Truely ambidextrious

[PolarPanda]

Aside from the H&K P2000 is there any other handgun out there that is truely ambi? I have looked at the SW M&P but its not true. The mag is either/or but not both. I am looking for something that is full time ambi safe, slide release, and mag drop. Not something that can be switched. Is there something out there that I missed? TIA

 

[Peter M. Eick]

What about the H&K P7 PSP series? Heel butt mag release so either hand, squeeze cocker safety, so no extra levers. Automatically safe as soon as you release the pressure on the squeeze cocker. Can be shoot DA or SA by manipulation of trigger and cocking lever.

Its my carry gun and I still have 2 spares "just in case".

 

[Coronach]

I think the only control that is not ambi on the P7/PSP series is the takedown button. You can't get more ambi than a P7.

Mike

 

[HSMITH]

Why is the mag release a big deal? It can be operated one handed with either hand on most guns with a thumb or a forefinger.

This exclusion keeps a TON of really good guns that otherwise meet all of your criteria out of the running, that is why I ask.

 

[Geronimo45]

CZ 85, CZ 83.

 

[10-Ring]

My first thought in a truely ambi pistol is the HK P7M8 or PSP. Also, I'd look at HK's USP and USPc w/ ambi-safety or go w/ DAO or LEM.

 

[blackedoutharley]

True ambi??? as in for right handed amputees?

Bersa Thunder/Mini-Firestorm in either 9mm, 40 S&W or 45 ACP. This is a completely ambi gun from the slide release to the mag drop and safety/decocker.

The price is right also (though mags are expensive!) and they come in either matte, stainless or 'duo-tone'.

p.s. the CZ 85 is a GREAT gun but limited to 9mm.

I have the CZ 75B in 40 S&W and I am a total lefty but the slide release and mag drop are easy to use. This is probably the very best pistol I have ever owned for the $$ and if you dont have a CZ in your collection, your collection is not complete!

 

[PolarPanda]

Just to clarify, there are a few reasons in wanting a true ambi handgun, primarily, at one time, a guy in my unit was in a position where his right arm was broken and still needed to shoot. After talking with Tim, the main problem was with releasing the slide. I know its always best to run the slide all the way back, but we are not always in the best of situations. Mag drop was not a big issue. I know a mag drop can be operated with thumb or finger depending on what side it is on and what hand you are shooting with, that is more of a personal request for the wife, as she will be shooting this gun too, and I want it to be as easy as possible for her. That goes for the safety as well. Hopefully this will answer any questions and clear a few things up. TIA

 

[cocojo]

Walther P-5 it ejects casings to the left.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

In the case you describe with a P7 you just squeeze the cocking lever and the slide releases. If you are holding the trigger back at the same time it fires ala double action. If you have the trigger clear, then you are cocked and ready to fire single action.

Also you can eject mags from a P7 by scraping the butt across your leg and they will pop clear. Now sticking the mag in would require you to hold the gun between your legs but once you stuck it in, you could be shooting again in seconds.

I have for fun one handed only loaded my p7 just like I described to prove a point.

 

[PolarPanda]

Mr. Eick,
As you desribe, putting the mag between the legs to hold it would be a good option. As I understand it, he was having to put the pistol down after dropping the mag, pulling out another, starting it into the mag well, grabbing the pistol and more or less rolling it up onto the mag, forcing it the rest of the way in. I guess the situation really dictates the best way to get the job done. Thanks for the info.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Bersa Thunder larger caliber models (9,40,45) are ambi with a reversible mag release.
www.bersafirearmsusa.com

 

[Peter M. Eick]

The way I did it was use the heal butt release and just hit my thigh with it. The mag will pop out about 1/2 inch till it hits your thigh. Then use the cuff of your pants to hook the mag out. Now stuff the gun with the slide back between your legs and "squeeze" it. Grab mag and slam it into the butt. Grab gun and start squeezing both the trigger and the cocking lever on the way back on target. As soon as you are close to on sight, go for full cock and it will fire.

Lot harder to write then do.

I would not do it often but it proved to me that the P7 PSP is very ambidextrous and easy to shoot one handed.

 

[mpbond]

The S&W M&P has an ambi. slide release and reversible mag release.

 

[Navy87Guy]

You should consider training one-handed. I was taught to rack the slide one-handed by hooking the rear sight against my pant leg (pockets are good) and using the to hold the slide as you move your hand down. There aren't many guns around that will offer you true ambidexterous operation as you've described. It would useful to have trained and have the skills to successfully operate any handgun you happen to have in a fight.

Jim

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I'm not left-handed but have done some experimentation. The only things really difficult to operate left-handed are frame-mounted thumb safeties and SIG slide stops. An ambidextrous thumb safety can be added to those guns that don't already have it, magazine releases can be operated with the trigger or middle finger, and the SIG decocking lever can be operated with the trigger finger. As for the SIG slide stop, just don't use it when reloading, instead "slingshotting" the slide home. For manually locking open the slide (something that is not normally done in a hurry) you can switch hands.

Another almost truly ambidextrous gun (according to the criteria set forth by the OP) was the old Walther P88, with its ambi decocker/slide stop levers. I'm not sure about the magazine release. Of course, you would have to a) find one, and b) pay dearly for it.