[BigSeanStudd]

I'm helping a friend of mine buy his first AR. He's left handed and was asking me a few questions that I didn't know how to answer. I was hoping maybe a few of you could help me out...

Should he even be buying one or should he just learn on a regular, right handed AR? How many companies make a left handed AR? Any recommended companies? I am WELL FAMILIAR with many AR companies, but not for left handed models... Anyone care to shed more light on things that I'm not thinking of??? I've heard that some of the tools necessary to work on right-handed models are not available for left (or at least hard to find)... Thanks in advace all...

 

[bilmac]

Gobs of left handed GI's have done fine with right handed M16s and M4s. Some types of actions are harder for a southpaw to adapt to, like a bolt action. But even that can be adapted to like the sniper in the bell tower in "Saving Private Ryan". Most other actions aren't that hard. If it wasn't going to cost a lot extra for a rifle you like it would be worthwhile, but not absolutely necessary.

 

[TheMaineEvent]

I'm a lefty and own ARs. I have no problem shooting them whatsoever. The brass ejects out to the right at an angle that doesn't have them coming at my face. Once in a while I'll get one that hits my arm and bounces back, but 99% of the time it's business as normal.

Even the controls on a right-handed AR are very manageable, but there are plenty that have ambidextrous controls are can be added if necessary. Personally, I've adapted to being able to use the safety and magazine release on mine.

The AR is a very shooter friendly rifle, even for us lefties.

 

[BigSeanStudd]

Thanks guys! I had read something somewhere at sometime that other left handed shooters said the same thing that it wasn't a big deal to shoot right handed AR's. The whole discussion came about last night when I was telling my frined about the awesome "blemish" deals to be had on Palmetto State Armory. That's when he clued me in on being a lefty... But I had also read where left handed AR's require some armorers tools that can be pretty hard to find. Not quite sure on any of that. And in the end, it doesn't matter a whole lot because my friend is just getting into shooting and has no intention of building any AR's...

 

[SgtBooker44]

I'm a lefty and it's not a problem.

 

[Tunnelvision]

I'm a lefty and would only buy a left hand AR if I had everything else I ever wanted and that was all that was left... Bolt action is another story.

 

[DRPLMMM]

Lefty here.

I grew up shooting all types of long guns for right handed people. Thought i might buy an AR for lefties, but then decided it might be my sons gun someday, and he's right handed. So i'm used to it. Bought a Daniel Defense M4 V7. Good gun.

 

[jetroop2k1]

Im right handed but left eye dominant. I shoot ARs left handed without issue. Never shot one without a brass deflector though.

 

[tcpip95]

I'm a lefty, and own a LH Stag 2TL. I never had a problem shooting a RH AR (with a brass deflector). Having said that, I wanted a LH one, and am extremely happy with it.

 

[HB of CJ]

Us South Paws May Go With Stag Arms

A left handed upper receiver for the AR15 family. If you are going to get your first AR and if you are a South Paw like us, then consider the Stag Arms upper. The bolt and carrier are left handed also. The rest of the stuff does not care.

Us lefties have an advantage shooting the AR15 and M16. Think it through. We can do very fast mag changes/dumps while keeping our eyes and the muzzle on the target. Easy to practice and with time, you become very fast at this.

But.....if your total round count is low, then consider just a ordinary righty AR15. Only over thousands of rounds will the hot gas in the eyes become a real sight problem. Mine has some measurable erosion, but only after 20,000 rds. plus.

HB of CJ (old coot) A left handed person in a right handed world and it is a bummer.

 

[BigSeanStudd]

HB- Ya, I can imagine being a lefty is a pain sometimes. But, this is a friend of mine and he doesn't really shoot a whole lot. I've been talking him into his first gun and now he's ready to go for it. But, he's a lefty. So, I told him that I'd find out a little info (from you guys!) and pass it along. I wonder if you shot a piston AR (instead of DI) maybe that would put less gas in your face... LWRC makes a great one!!!

Anyway, thanks everyone for your comments!!!

 

[sky walker]

I'm a right paw with a left dom eye.
I've practiced enough to shot with both hands both for hard shots I usually shot left and I have ar 15 and 10 and don't have any issues


Learning to shot with the nondom eye was a stone cold bitch because I waited till I was older to do it.

 

[IrishCannon]

Learn and adapt. Bullpups are the only real problem.

 

[BigSeanStudd]

So is a brass deflector really necessary? Not looked into one before...

 

[HB of CJ]

Brass Deflectors Are A Great Idea

I think the military went to the built in brass deflectors on the A2 series of M16 rifles because of the left handed thing. After a couple of thousands of rounds, the ejector spring takes a definite set and the brass starts coming further and further aft...eventually striking a South Paw in the forehead. Yikes.

We used to set up ejectors to stop this for lefties, but it was a stop gap remedy. Yep again...for low round count totals with a built in brass deflector, the need for a dedicated LH upper becomes less. It then becomes a personal choice. Hope this helps. HB of CJ (old coot) (hundreds of AR15 builds)

Hopefully we all wear eye protection when shooting the AR15, but sometimes that is not possible. Same thing using hearing protectors. A piston type AR15 would probably eliminate practically all of the remaining LH concerns, but I have never shot an AR15 with one. Something to consider.

 

[ncwebnut]

I'm a lefty as well and have always shot every weapon I've owned left handed with no problems, even bolt guns I just reach over with my left hand and work the bolt with practice it become easy or at least to me it is. some times when firing some 22s I end up with a shirt pocket with brass in it

 

[Bushmaster1911]

Another lefty here that doesn't buy lefty guns of any kind. I use what others use without issue. With my ARs no issue. With most auto-loader handguns you learn to adapt as stated above. I use my trigger finger for the mag release, even on guns that are ambi or can be changed, I don't change them. The only mod I ever make is SA autos like my 1911s, I add ambi safety. All other controls can be easily worked around (not bull pups as also stated, unless the ejection port can be reversed). I like the ability to have universal access on the market when I buy and I don't have a limited market when I sell that way.

 

[bilmac]

even bolt guns I just reach over with my left hand and work the bolt with practice it become easy or at least to me it is. some times when firing some 22s I end up with a shirt pocket with brass in it

The gun talk programs on TV where there is the Father-Son pair in the same program. I believe theit last name is Greshom. The son is a southpaw. He operates the bolt with his right hand while he maintains his grip with his left. I've never saw anyone else do it that way. The shooter would have to be pretty strong, but this young guy does pretty good that way.

I'm right handed but I'm interested in this thread because I am training a southpaw son in law, and his son who is right handed but is left eye dominant, and another grandson who is southpaw.