I grew up being very ambidextrous, there are many tasks I do well with either hand, shooting a handgun is one of those things as I am comfortable shooting in either paw. Now I predominately carry right handed and have for years but lately I have noticed something that I want to fix. My wife has balance issues and I hold her hand a lot when we are out and it works best for her for me to hold her left hand with MY right. I have been thinking that I might start carrying left handed or go two gun and I am looking for the easiest gun to operate with my left hand as far as controls go. What do the left handed populace of Glock talk use and what has worked best for you. share your thoughts please.
Revolvers of whatever size you might prefer work just fine left-handed. Reloading looks a little different, but you typically use both hands for that task regardless of handedness.
Glocks and most other pistols with minimal controls are fine. Having always shot left handed, it's totally normal to me to use my left index finder to operate a slide release or left middle finger for a mag release. When some manufacturers started offering reversible mag releases for lefties, it seemed like a wasted effort. I've been dropping mags with the usual button for decades, why would I suddenly want to retrain myself to use my thumb on the other side of the gun? (Especially when it would be inconsistent between pistol brands).
If you prefer slide mounted safeties, 1911s, 3rd generation Smiths, M&Ps, etc. all have or can have a lever on the right side for a lefty's thumb to operate.
The only pistols I've been interested in but avoided because of handedness are the Sigs because the slide release is too far back on the slide for a lefty index finger to naturally depress.
I'm a lefty who can get by as ambidextrous. I would go with whatever you shoot best. As with Maccabeus, I've found right handed releases and slide stops easy to adapt to with the left hand, with no need for switching over. The exception for me is the 1911. I struggle with it for some reason, so I don't own one. YMMV.
I've carried S&W revolvers, S&W 3904, Beretta 92/96DAO, Steyr S40, Dan Wesson .357, Kel Tec P3AT, and HK P2000. The most "lefty friendly" out of the box was the HK, by far, but I do not use the ambi levers they provide. The rest, equally comfortable. I'm about to give Glock a try for the first time. I expect no issues.
Short version: pick a gun and holster you trust and will shoot, put as many rounds as you can afford down range with that gun from that holster. Include emergency reloads at every session. I'd use the same gun I carry strong side. It never hurts to be able to run it with either hand.
I'm a lefty who can get by as ambidextrous. I would go with whatever you shoot best. As with Maccabeus, I've found right handed releases and slide stops easy to adapt to with the left hand, with no need for switching over. The exception for me is the 1911. I struggle with it for some reason, so I don't own one. YMMV.
I've carried S&W revolvers, S&W 3904, Beretta 92/96DAO, Steyr S40, Dan Wesson .357, Kel Tec P3AT, and HK P2000. The most "lefty friendly" out of the box was the HK, by far, but I do not use the ambi levers they provide. The rest, equally comfortable. I'm about to give Glock a try for the first time. I expect no issues.
Short version: pick a gun and holster you trust and will shoot, put as many rounds as you can afford down range with that gun from that holster. Include emergency reloads at every session. I'd use the same gun I carry strong side. It never hurts to be able to run it with either hand.
The revolver thing might throw a loop at me. I started out at work in the revolver days and the way I load is so ingrained in me it might be hard to learn the left handed method.
The Beretta Nano has no external controls, except a reversible mag release. If you need both hands for a mag change, it's darn near impossible to insert a new magazine one-handed.
I'm a righty that is fairly ambi. I practice left mostly and carry left side exclusively (It makes a lot of sense in a non-British car and especially a motorcycle). Any Gen 4 Glock is easy for me, Even the 42 and 43.
I guess Youtube is my friend as well. I have been looking for revolver reload instructional videos. I might need to practice that some. Still think I need a P7 though
Mr. Cunningham used to have some tutorials posted on his blog re: lefties reloading DA revolvers. Worth taking a few minutes to see if they are still up.
Lefty here. I started out shooting only about 7 years ago. Initially went for ambi stuff, and have since realized it's easier just to keep everything the same, and now have everything setup for a righty.
P7 is a good option but they have become pretty expensive.
You might look at the Beretta PX-4 it is a completely ambidextrous TDA gun with one of the better DA trigger pulls and magazines can be had for under $30.
I am left handed and I have used 4506, 5906, 225, 228, 1911, BHP, HK USP, Glock, M&P, and who knows what else and none have been that big of a problem for me.
Glock, M&p, xd. I hope in a gun battle the only control I need to use is the trigger but I shoot matches alot, reloads, clearing etc. is quick and fluid. I leave all my guns setup as the come I am to used to them to try lefty versions of them like a gen 4 glock i leave the mag release the way it comes and hit it with my tigger finger.
In matches I also sometimes use my 686 ssr as a lefty and find the reloads pretty easy.
For left hand shooting or switching hands and carry, I would go with Walther PPS. It has a paddle release so no changes needed to release the mag with either hand ( especially if you use your trigger finger rather than your thumb)
Another choice to check out might be the Springfield XDS in 9mm.
I am ambidextrous and carry on my left. Never bothered with changing a gun's orientation as it facilitates standardization.
Carry whatever you shoot well. For me, it's Glocks, Cz's, 1911's, Sigs, revolvers... You get the picture.
A wheelgun reload lefty is no big deal if you practice. I have S&W's, Colts, Dan Wessons and Rugers: all fine.
If you must find a lefty specific gun and like revolvers, and it seems you do; Charter makes a Southpaw (that's what it's called) that is basically a mirror image of a standard revolver. It seems decent but I have no experience with it.
Whatever you do, practice, practice, practice with your new rig.
Good luck!
Left handed and I have shot and owned dozens of guns including 1911 (not ambi) Beretta M9, SW M15, Shield, Kahr, Taurus, Rossi, G26/19/17/34, Bulldog, Colt Trooper MIII, Python, and on and on.
It has never bothered me that most guns are for right handed shooters. I carry a g26 Gen3 as my daily gun and it's excellent.
Now, when I carry a K frame, generally I carry it in a OWB but with a cover garment and BUG in my front left pocket.
Glock, Kahr, M&P, HP with ambi safety, and 1911 with ambi safety are all guns I've carried and I am a lefty. I have nerve damage on my left hand as well and the only issue I've had is thumbing the safety off on the 1911. I can do it but not as smooth as I should be. Prior to having the nerve damage it was a non issue.
Like basically everybody here I can operate a standard gun, drop the magazine, the slide what is needed with the right hand. For range purposes it's all good.
Unlike many here I don't feel I want to compromise at all on the one I shoot in competition. There is no reason not to choose a gun for me, for my hand, not a compromise because I belong to a minority.
For carrying, since I never carry a spare magazine I don't worry so much, other considerations such as slim profile reliability are more cogent for carrying.
As another person above I also pocket carry in my right pocket for safety since I fish in my left pocket a lot more for stuff and I don't want finger to meet trigger in there. When I carry AIWB, which is almost always, I carry left.
I recommend looking into guns such as Walther's, H&K's, and other models like the excellent PX4 mentioned above which either have a paddle or are easily reversible and have a double slide lever. Having a quality gun that has natural controls is a pleasure we should not give up easily in my opinion.
I've never seen a Lefty have issues w/ an older model glock, and you can switch the mag release on the Gen4. I have Gen3's and while I was a Lefty for awhile (shattered R dominant wrist) I didn't have an issue operating the Gen3's...its all about training and comfort. Vickers shoots rifle L handed and pistol R, a stock AR/ M4 is designed for a righty, so...training and comfort. good luck w/ your deciding...(but then again, any reason to buy a new gun is a good one)...don't know if this is pertinent to you, but I always keep companions/ tasks way from my strong side as thats my shooting hand- maybe that'll work?
I've never seen a Lefty have issues w/ an older model glock, and you can switch the mag release on the Gen4. I have Gen3's and while I was a Lefty for awhile (shattered R dominant wrist) I didn't have an issue operating the Gen3's...its all about training and comfort. Vickers shoots rifle L handed and pistol R, a stock AR/ M4 is designed for a righty, so...training and comfort. good luck w/ your deciding...(but then again, any reason to buy a new gun is a good one)...don't know if this is pertinent to you, but I always keep companions/ tasks way from my strong side as thats my shooting hand- maybe that'll work?
So you are right handed, correrct? Title must have not been clear enough.
We don't HAVE ISSUES. What we are missing is a slide release where it would be ideal, and possibly a reversible mag release with older models. You know, the good stuff you take for granted.
AS STATED: I was forced to be a lefty for about 4mos...so unlike you regular Leftys I didn't have the benefit of habits that Leftys have when it comes to manipulating weapons that are made for Righty's, so I may actually have some good points...and I have worked in close quarters w/ a few leftys...
So as I said: Gen4's you can change the mag release...your "slide release" as you incorrectly state is a "slide lock"...and in some weapons, the silde lock won't release the slide...again this is weapon specific...so TTP's and habits are what's important...if you follow sound tactical training and develop the habit of to rack the slide to release it after a combat reload, then it won't matter which side the SLIDE LOCK is on, then you are simply left w/ the 'issue" of the mag release which Gen4 glocks take care of...if you choose to insist on using the SLIDE LOCK as a slide release, then you can simply use your index finger...
I'm sorry if my time spent being a "forced lefty" doesn't qualify in your mind, but I did carry every day as a Lefty w/ no use or my R hand, not even for reloads in the beginning...but I also have a background that required me to be proficient in ambidextrous shooting as well as one handed re loads
I'm in my 40's. Glock small frame size has always worked for me with modifications. The standard mag release has never worked for me. The Glock extended has always been a bit too long. In the past I'd file down an extended mag release but now I can just buy a Vickers for the right length and as a bonus it looks much better. I can deal with the factory slide release but prefer a Vickers also. It is made the way Glock should have made it vs. their own extended which I feel works better for a right handed shooter. The Vickers works with either hand for me.
Lefty here. Just about any pistol or revolver is workable without much frustration. For revolvers, I prefer to use the lefty Ayoob stress style reload to keep hand changes to a minimum and keep my fingers away from the forcing cone once it heats up.
For pistols, I've never had any issues adapting to most of the common combat pistols. The only thing that really turns me off is a single side mounted safety (for a righty) on a gun I want to be more than a range toy. The decocker on a classic line SIG doesn't cause me any headaches, however. Mag release doesn't matter, thumb or index finger are both easy to use. Many guns have reversible mag release buttons, so try both and decide if you have the option. Releasing the slide is generally easy to work with the left index finger, but slingshotting it is also very easy and works for every pistol. A lot of newer pistols have dual or reversible slide catch levers, and that is a feature I've noticed that I prefer after owning a gun that has low profile dual slide catch levers. Not a deal breaker without (again, just adjust grip slightly and use index finger or slingshot the slide) but guns are getting better for lefties.
Look at the
sig P320
honor guard
m&p
cz75, I can engage and release the slide with my trigger finger. I also use my trigger figure to release the mag.
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