M1 Carbine leftie-friendly?

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SWDoc

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I am considering an M1 carbine for my wife, who is left handed. We do not have one to shoot/try, so before we go to extreme lengths to arrange for her to shoot one, how leftie friendly IS the M1? She operates pistols OK, shifting hands for reloads and clearances (unless she is shooting her M&P). Will the M1 be particularly difficult? Any particularly difficult operations?

Steve
 
Very much so. Though I did have one non gi with a peened ejector that would ding me in the forehead.
 
The sling connects through the left side of the buttstock, which may make it difficult for her to use. I've read posts on here where folks complained about getting hit by brass, but mine ejects up and back mostly. Seems feasible.
 
As stated, the sling is pretty much non-functional for me, and manipulating the safety might be an issue, but as for firing mine work fine lefty.
 
Have had both USGI and Universal carbines. Shot them both a lot. An ex wife won custody,..or I'd still have. :)

The sling and safety are an issue,..but a very small one in my opinion that one can readily learn to adapt to.

Might we ask the anticipated use of this carbine? Plinking, HD, even SHTF,..yes.

Hunting,...not so much for anything more than small game would be my recommendation,..though I have taken deer with the .30 carbine. (I just don't recommend it.) Bigger game,..get more gun.
 
A certain percentage of people are left handed.
7%? 10%? Whatever it is.

That same percentage got drafted and carried an M1 Carbine through a real big war and several little wars.

If it hadn't of worked for left handed GI's, they would have had to find something else that did.

rc
 
rcmodel said:
A certain percentage of people are left handed.
7%? 10%? Whatever it is.

That same percentage got drafted and carried an M1 Carbine through a real big war and several little wars.

If it hadn't of worked for left handed GI's, they would have had to find something else that did.

rc
Click to expand...

And what percentage of troops that were left handed actually survived a 1st wave beach landing compared to the percentage of righties.

They did alot of messed up stuff back then, amazing anyone survived. A soldier was lucky if he got 100 rounds practice before combat. I don't really think they cared if your left handed. Kinda falls under the logic that what the .mil or PD deos isn't instantly a good idea.
 
I shot one as a kid left handed, and no problems. My sister shot right handed, but caught one in the forehead. I think she was tipping her head way over. Of course, we weren't very big at the time, so who knows.

I have one now, but haven't shot it left handed yet.

According to the original government manual, they're supposed to kick the brass forward, making them non-specific as far as handedness goes. If they start kicking back, then they either need cleaning or lubing, I don't remember off the top of my head which.
 
That same percentage got drafted and carried an M1 Carbine through a real big war and several little wars.

If it hadn't of worked for left handed GI's, they would have had to find something else that did.
Click to expand...
Back in that day left-handed kids were sometimes forced to do everything right-handed.
And just because people got issued something doesn't mean it was the best choice ... I imagine there are far more lefty-friendly guns out there than an M1 carbine, with all controls and ejection on the right and a sling mounted to the left in a non-swappable configuration.

I feel almost like I posted something similar elsewhere ... but get your and her hands on one and try it out. Sadly the CMP has run out, so I'd expect the prices on the guns to start rising again.
 
The safety and mag release are on the right side of the receiver. They aren't particularly hard to reach though and should be OK for a lefty.

The op rod is on the right side. She could maintain a firing grip with her left hand and charge the rifle with her right hand. That is actually better in some ways. Unlike the M-16/AR-15, there is no seperate bolt release to worry about.

She won't know for sure until she tries it, but I suspect she'll like the light weight, low recoil, and overall handiness of the carbine so much that she'll work to make it work for her as a lefty.
 
as a lefty I think they're great. You can leave your hand on the trigger area and manipulate the rest with your off hand. the gun is light enough that it presents no problems. if she can use a 10/22 or mini-14 she can use an m1 carbine. I've never been hit in the head, though it ejects just right past my right ear. send me your brass.

as posted, sling is a bit problematic, safety I have to use my off hand, but the mag release and operating rod are perfect.
 
I have one that my kids like to shoot, one's a lefty and he loves the gun. No ejection problems so far.
 
I think any issue would be with the operating handle flying back towards my face, but if you lefties don't mind it, sounds fine.
I used both eyes and it sounds distracting.

The military trains people to shoot right handed.
Don't remember if they made concessions in my day.
In actual combat, nobody pays much attention to somebody else's technique.

I think it's your wife's call.
 
Back in the day, everyone was right handed, whether they were left handed, or not, it didn't matter what they said.

School children were 'converted' from the sinistral from kindergarten onward. It wasn't the military's doing. This was happening in the 1950s. Happened to my father. It had stopped by the '70s.
 
Regarding the left handed safety issue, the older non-updated M1 Carbines had a push button safety similar to the one one an 870 or 1100 shotgun instead of the newer flip safety. I have an original Winchester set up this way and my lefty son has no problems with it. Try to locate an older model with the push button safety for your wife.
 
There shouldn't be a problem with her using it; but as a lefty i find rotating the safety has removed the Carbine from my hunting line-up and put it in the range-toy section.

For a similar price and similar power, but much better ergonomics for a lefty, I'd take a look at the Beretta CX4 Storm carbine, maybe in .40SW if you think 9mm is a little light (i do). As a lefty, i think it's the most Lefty-operable semi-auto i've handled, and i've handled an example of just about every major type out there.
 
I'm left handed, have been shooting for at least 44 years, and have had no problems with the M1 Carbine. Controls are easily manipulated with either hand, and any imposition the safety, mag catch, or bolt give are easily and quickly overcome with just a little practice. In other words, being left handed should NOT get in the way of using a carbine. I actually LIKE using my right hand to work the bolt and leaving my left finger on/near the trigger.
 
My has on a couple of occasions hit me with brass in the forehead. I solved that by wearing a ball cap, bill to the front.
Sounds like it is the perfect rifle to start to teach your wife the mechanics of shooting right handed.
 
Why for a bad idea?
Mini 14's are not much of a rifle and never had been. However a person could justify getting one cause they WERE cheap. Not so anymore
 
Ok, I got it .................. I forgot how people are unteachable and unable to give up bad habits and learn new better habits.
The only problem with your assumptions is I'm left handed and always shot left handed but in a relatively short time have learned to shoot right handed and now shoot equally well either way.
I wish I had asked you first cause I could have just given up right away and saved myself all that terrible learning. :neener:
 
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