Picking my Weapon Hand

[sheepdog96]

:banghead: This has really been bugging me. I want to order a holster for my new FNP9 and I cant decide on which side I want to use. I guess the bottom line is I am ambidextrous. I do all my everyday tasks as a lefty. I write left handed, eat with my left hand, etc. Every since I started shooting guns I really just adapted to use my right hand because 99% of guns are setup for right handed people. I had two handguns a while back and ended up having to sell them but when I did own them I shot them right handed. Growing up I had the same issue playing baseball and basketball. I was a left handed pitcher 90% or the time but didnt have a real problem switching over to the other side.

Well I just got my FNP9 back from the gun shop and have been wearing it around the house in just a cheap holster I had and realized that I can carry both ways. I guess this is a good thing that I am able to switch back and forth and have it not affect me but now it has ruined my decision. I had planned on ordered a MTAC holster for left handed draw and now I am unsure. I have been walking around and have switched the holster back and forth a number of times and realize it is almost more comfortable on the right side

Now I am sitting here starting at my left handed shopping cart reconsidering if I should hit the "submit order" button. What would you guys do? Are there any other ambidextrous shooters in here? Being that the FNP9 is ambidextrous it really doesnt matter. Expect for the slide release that is designed for a righty. If god forbid something did happen is there a benefit to having it on the right side? I guess I would be able to use my stronger arm for other tasks if need be.

Just looking for your alls opinion since most of you here have more experience and maybe someone has run across this issue before.

 

[autospike]

Which eye is dominant? I would favor that side.

http://vision.about.com/od/contactlenses/ht/Eye_Dominance.htm

 

[sheepdog96]

Which eye is dominant? I would favor that side.

Left eye dominant for sure. Any downsides of crossing my right eye over the sight to use my left eye when shooting right handed? (hope thats not to confusing)

 

[9mmepiphany]

You should shoot with whichever eye is dominate. It will make a difference in the ultimate speed at which you can make accurate hits

 

[ahandgunner2]

I am right handed , left eye dominant and shoot with both eyes open. It's no problem "crossing your right eye over" since it's not like a rifle. I just hold my handgun a little to the left of center and can quickly and easily be on target.

I personally don't see either as an advantage except for what is MOST natural to you. As a righty, I know I ALWAYS reach with my right for anything so habit says my gun should be where my right hand can get it.

But I guess if you do something enough, you can get used to anything...like my "left-handed cell phone" (to make room for CCW - I naturally reach for it with my left hand now.

Are you just as good right handed as left with trigger control, grip strength, etc. ? If not, stick to left - if so......your choice!

 

[Nar]

I too am ambidextrous and I agree that when using gun it tends to be easier to use them right handed, that said i have been using all my autoloaders left handed (not revolvers because of how the cylinder swings out). I still use long guns right handed also, but i feel that if i had to swich to a side arm i could draw fast with the left since the rifle or what ever won't be in the way (I am yet to time this, right now it's just personal belief). So I say get a lefty holster.

 

[Rail Driver]

It does make sense to me. I know several shooters that are either lefties or ambidextrous that train right handed on the rifle, but left handed on their sidearm. I can see how it would speed transitions. I wonder if I can learn to shoot my pistols left handed without eating brass ...?

 

[BravoGorilla]

I'm also ambidextrous, but predominately left handed and have the same issue. I've gotten pretty used to left handed use, though. Part of it is my fingers are kind of short so in a lot of ways, it's easier for me to manipulate magazine releases and slide releases with my index finger than it is to try and adjust my grip to get my thumb in there. Other than hand preference, your stance will also make a big difference. I find that if I am moving at all while shooting left-handed, the empties flying out of the gun hit me in the face or get caught in my clothes. This may not be true for you, though. Absolutely all else being equal, I'd opt to operate the gun for the hand it's intended. If that means you're using your right hand hand, it frees up your strong hand. If you're still stumped, a very simple exercise that can help make the decision is to place the gun on a table, setting it upright with the muzzle propped up and without thinking at all grab the handgun. Whichever hand you grab it with is probably the hand you should use. It may help to have someone there to give you the go, though so you don't skew the test. It is handy (if you'll forgive the pun) to be ambidextrous, especially if you ever have to use your firearm in your house or really any situation where you'd need to be able to come around corners with your gun ready to go. Also, remember, the most important thing is being able to arm yourself. Once your gun is in your hand and ready to go, you can worry about stance and grip.

 

[NMGonzo]

Carry one on each side for a while.

 

[Manco]

I'm ambidextrous but choose to favor my right hand for things like writing and using tools in general. Why? Because most people are right-handed and most tools are therefore designed for right-handed use (when sidedness is an issue), so it makes the most sense (and my life easier). Ironically, as a result I actually perform most tasks (when sidedness is not an issue) overall with my left hand because it leaves my right hand free to perform the most critical tasks (most of which I can do with my left hand anyway, including writing, but I sort of "identify" with being right-handed). It's kind of weird, like the character Clint Eastwood plays in For a Few Dollars More (nicknamed "Manco") who does almost everything with his left hand but shoots with his right. I don't have a dominant eye, so just like with writing and eating (I could eat with my left hand, but I rarely try to be "different" merely for the sake of being different--only when different is better!), I choose to shoot primarily with my right hand. Of course, I also shoot with my left hand sometimes, but holsters and everything related to sidedness are positioned and oriented for right-handed use (except revolver reloads because I use my left hand for that--I'm so mixed up! ).

In your case, however, I agree with the others that your dominant left eye makes it advantageous for you to shoot lefty. Everything else related to sidedness is easier to work around or avoid, but you must have a clear and proper view of the sight picture to be at your best. That said, with handguns it doesn't matter so much since you could tilt your head to use either eye, but I think it's probably best if you get used to shooting primarily on the left side--that's what I would do if my left eye were dominant.

I know several shooters that are either lefties or ambidextrous that train right handed on the rifle, but left handed on their sidearm. I can see how it would speed transitions.

That's an interesting idea. Of course, in this case the OP would train to shoot long guns with his left and handguns with his right.

 

[BNDIT 1]

I write left-handed, use scissors right, shoot pool left, throw right, computer mouse either, handgun right, long gun left but if I could I'd do it with the right because hot gun powder sprayed on your right forearm sucks!

 

[glassman]

I write left handed and throw/bat/kick a ball from the left side. I bowl poorly with either hand and draw a bow with either hand. My brain doesn't seem to be able to make up it's mind in those areas. I am, however, right eye dominant and shoot right handed. I've tried shooting lefty but it feels really awkward. As other's have said, shoot from the side of your dominant eye.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Sheepdog,

Just carry two. One on each side. That way either hand can be used.

Deaf

 

[Manco]

Sheepdog,

Just carry two. One on each side. That way either hand can be used.

Or both at once!