Most modern “battle/combat” style rifles seem backwards to me.

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LoonWulf said:
I actually prefer all my controls on the right side, but I'm not using the gun in combat, and run right side reciprocating handles.

I've always shot right handed, right operated semis tho, so it's probably more just personal comfort.

I can see the advantage of doing more of it left handed tho, at least at short range and in hectic conditions.

My buddy has a a Cobalt Kinetics with dual forward assists, and ambi controls. That ones a fun gun, it's nice being able to switch sides and still run all the controls the same way.
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Sounds like a sweet piece !
 
To me it depends on the weight and length and what I am doing with it. For a long bolt action, shotgun, or even long heavy barrel AR15 there is to much leverage to really effectively remove your support hand, so it makes more sense to leave your support hand on the rifle and manipulate with your firing hand. A short 16" barrel AR carbine however does not have as much leverage on you so its very easy to hold just the pistol grip and change mag's or charge the bolt with the support hand.

Going from and AR15 to an AK47 puts me on the wrong foot because with the AR15 I want to change mags with my left hand and hit the bolt release, then I do the same with an AK and oops, now I need to shift hands to charge the bolt or have to turn it on its side so I can reach the charging handle with my left hand.

So basically if the rifle is short and light enough that I can comfortable hold it out then I prefer to manipulate with my right hand, but if its long or if I'm mainly shooting it from the bench or prone then I would rather use my shooting hand because I can better stay on target while maintaining grip with my support hand. I have several right hand charging AR's and I love them from the bench, but prefer a left side charging handle for shooting on my feet.
 
someguy2800 said:
That must be so you jam up the rifle twice as hard as with one forward assist! J/K
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Hah! That was literally my first thought when I saw it too, because the only times I've ever hit the FA it made the whole situation worse.....And who wants to pogo a 3500 dollar racegun.........

Tho i guess with two buttons, and enough weight, you might be able to put the barrel in the dirt (or ones shoe...cause ya KNOW that's gonna happen), and resize a stuck round with the chamber.......
 
Not sure why this weak hand reloading the AR is causing issues. The rifle was designed to be reloaded by the weak hand with the strong hand releasing the magazine.


Not me, but a fine example of a good AR reload. That appear to be at least an 18-inch AR with a fair bit of clap-trap hanging on it (a fore-grip, a big laser, and a light) and he does not have any issues supporting the gun with his strong hand only for all the longer the reload takes to execute.
 
rbernie said:
I cannot hold up many rifles solely with my dominant hand, due to the lack of leverage. If I want to be able to work the gun at the shoulder, I need some basic functions operable by my dominant hand.
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Indeed that is why the so Turks are on the right side so the shooter can balance the weight with the left hand/arm and manipulate the controls with the right hand. Since most people a right handed that be made the default for military rifles.
 
mcb said:
Not sure why this weak hand reloading the AR is causing issues. The rifle was designed to be reloaded by the weak hand with the strong hand releasing the magazine.
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It's not. It's just that the technique doesn't scale across larger / longer / heavier longguns. From the OP:

Additionally: I feel this way about bolt guns too. Right handed bolt guns should be fully manipulatable (made that up myself lol) with the left hand.

Edit: while most of the discussion is focusing on the M4/AR platform, I find this to be true even with AK and M14 styled rifles too.
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Varminterror said:
For the AR, operations which can be done with the rifle pointed on target are done with the right hand, such the left hand, the support hand, remains able to support the rifle. Mag changes and subsequent chamber charging actions are done by the left hand.

I often shoot right handed bolt rifles left handed, and I will say flat out, it’s an illogical hypothesis to believe a right handed bolt gun should be operated with the left hand (mirror image to what I do). If you’re breaking position between shots, you can get away with whatever manipulation you want, but if you are keeping the rifle shouldered, firing from anything but prone or benched, and staying on the gun, you’re losing ground to use your support hand to manipulate the bolt.
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I often shoot bolt action rifles left handed as well when I am on a bench or have a bipod. Not only do I not have to change the grip on my trigger hand but I'm left eye dominant. I've "experimented" shooting other rifles left handed as well with mixed results. As Varminterror stated in the top paragraph though most operations on an AR-15 can be done with the right hand. I am very comfortable shooting MSRs that way.
 
rbernie said:
It's not. It's just that the technique doesn't scale across larger / longer / heavier longguns. From the OP:
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It works with remarkable heavy guns if you're fast enough remember you'rw only supporting that gun for a couple seconds if you're doing the reload right. You can also modify the technique slightly and it works fine if slightly slower. Bring the butt stock back slightly into the arm pit of the strong arm and you can more easily support the heavier guns with just the strong hand and execute the reload in a very similar and quick manner releasing the magazine with the strong hand while feeding the new magazine into the gun with the weak hand. I have done it with heavy barrel 308 gas guns with a ~20 lb chassis gun and I am not a not a big guy.

Now loading a bolt gun without a detachable magazine it's not going to work but that is a very different animal.
 
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I never understand how guys defend poor position. If you’re supporting the rear of your rifle with your trigger hand when on the bench such your sights aren’t coming off target when removing your support hand, something is broken.
 
Varminterror said:
I never understand how guys defend poor position. If you’re supporting the rear of your rifle with your trigger hand when on the bench such your sights aren’t coming off target when removing your support hand, something is broken.
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I cant visualize that one.......
 
I run my M1a, full length Fals, Cetme, M1 carbine, Aks, carbine and 20" A4 clones Ar15s, PSLs or SVT with my left hand.
My right hand rarely leaves the pistol grip or wrist.
Using my right hand is so awkward to do anything but pull the trigger or drop a mag.

The only one that gets a right hand manipulation are the stripper clip loaded bolt rifles
 
If you set it up with the right components, you can operate everything on your rifle without your strong hand ever breaking contact from the grip.

Extended charging handle latches can get you plenty of purchase to operate with one hand. (on either side)

Larger bolt catch releases are available. I favor Magpul Battery Assist Device (BAD Levers) on my bolt catch. It facilitates locking the bolt to the rear in the instance of a malfunction, and it makes dropping the bolt on a fresh mag fast and easy.

Magazine release is right there in reach of my index trigger finger, as you noted.
 
mcb said:
Not sure why this weak hand reloading the AR is causing issues. The rifle was designed to be reloaded by the weak hand with the strong hand releasing the magazine.

That appear to be at least an 18-inch AR with a fair bit of clap-trap hanging on it (a fore-grip, a big laser, and a light) and he does not have any issues supporting the gun with his strong hand only for all the longer the reload takes to execute.
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This is one reason why a favor a rifle that balances well. I use heavy stocks on all my rifles that are a bit front heavy. Sometimes people look at me like I have three heads when I say this, but a heavier rifle can handle 'lighter' if it is well balanced.
 
IndianaBoy said:
If you set it up with the right components, you can operate everything on your rifle without your strong hand ever breaking contact from the grip.

Extended charging handle latches can get you plenty of purchase to operate with one hand. (on either side)

Larger bolt catch releases are available. I favor Magpul Battery Assist Device (BAD Levers) on my bolt catch. It facilitates locking the bolt to the rear in the instance of a malfunction, and it makes dropping the bolt on a fresh mag fast and easy.

Magazine release is right there in reach of my index trigger finger, as you noted.
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Right. But I want to buy a rifle I don’t have to put money into setting up. You know?
 
One of the advantages to bullpup rifles (besides getting a longer barrel into a shorter OAL) is the balance point is between your firing hand and your shoulder, giving you two points of support while your off hand does whatever you need to do, like run the CH, bolt release, or mag swap.

On conventional military pattern rifles I prefer a ambi mag catch and a reciprocating LH side charging handle, like the SCAR, CZ805, or Galil ACE. I can hit the mag release with my left thumb (my short fingers can't always get the RH release with my right trigger finger), insert a new mag, and hit the CH to drop the bolt. With practice it becomes pretty darn fast.

The AR15 isn't really that ergonomic, we've just got used to it and use workarounds. The CH can be operated left handed, but that puts more stress on the CH. The bolt release is tiny and doesn't have good cues for locating it by feel. Holding the bolt open (like to clear a double feed) requires both hands.

BSW
 
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CapnMac said:
And, naturally, the only way to "wrong hand" a Moisin is to deploy the bayonet so you can stick that 60-70 foot long beats in the ground and then use both hands to cycle the bolt.
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I've never had a problem turning the rifle 45 degrees to the left, sliding the butt from the shoulder to the inside of the elbow, pulling the bolt back with my right hand, using the left to hold the gun, push the butt back into the elbow, 'balancing' the rifle on the left arm, push the bolt forward, re-shoulder and fire. I learned that from my best friend who learned to shoot milsurps LH, and I reacquainted him with firing them RH, which he does exclusively now.
As for working the AR or AK LH, the AR is much easier, but the AK can be run LH also. The H&K series of rifles/SMG's also have the charging handle on the LH side.
 
daniel craig said:
Right. But I want to buy a rifle I don’t have to put money into setting up. You know?
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They are available. But setting them up yourself involves a small amount of research and can save you a significant amount of money.

A battery assist device costs 20-25 dollars and Yankee hill sells an extended charging handle latch for $14.
 
^yup. Cheap is possible.

The only real add on I've put on any of my rifles was an ambitious charging handle on the ar rifles. Thats it. Everything is mostly stock save for optics and mounts.

I swear the AK, FN and G3 were designed for left handed people.
 
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