Newbie question - ambidextrous safety

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ChuckP

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Just discovered this forum...looks great! I'm planning to purchase my first handgun for range shooting and home protection. I've fired several rentals and friend's weapons at the range (9mm, .40 and .45) and am still deciding between the 9mm and .45. I find the "snap" recoil of the .40 more objectionable than the "push" of a .45. However I'm not about the start yet another debate on the best caliber...I'll work that out.

Since I'm a left handed shooter I'd prefer a weapon with an ambidextrous safety. Yes, there are left handed models but I would prefer something that either a right or left handed shooter can use equally well. What models are you aware of, available in 9mm, .45ACP or both that have an ambidextrous safety? Thanks!

-Chuck
 
H&K makes truly ambidextrous handguns, the P2000 and P2000SK. Every control can be reached by either hand without difficulty, or is duplicated. These guns can literally be handed from a lefty to a righty and back again, without any tweaking or extra set up.

Glocks have no manual safety, so you can count them as left-hand friendly in that way -- but the mag releases and slide releases are designed for righties. The mag release can be used left-handed with practice, and there are fast & easy ways to deal with the right-hand slide release if you can someone to teach you. (Ditto XDs, except the XDs have a grip safety whereas the Glocks do not. Same basic issues as above.)

Most 1911 variants allow you to drop in an ambi safety, but a lot of shooters don't like these for carry because of the potential for "snagging" the safety off while carrying. YMMV.

pax
 
I'm a lefty as well, but like to practice with the right as well, so I am with you on the ambidextrous controls. Here are some of my favorites: Ruger KP90DC in 45ACP & P95DC in 9mm; TZ99 (Charles Daley ZDA) in 9mm which has all controls on both sides. I realize these are all decocker models, which I like, but you can get the KP90 with manual safety as well as the new 345. FN or Browning HP in 9mm and Beretta 92FS. poppy
 
Thanks for all the good info!

Also, a co-worker said I should look at Sig which uses a decocker rather than a safety. I fired a Sig P220 at the range last summer and if I recall correctly, the decocking lever is set up for righties. Nice weapon though, I fired pretty nice groups using a beat up rental.

Thanks again and I'm sure I'll be back with more questions as I zero in on the Christmas gift I plan to buy for myself.

-Chuck
 
I'm a lefty, and I carry a Sig.

They're not lefty hostile at all.

Don't fear the 1911 ambisafety. A fair number of them come that way from the factory these days.
 
I'm left handed and find the Browning High Power and Ruger semiautos very lefty-friendly. So is a 1911 when fitted with an ambidextrous safety. Some come from the factory that way, but if you are reasonably handy you can buy the parts and install it yourself, which I did.

Aside from semiautos, revolvers tend to be southpaw friendly.
 
Look at the Kimber CDP Pro. Light, easily concelable, and comes with an ambi. I've had several ambi's installed. The opposite side safety if large tends to rub as you carry it becoming uncomfortable. Keep that in mind when you buy or have one installed. I had a Colt Mustang worked over with an ambi safety and night sights. I ended up grinding over half the pad off on each side of the safety so that I could carry it easily. I have also carried many DA/SA auto's at first notch cock with safety off but that is probably not the best scenerio to use. Short story when I was in LE I purchased a BHP. The safety was right hand only and all gunsmiths in my area wanted very high prices to "make" an ambi. I learned to draw and cock the hammer with my right hand and became very quick at this. Ofcourse this takes hours and hours of practice.
Jim
 
Just a nitpick... the Springfield XD series pistol has a mag release that can be activated from either side... that is, pushing it in from the left or the right.

Also, the CZ-75 series pistols are originally set up with a left side safety only. The CZ-85 combat has the ambidextrous safety.

Now back to your normal programming.
 
Lefty here too.

I carry a Kimber with an ambi safety as well.

But, the most user friendly pistol I have to date is a Bersa Mini-Firestorm in .45 ACP.

Both safety and slide release are on both sides.

bersa_thunder45_sn_large.gif
 
CZs with left handed (right side of pistol facing down range) safeties:
CZ-75 SA, Champion, Standard IPSC, Tactical Sport
CZ85B and 85 Combat
CZ75 Compact .40

I *think* thats all.


Springfield has a lot of 1911 models with ambi safeties, the Loaded versions come to mind. I'm sure a lot of 1911 makers offer them from the factory.

hope this helps a tiny bit.
 
I'm a lefty too,

Beretta 92 series
Beretta PX4
Bersa .45 (frame mounted safety but no cocked and locked)
Taurus 92 series (if you prefer cocked and locked carry)
TZ99, CZ99, Charles Daly ZDA (same design, more lefty friendly than a SIG)

there's a lot out there.
 
Rob1035 said:
CZs with left handed (right side of pistol facing down range) safeties:
CZ-75 SA, Champion, Standard IPSC, Tactical Sport
CZ85B and 85 Combat
CZ75 Compact .40

I *think* thats all.


Springfield has a lot of 1911 models with ambi safeties, the Loaded versions come to mind. I'm sure a lot of 1911 makers offer them from the factory.

hope this helps a tiny bit.
Click to expand...

CZ75b in .40SW as well ( I am a leftie, and I carry a Sig 226 on duty with no problems) +1 on the Bersas being very leftie friendly..my wife has a Thunder 9 which shoots like a dream and is ambi everything, except the mag release, which you can switch over in 10 seconds if you want.
 
Hi there,

As an unabashed HP fan, I think you know what my recommendation would be for you.

I've owned .45's and .40's and still do. The handgun I shoot the most and most economically is my Browning High Power.

If you buy one, you will never want to let it go.

Chris
 
carolinaman said:
Hi there,

As an unabashed HP fan, I think you know what my recommendation would be for you.

I've owned .45's and .40's and still do. The handgun I shoot the most and most economically is my Browning High Power.

If you buy one, you will never want to let it go.

Chris
Click to expand...
I'd just like to add, if you buy a Beretta all your wildest dreams will come true :D
 
Decided on a PT92

While Taurus tends to get beat up on their quality and reliability, I was pretty pleased with the rental I fired at the range last week. 150 rds and not a single failure. It is a truly ambidextrous weapon and I like the Sig-like decocker feature. What probably sealed the deal was my local dealer sold me a brand new PT92, matte stainless with two 17 rd mags, for $450 (I assume that's a decent price when retail is over $600). I figure it's a good start for my first pistol larger than .22LR. I'll post a report after my first day at the range with it.
 
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