Lefty options for pistols?

Robert.B

Robert.B

Joined
Apr 17, 2003
Messages
5,283
So what is there that have safety and such designed for lefties? I've mostly been a rifle guy due to legalities where I am from but going to come over and get into pistol shooting and eventually once legal CCW. I've used pistols at the range that were for right handers and just found it annoying having everything on the other side of the frame, and could see that as a disadvantage for conceal carry use.

So recommendations? what are you lefties carrying and taking to the range? :)
 
the 1911 has an ambidextrous safety on it (and a grip safety), i dont know the laws where you live, but take a look at Kimber, they have 1911 in multiple sizes, from full size down to a 3 inch barrel
 
I've been shooting 'righty' pistols my whole life and I learned to operate the mag release left-handed and unlock the slide with my index finger. 1911s with standard safeties are about as lefty-friendly as it gets: Sam Colt was left-handed! You can just flick off the safety as part of your draw.
 
I'm not a lefty, but have several left handed friends that shoot USPSA ... most use a 1911 style pistol with a quality (I like Ed Brown stuff) ambi safety... the ambi safeties typically have a tongue/slot joint and that is a weak point, but is very infrequent to see one break... installed properly the grip panel provides a solid stop for the thumb pad, and the detent on the left side should work smoothly ...most manipulate the mag release button with their left hand... I have Ed Brown slanted safeties on all my 1911s for weak hand requirements... that said, I shoot a Glock 34 most of the time... just draw and shoot
 
Most any modern automatic will suffice. I've got a 1911 with an ambi safety, a Glock 19, an XDM and an LCP. I have a fair amount of experience with Berettas, SIGs and various Smith & Wessons.

The XDM has ambidextrous magazine releases and no external safety. The mag release I can take or leave, as I've just gotten used to manipulating a standard release with my index finger. My Gen 4 Glock 19 has a reversible magazine release, but I haven't bothered to switch it. Slide releases I don't really worry about. You can practice working them with your index finger, although most are pretty stiff for this. I just practice re-charging the slide.

Get some snap caps, practice your draw an malf drills. Get some classes and a lot of range time in, you'll be fine.

Revolvers are not lefty-friendly. Firing them is a non-issue, reloads are not as convenient as they are for right-handed shooters.
 
I'll be in Idaho once I settle down so very friend laws for non-citizen legal residents :)

I have friends that own kimbers and they like them A LOT so that will likely be my first point to look into...thanks a lot for the recommendations, sounds like the 1911 is winning on all counts. And I do like the aftermarket options availible since its such a popular pistol type.
 
Try an Heckler & Koch P2000 (or one of its derivitives). Ambidextrous and high quality. Nice trigger pull too. Having said that, and from a firearms instructor perspective, you should get comfortable manipulating your weapon with either hand dominating and also with one hand only.
 
It's discontinued but readily available, the HK P7 is also fully ambidextrous. I'm right-handed, but I've shot and operated it with only left or right just to see if I could. The only 'control' that's biased toward right-handedness is the button used to remove the slide from the frame. Not sure if you have a particular caliber in mind tho.
 
REVOLVER. I have been shooting for a long time. I like semi auto pistols but sometimes they jam at the damnest of times. A Glock comes to mind if you are comfortable with a trigger safety and they are very fine firearms.
 
strider214 said:
Try an Heckler & Koch P2000 (or one of its derivitives). Ambidextrous and high quality. Nice trigger pull too. Having said that, and from a firearms instructor perspective, you should get comfortable manipulating your weapon with either hand dominating and also with one hand only.
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I'm sure I'll give that a go once I can get some range time in but for the most part i'd like something that will be predominantly used left handed...I mean its not going to stop me buying certain pistols I want but are right bias, its just that I likely wont carry those and will want something I can rely on should the situation arise.

I will be joining the local range to ensure I get properly instructed...I'm a wizard with a rifle but I've fired maybe 3 or 4 pistols in my life and that was only a few rounds in each so I'd hate to pick up any bad habits just winging it. :)

Thanks for the recommendations guys!
 
Heckler & Koch HK45 Compact. It has slide release, mag release on both sides. You can also get a lefty safety/decock lever. It's a truly ambidexterous pistol. HKs are bomb proof, very well made, and highly accurate. Expensive though.

lg_hk45c.jpg

lg_hk45_5.jpg
 
Ruger vaquero 3 3/4"barrel sheriff's model .45. Single action pistols are left hand friendly. I either carry that or a 4" stainless Ruger GP 100 most days
 
The HK P2000, P30, and HK45 were all designed to be ambidextrious and are all awesome pistols. I shoot lefty and the ergos are perfect.
 
I carry the HK P2000 at work and hate it. Too small for my hands and although the mag release is on both sides of the grip I have to brace the barrel on my support hand to be sure to get the magazines ejected.

I like S&W --06 series: 5906, 4006, 1006, etc. Safety/decocker is ambi. I think the mag release is only right handed but its a button and I've always pushed those with my left hand no problems. I like them as I can put on the safety (lowers hammer while taking gun out of battery) and then flip the safety off. Gun is back in battery and in pull, poiont, shoot mode.

I also like the Sig P229 just fine. I wish we could carry it at work.
 
crazyengineer said:
the 1911 has an ambidextrous safety on it (and a grip safety), i dont know the laws where you live, but take a look at Kimber, they have 1911 in multiple sizes, from full size down to a 3 inch barrel
Click to expand...

Agreed. A very lefty friendly platform.

Second would be a FNP-9 / FNP-40.
 
So far the 1911 is out in front, anyone know what sort of cash a basic model goes for? I would like a kimber but for a while I doubt I'll be laying out that sort of cash on a firearm...what brands/makes are to be avoided? I wont buy norinco, had BAD experiences with the rifles they make so open to opinion.
 
Just another vote for H&K. Any/all of their current models can be made "lefty". Top quality too.
 
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