Question for lefties.

[Jiml3]

I have a lady friend looking for a semi in 9mm. that is lefty friendly. While it is primarily for home, a medium size would be best. It should have an ambi safety or none and hopefully a mag release on the right or at least somewhere that is friendly to a lefty.
Many thanks!

 

[caseypj]

Are you sure you want a safety? I have an XD9 which has an ambidextrous magazine release, but it doesn't have a true safety, just a grip safety and trigger safety. Personally, I'd never use a handgun with a safety for home defense, it just becomes a liability in a time of need.

 

[Jiml3]

caseypj:

It's not necessary that it have a safety, but if it does, it should be ambidextrous! Thanks for the heads up on the XD9.

 

[sta500rdr]

I ran into the same problem as a lefty. I looked all over the place to find something that was left handed friendly and did not cost me an arm and a leg. I ended up deciding on a Magnum Research Baby Eagle .45 because it has an ambi-safety/hammer release and an easy to reach mag release. I think it was the HK's that have the option of switching things around to the other side, but I did not care for how they felt when I was holding them.

 

[cheeseburger61]

I shoot left handed and actually like where the mag releases are normally found on a right handed gun. I can operate it much quicker and easier with my middle finger on my left hand than I can with my thumb if it is on the opposite side. A S&W MP9 would be a great choice, that is what I have. It comes with different size grips and women can usually control it quite well. I have Glocks and other pistols as well, but I can shoot the MP9 much better than any of the other non 1911 guns I own. You can get it either full size or compact. The 9mm is quite adequate for home defense with proper ammo and practice rounds are the least expensive to shoot.

 

[LB7_Driver]

Being left-handed, I still use the mag release in the standard position.

Any ARs and 1911s I'd buy would need an ambi-safety, and they are available for those platforms.

The Springfield Armory XD has an ambi mag release, which is a good thing. As a left-handed person (as opposed to a "Leftie" ) I would seriously consider this platform.

 

[usp9]

One outstanding ambidexterous pistol is the HK P2000SK or P2000. The HK P7 is another great choice. Kahr pistols are also ambidexterous. The T9 or TP9 is a really nice pistol.

 

[Jiml3]

Thanks for the suggestions, I will pass them along.

 

[ChuckB]

I'm going to second the XD recommendation. Great for my left-handed use!

Chuck

 

[4v50 Gary]

As a southpaw, I use a Sig P220 with the magazine release set up for the right thumb. I reversed it once then reconverted it as it's normal for me to use my index finger to drop the magazine. The decocker is operated by the trigger finger.

I'd consider the CZ-85 Compact as it has ambidextrious controls and feels very comfortable in smaller hands. BTW, the XD is also an excellent gun.

Whatever gun she chooses, have her practice one handed operation and non-dominant hand operation. This includes reloading drills and tap-rack-bang with one hand. The more familiar she becomes with her gun, the more confidence she'll have in herself with it. Kudos to her!

 

[berettaprofessor]

Beretta 92's have ambidex safeties and the mag release on most of the pistols can be flipped to the right side. A single stack compact version of the 92 is available if she has small hands and if you look for it. If she doesn't mind a slightly smaller caliber, the 380ACP 84, 85' and 86's are smaller and much nicer to shoot with the same advantages for left-hand use.

 

[redraidermgr]

The S&W M&P 9mm would be a good one for her. You can switch the mag release in seconds and it has an ambi slide release.

My wife shot mine and was very impressed and liked it very much. They also have a M&P9 compact version if she wants smaller.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Wow I can think of so many guns.
-XD
-SIG
-Glock
-H&K
-Beretta

I think what is probably more important is that she get the basics of gun handling down and then work to learn the "big four"...
-Strong hand, two handed
-Strong hand, single handed
-Weak hand, two handed
-Weak hand, single handed

 

[dullone]

Only going to say this once: BERSA

 

[PawDaddy]

I am a lefty and really haven't had problems with any handguns that I have owned. I currently have a SW99. It has ambi mag release and no safety.

But, we lefties live in a right hand world so we learn to adapt. It just takes practice and familiarizing yourself with a pistol. I would never own a pistol that had a safety UNLESS IT WAS AMBI! I prefer no safety.

Take a look at the Ruger P95. I had one but sold it because it was to bulky for concealed carry. It was a good shooter and never missed a beat. Mine had the decocker. The P95 would be a good option for her.

 

[harmonic]

I shoot left handed and my carry piece is a Sig 239 SAS. It is double action only, so there's no hammer drop. That's left handed friendly.

That being the case, there is also no external safety. No need for one.

That leaves only the magazine button. No big deal.

An outstanding self defense weapon. It's light, small, and very easy to use. Plus it comes with night front sight.

 

[Tortuga12]

Although not especially small...

I believe the Ruger P-Series is fully ambidextrous, and built like a tank, too! 9 mm felt like .38 wadcutters in my dad's P-85 Mk II. More accurate than the internet would imply, too!

 

[SDDL-UP]

The CZ-85 COMBAT has an ambidextrous safety and slide release, but the CZ-75B and SP-01 have ambidextrous safeties and a reversible magazine release.

 

[critter]

HK P7 M8! Squeeze cocker (ambi) and no other safety (none needed). Mag release on both sides.

 

[DZL HOG]

Im left handed and shoot an XD9 also. Even tho the mag release is ambi, most of the time I use my middle finger to drop the mag. I usually use my trigger finger to release the slide also. The newer the gun the tougher it will be, get a couple 100 rounds thru it and the controls will loosen up.
I played with an M&P9 in a store one day, it has ambi slide release. It was pretty hard for me to release the slide with my thumb. But Im sure with some rounds thru the gun it would loosen up.
Either of those would be a good choice I think. I also have a Kahr PM9 thats DAO so no safety. But the mag release is right handed. Still a simple gun to shoot.
Which ever one feels the best in her hand and shoots the best will be the one. She will adapt to all the other stuff like the rest of the left handed ppl in this right handed world.