out quickly and redirecting the case forward in a safe area.
4th. Home Depot and other places sell little patches of velcro with a rather tenacious adhesive backing. Place one of these on the back of the wedge. After wiping down ejector bump well with alcohol place the other part of the velcro on this and then place both together.
When fired you will find the brass drops just to the right of the rifle about 12 to 15 inches from the port and forward around 2:00. There will not be a telltale ding on the case and the case mouths will appear as if they have been fired from a bolt rifle with no dents either.
As I read these threads, I find myself happy that this lefty primarily shoots right-handed.
I think it may simply be how I was raised-- with all right-handed rifles and a right-handed instructor (Dad).
As it is, I find that I can shoot left or right handed with either long-guns or handguns and it feels the exact same to me.
All that said, I've never experienced a problem shooting my AR or my LR-308 left-handed.
The AR has a shell-deflector and the brass has never came near my face.
The last time I shot my LR-308, it was a slick-side. Even so, it threw the brass directly to the right and the brass came nowhere near my face. I replaced my LR-308 upper receiver with the A3 model with shell deflector now, but it is off at Superior Weapon Systems getting some work done. I can't shoot it again until next week.
-- John
I think it may simply be how I was raised-- with all right-handed rifles and a right-handed instructor (Dad).
As it is, I find that I can shoot left or right handed with either long-guns or handguns and it feels the exact same to me.
All that said, I've never experienced a problem shooting my AR or my LR-308 left-handed.
The AR has a shell-deflector and the brass has never came near my face.
The last time I shot my LR-308, it was a slick-side. Even so, it threw the brass directly to the right and the brass came nowhere near my face. I replaced my LR-308 upper receiver with the A3 model with shell deflector now, but it is off at Superior Weapon Systems getting some work done. I can't shoot it again until next week.
-- John
Don't bother with a left handed AR. I am a lefty and have never been hit by ejected brass. Get a right handed AR and not worry about which parts fit, which don't etc. Plus if you ever wanted to sell it, there is a much bigger market for right-handed rifles.
You won't get hit by brass. My RRA ejects brass to my 4 to 5 o'clock position and about 5-6 feet away.
You won't get hit by brass. My RRA ejects brass to my 4 to 5 o'clock position and about 5-6 feet away.
AirplaneDoc
Member
I am a lefty as well.
Buy a standard, you can always get a lefty upper later, I also have had success with the brass collector and deflectors.
I can shoot either side, but have been considering getting a lefty upper for my dad who can not.
A buddy of mine was telling me that in the field they rubber banded a stipper or something simple (from cary handle to deflector) to the right side of the m16 to eliminate brass flying in the face when shooting left handed or for lefties. Next time I run into him I will have to ask what it was.
AD
Buy a standard, you can always get a lefty upper later, I also have had success with the brass collector and deflectors.
I can shoot either side, but have been considering getting a lefty upper for my dad who can not.
A buddy of mine was telling me that in the field they rubber banded a stipper or something simple (from cary handle to deflector) to the right side of the m16 to eliminate brass flying in the face when shooting left handed or for lefties. Next time I run into him I will have to ask what it was.
AD
Dirty Dawg
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I'm left handed and like all the others learned to shoot right handed. While I never had any problems with the semi-autos I owned, I never liked the idea of having hot gas/brass eject across my face. Eventually I traded my semi-auto shotguns for for over/under. Then one day I decided to buy a left hand bolt. It was a revelation as far as I was concerned. For the first time in my life I could rack the bolt without reaching across the rifle-- just like my right handed friends.
I had never had a great desire to own an AR but when I discovered Stag made a left handed model, I couldn't resist. I've only had it a short while, just long enough to dial in the BUIS and my EOTech 557. It has performed flawlessly through 100+ rounds and is plenty accurate. Since the only battle my AR will ever see will be knocking down hordes of feral hogs, I'm not too worried about compatibility. I did, however, buy an extra left hand bolt assembly just to be on the safe side in the event of a ban.
The bottom line is, if you want one, buy one. Don't let people talk you out of it (for whatever reason.) If there wasn't a viable market for left hand AR no one would be making them.
I had never had a great desire to own an AR but when I discovered Stag made a left handed model, I couldn't resist. I've only had it a short while, just long enough to dial in the BUIS and my EOTech 557. It has performed flawlessly through 100+ rounds and is plenty accurate. Since the only battle my AR will ever see will be knocking down hordes of feral hogs, I'm not too worried about compatibility. I did, however, buy an extra left hand bolt assembly just to be on the safe side in the event of a ban.
The bottom line is, if you want one, buy one. Don't let people talk you out of it (for whatever reason.) If there wasn't a viable market for left hand AR no one would be making them.
Dirty...
I'm confused about your post.
You said that you are left-handed, but learned to shoot right-handed. Then later you seem to suggest that you were shooting right-handed guns but doing it left-handed.
Is that what you were saying?
What I was talking about is that I am a lefty, but I shoot right-handed guns only. I actually prefer to shoot them right-handed (off the right shoulder using the right eye primarily), but have shot them left-handed as need arose.
I can completely understand how you would feel shooting right-handed rifles off the left shoulder. I never really have cared to do it, but can if needed. I used to hunt with a right-handed Remington 700 but due to my poor abilty to place my deer stands in the right place, I shot more deer with that rifle left-handed.
A right-handed bolt action fired left handed is practically a single-shot from my experience. I always knew that I wasn't going to get the chance for a follow-up shot.
-- John
I'm confused about your post.
You said that you are left-handed, but learned to shoot right-handed. Then later you seem to suggest that you were shooting right-handed guns but doing it left-handed.
Is that what you were saying?
What I was talking about is that I am a lefty, but I shoot right-handed guns only. I actually prefer to shoot them right-handed (off the right shoulder using the right eye primarily), but have shot them left-handed as need arose.
I can completely understand how you would feel shooting right-handed rifles off the left shoulder. I never really have cared to do it, but can if needed. I used to hunt with a right-handed Remington 700 but due to my poor abilty to place my deer stands in the right place, I shot more deer with that rifle left-handed.
A right-handed bolt action fired left handed is practically a single-shot from my experience. I always knew that I wasn't going to get the chance for a follow-up shot.
-- John
10-Ring
Member
I shoot my long guns lefty & I have 3 ARs and it's not an issue w/ any of those
Dirty Dawg
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JWarren said:
That's correct, forgive me for not making myself clear. I like to say I am "profoundly" left-handed.
I grew up shooting right-handed firearms off my left shoulder. I had never laid eyes on a left-hand weapon until a few years ago but I'll never go back to owning firearms that are wrong-handed for me. I guess I'm rebelling in my old age, refusing to conform to a right-handed world.
And I agree with you about the single shot nature of shooting right-handed bolt action off the left shoulder.
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DD wrote:
It was in my teen-age years when I saw my first left-handed bolt-action.
I thought to myself "Well, I'll be damned. That is the neatest thing."
While I'm pretty ingrained into shooting right-handed now, I do plan on getting at least one left-handed rifle in case I have someone shooting with me that needs one.
And being able to shoot either handed, it won't go to waste!
-- John
It was in my teen-age years when I saw my first left-handed bolt-action.
I thought to myself "Well, I'll be damned. That is the neatest thing."
While I'm pretty ingrained into shooting right-handed now, I do plan on getting at least one left-handed rifle in case I have someone shooting with me that needs one.
And being able to shoot either handed, it won't go to waste!
-- John
Zach S
Member
They're made because they sell. Just like FLGRs for 1911s and lighted washer nozzles for cars.
I, for one, couldn't care less if the OP got a lefty stag. Unlike my wife, he's not spending my money.
I'm not trying to talk him out of a lefty AR, simply sharing my experience. And so far, most of the wrong-handed folks' experiences are the same as mine.
Dirty Dawg
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Zach S said:
My point exactly.
I think most left handed shooters use right handed firearms because that's the way they've always done it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I doubt many have ever bothered to even try to see how the other half lives.
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cliffy
member
Stag arms
Lefties should applaude Stag Arms. Stag Arms makes stock lefty firearms in AR-15. Cliffy
Lefties should applaude Stag Arms. Stag Arms makes stock lefty firearms in AR-15. Cliffy
I can't say I have much experience with AR's and shooting right handed ones lefty since I never tried before but .
I just got back to shooting after years & I was debating on a new riffle with cheaper ammo than my existing lever action.
for years I was told to fire right handed with rifles although I did switch back and forth with handguns and did slightly better lefty, I'm convinced this was mostly due to eye focus at distances while forcing myself to close one eye.
I looked around quite a bit and came across a "used" stag ar lefty that was never fired, $800, I grabbed this today and decided to try shooting switching back and forth. at 50 feet I was doing so/so right handed, at 100 feet I went left handed to 2 inch groups, keep in mind this was iron sights and the first time I shot in years, much less with a new guns, and the first time left handed rifle,
while firing the lefty ar right handed (has the deflector) , the shells would occasionally hit me in the glasses or lay on my other arm, this was with federal ammo, when I switched to Remington, most of the shells went out of reach for retrieval. but none hit me while shooting it righty. I did however have a few rounds that bounced from the walls still hit me. the most important thing I found while shooting the lefty AR though was the lack of distraction of the shells ejecting.
I will say even though there is less available for them, I'll start buying lefty stuff from now on especially bolt actions, who knows maybe if we buy more lefty stuff, they might make more.
I just got back to shooting after years & I was debating on a new riffle with cheaper ammo than my existing lever action.
for years I was told to fire right handed with rifles although I did switch back and forth with handguns and did slightly better lefty, I'm convinced this was mostly due to eye focus at distances while forcing myself to close one eye.
I looked around quite a bit and came across a "used" stag ar lefty that was never fired, $800, I grabbed this today and decided to try shooting switching back and forth. at 50 feet I was doing so/so right handed, at 100 feet I went left handed to 2 inch groups, keep in mind this was iron sights and the first time I shot in years, much less with a new guns, and the first time left handed rifle,
while firing the lefty ar right handed (has the deflector) , the shells would occasionally hit me in the glasses or lay on my other arm, this was with federal ammo, when I switched to Remington, most of the shells went out of reach for retrieval. but none hit me while shooting it righty. I did however have a few rounds that bounced from the walls still hit me. the most important thing I found while shooting the lefty AR though was the lack of distraction of the shells ejecting.
I will say even though there is less available for them, I'll start buying lefty stuff from now on especially bolt actions, who knows maybe if we buy more lefty stuff, they might make more.
exdetsgt
Member
I just bought a lefty Stag and am quite pleased with it. I shot a friend's right handed Bushmaster last winter and never got hit with brass. At that time I was unaware that a lefty existed, but when I saw the Stag in a local gun shop I jumped on it. So far I'm pleased.
Going to take it to the desert tomorrow AM with our weapons guy and zero it in.
Going to take it to the desert tomorrow AM with our weapons guy and zero it in.
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gorwell1984
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My friend just purchased a Stag Arms left handed A3 left handed upper.
It's never been out of the mfg. box, it has a chrome lined 16" 1-9 twist, Flat Top with Picatinny rail and available to mount a carry handle on it.
He purchased it for his Stag Arms right handed AR due to him being left handed.
He was at a gun show a few weeks ago and purchased a complete Stag Arms left handed A3. He was going to keep the extra upper in case he needs it down the road but I have an AR-15 complete lower half and could use a right handed upper. I'm sure I can talk him out of it for a decent price?
So, if anyone wants to trade a right upper for a left upper let me know.
George Orwell 1984
It's never been out of the mfg. box, it has a chrome lined 16" 1-9 twist, Flat Top with Picatinny rail and available to mount a carry handle on it.
He purchased it for his Stag Arms right handed AR due to him being left handed.
He was at a gun show a few weeks ago and purchased a complete Stag Arms left handed A3. He was going to keep the extra upper in case he needs it down the road but I have an AR-15 complete lower half and could use a right handed upper. I'm sure I can talk him out of it for a decent price?
So, if anyone wants to trade a right upper for a left upper let me know.
George Orwell 1984
Frankl03
Member
I have had 2 ARs. My first was a right handed one. I shoot lefty. My second AR is a Stag Model 1L. I like it allot! I think left handed ejection is great. Can I shoot a right handed AR? Ya but I like shooting a left handed one more.
Also Stag quality is great! No problems so far at all.
Also Stag quality is great! No problems so far at all.
I am left handed and have several Ar-15's, M-14's, M1's and none eject brass in my face and have not ever had an issue. Though I do not own a Stag Arms I appreciate them making a LH rifle and if I buy another AR I will get a Stag Arms to support them. I wish every other gun maker would remember LH people are alive and do buy guns.
hadmanysons
Member
Wow. I just happened upon this thread again and can't help but notice my horrible grammar and spelling. Ugh!
I too was wondering about this but not because of the casings hitting me in the face, but whenever I shoot a friend's semi-auto rifle, it seems that the gases emitted cause my eyes to tear and my nose to run. This is after only about half a mag.
Does this happen to anyone else?
-Robb
Does this happen to anyone else?
-Robb
I get a kick out of posters that claim a left handed AR would be hard to sell or trade. There are a lot of lefties out there and that is a ridiculous statement to make. I am a lefty and most of my rifles are right handed except for my DPMS lefty, and I also own a right handed AR, but if the lefties are out there, why not get one. My Savage Stiker in 308 also has the bolt on the left side although the ejection port is on the right side.
Fella's;
If you want a real education in awkward, try shooting NRA position 50 foot with a right hand bolt gun when you're left handed & left master eyed. That's what I did waaay back when in an ROTC high school when I was on the rifle team. The A team shot Remington 40X B's in .22lr & I made the A team. There were Anschutz LHB rifles, but my family could no more afford on of those for me at that time than dad could fly to the moon on gossamer wings. Consequently, I shot from the left shoulder & learned to adapt. Which is not to say I liked it that way.
Therefore, my AR is a Stag lefty. I have had no problem whatsoever getting it equipped the way I want it either. I do believe that Stag's parent corporation also makes the basic parts for Smith & Wesson's MP-15. I built my own & had no problems doing it either. If you're inclined to buy a left Stag, by all means do so as far as I'm concerned.
And tell ya what, I can operate a right handed bolt gun from the left shoulder a lot faster than you probably think I can. But these days, there's no need. I've sold most of those mis-cegnated, kack-handed, RHB's & am very happily shooting with a proper product made the way I want it.
900F
If you want a real education in awkward, try shooting NRA position 50 foot with a right hand bolt gun when you're left handed & left master eyed. That's what I did waaay back when in an ROTC high school when I was on the rifle team. The A team shot Remington 40X B's in .22lr & I made the A team. There were Anschutz LHB rifles, but my family could no more afford on of those for me at that time than dad could fly to the moon on gossamer wings. Consequently, I shot from the left shoulder & learned to adapt. Which is not to say I liked it that way.
Therefore, my AR is a Stag lefty. I have had no problem whatsoever getting it equipped the way I want it either. I do believe that Stag's parent corporation also makes the basic parts for Smith & Wesson's MP-15. I built my own & had no problems doing it either. If you're inclined to buy a left Stag, by all means do so as far as I'm concerned.
And tell ya what, I can operate a right handed bolt gun from the left shoulder a lot faster than you probably think I can. But these days, there's no need. I've sold most of those mis-cegnated, kack-handed, RHB's & am very happily shooting with a proper product made the way I want it.
900F
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