Pistol for left-handed shooter?

[jasons]

My dad is a lefty (meaning he's left handed, he's not an Obama supporter) and he has a hard time operating my "righty" pistols. Specifically the de-cocking levers and slide catches.

Any lefties out there who can weigh in with experience on good brands / models for lefties? Looking for a reasonably priced carry pistol here - a $2000 custom mirror image 1911 is probably not going to be in the cards.

I was thinking something DAO with a passive safety. Glock or Walther P99QA come to mind.

 

[Len-2A Training]

Not a lefty, but married to a left-handed woman.

- Glocks with the ambi mag release.

- M&Ps

- H&K USPs have a lefty version available

- I think that some 1911s have a variant. I know you can put an ambi safety on it, not sure of slide-lock.

Those are just a few guns that I'm familiar with and not intended to be all-inclusive.

 

[oldsoldier29]

Berettas are largely ambi-me being lefty, I have the same issues. The safety is lefty for most berettas, not the mag release though.

 

[96cbr900rr]

M&P

 

[Shepherd]

Berettas are largely ambi-me being lefty, I have the same issues. The safety is lefty for most berettas, not the mag release though.

The mag release on a 92FS can be switched around for a left handed shooter. It is fairly easy to do.

 

[Andy in NH]

he has a hard time operating my "righty" pistols. Specifically the de-cocking levers and slide catches.

Any lefties out there who can weigh in with experience on good brands / models for lefties?

I'm a lefty also.

If your dad has normal dexterity in his hand he can learn to operate most (right hand dominate) pistols efficently.

On the Glocks and Berretta 92 / M9, I activate the magazine release with the middle finger of firing hand. I never bothered to have the magazine release for the 92 switched. I feel that activating a magazine release with a thumb requires a greater shift of the firing grip than using middle finger.

Engaging the slide stop to lock the slide open is never any trouble. I lift up the slide stop up with my trigger finger and pull the slide to the rear. To release the slide, I don't use the slide stop, but instead use the saddleback (vice slingshot) method for grasping the slide for a small tug and release.

I was thinking something DAO with a passive safety.

I agree - stay away from anything with a manual decocker.





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[EddieCoyle]

If your dad has normal dexterity in his hand he can learn to operate most (right hand dominate) pistols efficently.

This.

I'm a lefty and I have little trouble with anything except Sigs.

Many 3rd Gen S&W autos have an ambi safety/decocker on the slide.

 

[Mike-Mike]

Lefty here.. Tell him to figure it out. Us lefty's are pretty good at that. And dont be surprised if you find out that he can operate an AR a hell of alot faster than you.

 

[rep308]

The mag release on a 92FS can be switched around for a left handed shooter. It is fairly easy to do.

It's better for lefties, you use your index finger. Most handguns are lefty friendly with the noted exception of High Power and clones, and yes Sig Sauer hates lefties.

 

[levergun]

I'm a lefty too. All my guns are righty. As others have mentioned, just try it a few times. Once he gets the hang of it it works pretty good.

The Ruger P94DC I have is very good. Controls are very ambidextrous. I don't have any trouble with 1911's either- just took a few tys to get it smooth.

Or... Get the only try lefty gun.... The Colt SAA.... They never made one in righty.

 

[mac1911]

Smith & Wesson 4013tsw ambi decocker and the mag release is reversable. I find it easeier to use my middle finger of my left hand to release the mag, rather than switch it

 

[Pilgrim]

Walther P99

 

[gillis51]

Walther P5

 

[supton]

Given how few guns are "lefty", it's probably best to learn to shoot righty's and not have to pay extra. Plus, I have to wonder if reloads on a wheelgun are easier, since the dominate hand is on the proper side.

Try looking on gunblast.com--I recall that guy being a lefty, and there was a review or two of lefty guns.

 

[Mike_Diako]

I'm a lefty as well and have pretty much adapted to using right hand guns. The M&P's are nice for a lefty though.

 

[KMM696]

The best lefty friendly pistol I've used is a H&K P7M8 - but it falls in the hard to find and expensive category.

I would recommend adjusting to right handed pistols - there's a lot more of those out there than lefties, and it's much simpler to have one set of motions to learn & practice.

For the slide catch, I never use it to release the slide and slingshot it forward instead. To engage the slide catch, I rotate the pistol so the ejection port is down, wrap my right hand around the back of the slide so my thumb falls over the slide catch notch (roughly), and pull the slide back. With the slide all the way back, my right thumb should end up over the slide catch - engage it, and let the slide down onto it. Don't let the right hand fingers block the ejection port - if there's a round in the chamber you want it out of the pistol, not still inside the slide. On very small pistols there isn't always enough slide real estate for this to work, depending on hand size.

I've never had a problem decocking (even Sigs) lefty, but I do have abnormally long fingers. I think the important bit to remember is that decocking is not a speed operation. If you're decocking, your target (be it paper, rabid pet or people) is neutralized, so there's no rush at all. If you aren't sure it's neutralized, than why are you decocking?

Left hand operation of firearms is not always done the way the right handed example in the manual says. Alternate methods that work for your father can be developed, but should be worked slowly at first to ensure the weapon is operated safely.

The only unavoidable block to left hand pistol operation I've found is a right hand safety on a single-action such as a 1911. Have to get an ambi safety for that. I prefer stainless, so there's less refinishing to do when I grind off the righty safety.

 

[mac1911]

http://www.charterfirearms.com/community/PR_southpaw.html

One thing I have noticed in my LH life. Most LH models are designed by right handed people. Kinda like men designing things for women. I have just learned to shoot lefty with right handed firearms or add ambi dextrous controls if can be done. Also as stated I learn to shoot right handed . I also believe shooting righty comes easier for left handed shooters. I practice both

 

[Chuck Would]

Shoot with both hands. I was born left handed but adapted. I was pretty even hitting the paper with either hand when I started shooting and chose to shoot pistol righty.

Shooting CAS, I'm a double duelist and shoot the left pistol with my left and right pistol with my right.

 

[Horrible]

M&P. Ambi-dexterous slide release. Reversable magazine catch.

 

[Sprocket]

To mirror some statements above:
3rd Gen S&W DAO - I CCW one every day - basically a 12 shot revolver (11+1)

The M&P series from S&W has my attention but I haven't played with one in full Lefty config. I'm looking to trade my 3rd gen for an M&P40C...

Sigs are unfriendly, even for us "figure it out" types.

Can't comment on 1911 types

Good luck in your search

 

[jasons]

I'm a lefty and I have little trouble with anything except Sigs.

....and yes Sig Sauer hates lefties.

Sigs are unfriendly, even for us "figure it out" types.

Perhaps not surprisingly it's my new p226 that he has the most trouble with. My P99c with AS trigger is a lot easier for him - the decocking button is much easier for him to find and get to than the lever on the 226. I think he'd really like a Glock but I don't have one (yet.)

Thanks for the wisdom.