Methos
Member
Do they make pistols specifically designed for a left handed individual? I know they do for rifles, but I typically have to special order it.
Left Handed Pistols
- Thread starter Methos
- Start date
- Status
Kaeto
Member
Only one I am aware of is the Charter Arms Undercover Southpaw. A .38 special revolver for left-handers.
ThrottleJockey
member
Yup, that's why in movies like Face Off you see matched right and left 1911s. Most people don't realize why these are so "cool", but it is because the ejection ports are on opposite sides. I understand they are VERY expensive, and most often custom.
Gunfighter123
Member
In the late 1980s Randle co. made a true left-hand .45acp --- they turn up at online auctions but sell for over $1500 , last I saw.
Sorry -- that was Randall co.
Sorry -- that was Randall co.
earlthegoat2
Member
Sig makes them because the Michigan State Police orders them to fit the particular officer. I have seen a few of them.
8830
Member
CZ85 is totally ambidextrous.
ThrottleJockey
member
"CZ85 is totally ambidextrous."
I personally don't consider ambidextrous left handed. I feel that for a gun to be left handed, it must be as uncomfortable for a righty to shoot as a right handed gun is for a lefty.
I personally don't consider ambidextrous left handed. I feel that for a gun to be left handed, it must be as uncomfortable for a righty to shoot as a right handed gun is for a lefty.
bigfatdave
Member
Walther P38/P1 ejects to the right.
Controls are on the left (normal right handed side) but are large and easy to operate.
Advantage - You can find a nice P1 for about $300
Disadvantage - lousy for conceal, can be picky on ammo, not 100% lefty
Controls are on the left (normal right handed side) but are large and easy to operate.
Advantage - You can find a nice P1 for about $300
Disadvantage - lousy for conceal, can be picky on ammo, not 100% lefty
The Lone Haranguer
Member
I only know of ambidextrous control handguns. Very few - I only know of some Walther models - also have left-handed case ejection, which would also be necessary to make a pistol truly left-handed and not throw cases across your line of sight.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
Some pistols ostensibly designed for right-handers can also function quite well for lefties. For instance, the 1911's slide stop and magazine release can be operated with the trigger finger, and you need only add - or purchase a gun with - an ambidextrous thumb safety. A SIG P22X pistol's decocking lever and mag release can also be operated with the trigger finger; only the slide stop is difficult, but this can be gotten around. The controls of the H&K P7 series are totally ambidextrous. None of these have left-handed case ejection.
Methos
Member
Thanks everyone. Will look into your suggestions. I was hoping for more options, but with pistols, didn't think there would be many. Basically I'm looking for something that will be comfortable to operate if I ever have a need for it in a hurry.
jimk0512
Member
I shoot an FNP-9 left handed. The magazine release is reversible (step by step instructions with pictures on the FN Forum) The FNP-45 has the magazine release on both sides, if you are interested in that caliber. There is no safety (DA/SA operation), and the decocker is ambi for all the FNP models.
Pistols that have less controls are easier for left handed operation. DA/SA operation (like the FNP) or Glock safe action, means no safety to fumble with (if the safety is set up for right handed shooters). Most pistols can chamber a round by pulling back on the slide and releasing it (instead of fumbling with a slide release set up for a right handed shooter). Pistols that are hard for me to use left handed have a safety and a magazine release set up for a right handed shooter. Pistols that are easy for me to use left handed have ambi (or no) safety, and ambi (or reversible) magazine release.
Try looking at FNP, Smith & Wesson M&P, Ruger SR9. I know a left handed shooter who swears by his Glock, but the magazine release on his Glock is hard for me to work.
Pistols that have less controls are easier for left handed operation. DA/SA operation (like the FNP) or Glock safe action, means no safety to fumble with (if the safety is set up for right handed shooters). Most pistols can chamber a round by pulling back on the slide and releasing it (instead of fumbling with a slide release set up for a right handed shooter). Pistols that are hard for me to use left handed have a safety and a magazine release set up for a right handed shooter. Pistols that are easy for me to use left handed have ambi (or no) safety, and ambi (or reversible) magazine release.
Try looking at FNP, Smith & Wesson M&P, Ruger SR9. I know a left handed shooter who swears by his Glock, but the magazine release on his Glock is hard for me to work.
Jim Watson
Member
The only true mirror image lefthanded pistols I know of are the Randall 1911 and some made on the old Randall tooling by Oly. I knew a southpaw who carried a Randall and kept up a constant scrounging program for magazines and spare parts.
Caspian made up 21 sets of lefthanded parts a few years ago.
Texas Longhorn built a whole line of mirror image single action revolvers.
In the real world, you can safely and effectively handle standard models. You should get an ambidextrous thumb safety on any gun so equipped, like a 1911, CZ, or Browning. The rest of the controls can be managed. You can push the magazine catch with your forefinger where I use my thumb. You can either trip the slide stop with your forefinger or just slingshot the slide down. Glocks work fine that way.
Ejection patterns are seldom a real problem.
Caspian made up 21 sets of lefthanded parts a few years ago.
Texas Longhorn built a whole line of mirror image single action revolvers.
In the real world, you can safely and effectively handle standard models. You should get an ambidextrous thumb safety on any gun so equipped, like a 1911, CZ, or Browning. The rest of the controls can be managed. You can push the magazine catch with your forefinger where I use my thumb. You can either trip the slide stop with your forefinger or just slingshot the slide down. Glocks work fine that way.
Ejection patterns are seldom a real problem.
fineredmist
Member
Colt SAA and all the clones are left handed guns. Think about the location of the loading gate and the ejection rod and you will see it clearly.
searcher451
Member
The Walther P88 and P88C are fully ambidexterous handguns, with no distinct advantage for the right-handed shooter.
denfoote
Member
Check out the Walther P5.
WNC Seabee
Member
I"m a lefty and have never considered looking into a "left side ejection". I just got used to slide and mag release operation with my trigger or middle finger. I do like the ambi safety on my 1911 and purposefully chose a S&W 4th gen auto for the ambi safety/decocker.
MedWheeler
Member
I'm a lefty, and a left-handed handgun, particularly a revolver, would really mess with me. I'm just too used to "standard" models...
Hostile Amish
member
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2008
- Messages
- 522
Walther P5
axeman_g
Member
Randall is the only LH gun I have seen. Being a lefty I have gone through all the choices listed. Walthe P99 is a nice choice for lefties, I have owned them, I just cant shoot them. I have a CZ 85, I own a Glock because it is a 15 shot revolver in my opinion, not controls to worry about. I am interested in acquiring a FNP45 when I can due to their total ambi control design. I have always found Beretta 92s a good design for lefties, and add a ambi safety selector to a 1911 it is almost about perfect for lefties, mag release is big and easy to use with trigger finger, as is slide stop lever.
bigfatdave
Member
denfoote said:
Hostile Amish said:
I forgot those had the same ejection setup as the P-38/P-1
How about a Browning Hi-Power? Ambidextrous safety and magazine release are easy to find on google. And, though I can't find one right away, there are ambi slide release kits - they replace the original release lever/pin with a two-part one.
It'll still throw empties to the right though..
(edit) okay I can't find an ambi slide release anywhere. I know I've seen them - but maybe the maker went out of business.
It'll still throw empties to the right though..
(edit) okay I can't find an ambi slide release anywhere. I know I've seen them - but maybe the maker went out of business.
In addition to the Randall 1911s and the Charter Arms revolver mentioned above, there was also the Falcon Portsider which was a successor company to Randall. Olympic Arms also made an LH 1911 in the 80s; which I believe was made on purchased Randall equipment. Dlask arms makes a LH 1911, which is kind of a custom issue. Also seeems to me Caspian made and sold components for LH 1911s. I believe all the LH 1911s, except Dlask, trace their roots back to Randall. It would be nice to see someone pick up on this.
- Status
