Close to twenty years ago, when I had to sleep with splints on BOTH wrists, I did some experimenting, and found that I could successfully manipulate a single-action revolver, which was a very high-quality replica of the Colt Single Action Army, while wearing both of those splints. (Carpal Tunnel issues.) Something to think about, depending upon what your splint allows your right hand to do, and if you are able to experiment with a relevant revolver. I am not “recommending” a single-action revolver, for self-defense, but, depending upon the totality of the circumstances, one may do what seems to be the less-bad choice.
I did not start carrying until I became a police officer, at which time being able to shoot with either hand being the “primary” hand was simply being survival-minded. (At the time, private citizens could not generally carry, in Texas.) So, I worked on shooting right-handed AND left-handed, starting 40+ years ago. I mostly worked on shooting duty-sized handguns right-handed, and compact handguns left-handed. In 1983/984/1985, that meant medium- and large-frame revolvers right-handed, and J-Frame revolvers lefty. My ankle hosters, for S&W J-Frame revolvers, have always been more-or-less ambidextrous, reachable with eighter hand. It is difficult to remember exactly when I bought my first true left-hand everyday-carry-type concealable-carry belt holster, but it was certainly more than thirty years ago.
Notably, I chose to carry on my right side, because I throw with my right arm, but, I write left-handed. I am not truly ambidextrous, but, pulling a double-action trigger seemed to be something that was more-or-less equally achievable. So, in a way, I opted to carry with my “less-smart” hand, more than four decades ago, because drawing a hefty duty sixgun, from the then-mandated low-slung duty holster, was not unlike grabbing a three-pound hunk of metal, and tossing it under-handed.
In 2025, I typically start the day with a smll-frame revolver in my left front pocket. My right hand has multiple problems, and my right shoulder is not nearly what it once was. At age 22, when I started carrying, my left hand was my “smarter” hand, while my right arm was my “stronger” arm. Well, my right hand and arm are now gimpy, so my left upper appendage is both smarter and stronger. (This does not mean that I do not carry anything on my right side, but, I do not want to type a book, or distract from the main topic.)
