Lefty friendly long guns...

[10-Ring]

I've seen a similar question asked in the semi auto handgun board all the time, but now -- as I get deeper into long guns -- I find myself wondering about rifles.
Yes yes, I know there are lefty specific rifles out there, but (and this might be a big ol' badonkadonk but) if I ever decide to sell something, I'd hate to limit potential buyers by being a specifically lefty firearm.
Anyway, what rifles are considered lefty friendly? AR's? AK's? M1As? 10-22's? something else??
TIA

 

[BADUNAME13]

M1A
Ak
Lever guns... Look at the Savage 99...

 

[PercyShelley]

Most of my non-bolt actions swing both ways. The Browning BLR and AR-15 in particular seem to do fine by the southpaws.

I would need to see the controls on an FS2000 before I branded it entirely lefty friendly, but they're supposed to be OK as well.

 

[Rexster]

M1 Garand, Mini-14, Winchester '92 and '94, and Browning BLR, from personal experience. Some things about the AR15 work slightly better for lefties than righties, such as the bolt handle and mag release, IMHO. This does NOT mean I like the AR15! The FN FAL works fairly well as a lefty rifle, it would seem, based on what I have heard, and from my handling of them at a dealer. Then, perhaps my favorite rifle, period, the Ruger No. 1.

 

[dmftoy1]

I've got absolutely no problems with an AR or any lever gun. (all my lever's are Marlin currently though . .a top eject winchester might be a problem). My left handed savage boltie works really nice as well.

FWIW.

Regards,
Dave

 

[crazed_ss]

M1A

??? .. wouldnt a M1A be throwing shells across your face if you fired it left-handed.

 

[benEzra]

Stag Arms makes a left-handed AR-15 (ejects on the left side, etc.).

http://www.stagarms.com/

AK lookalikes are also fairly lefty friendly, from what I've read here on THR (some say they're set up better for lefties than for righties, in regard to the charging handle and safety placement).

 

[Nomad101bc]

Berretta CX4 storm can change the extractor in a few easy steps. So it is totaly ambidextrous and best of all easily disassembled and reconfigured for lefties. You can change the safety and extractor so you dont get hit with shell casings. Comes in .38 cal, .40 cal, and .45 cal and is made of light wieght polymer. The firearms very accurate and highly customizable i havent had any issues with mine.

Theres a picture of it in the link in my signature.

 

[heron]

I wouldn't worry about resale too much; make yourself happy first, and worry about the next potential owner second (or somewhere farther down the list).

Lefty bolts are available (Savage makes quite a few), some bolts are convertible, and there are pumps and levers. I've also fired a Chinese SKS with no problems.

 

[Sav .250]

I`m a lefty from way back. Never have thought I`d like to have a left side bolt rifle. Have been shooting right hand all my life and "I" never thought I had a problem. Guess I don`t know any better.
I do own several Savage 99`s. Not for the reason that levers seemed to have been made for leftys but because they are one of a kind. an American icon in the rifle world.
Guys that own them know what I mean.

 

[BADUNAME13]

??? .. wouldnt a M1A be throwing shells across your face if you fired it left-handed.

No

 

[Glen]

Left Handed Not Left Behind

I am left handed but used an 8 mm Mauser for years without any trouble. Good rifle. I currently own a 30/30, SKS, M1A, and 10/22 and use them without any trouble either.
However, when I retired a few years ago I decided to give myself a treat after working all those years in the salt mine. I got myself a left handed bolt action rifle from Savage and it was one of the best things I ever did. It is so user friendly! Like why didn't I do this 40 years ago? The half inch groups at 100 yards does not bother me either.

Hey--if you get a rifle that you really like, you will not worry about selling it!

 

[mustanger98]

...a top eject winchester might be a problem). My left handed savage boltie works really nice as well.

I agree that the left-handed Savage crankbolt works well. I have one... Model 11GL in .243Winchester; I talk about it some on here.

As for the top eject Winchester being a problem, ummm... no. I regularly shoot a '94 made in 1971 with a Lyman #2 tang sight. No problem. Brass gets kicked up and back and rolls off the brim of my Stetson.

 

[mustanger98]

??? .. wouldnt a M1A be throwing shells across your face if you fired it left-handed

Not a problem. Spent cases are ejected to 3 o'clock, not 5 o'clock. M1 Garand's even better ejecting to between 1 and 3.

 

[Old Coach]

Try the Marlin levers and the Savage 99. Both great lefty friendly rifles. Easily sold. I am lefthanded and use the Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70 and the Sav. 99 in 308 for deer and hogs.

 

[sacp81170a]

They're all lefty friendly if you practice enough!

 

[pcosmar]

I have always wanted a left hand bolt If I could I would. Other options.
Lightning rifle, http://www.usfirearms.com/cat/lightningrifle.asp
Calico, http://www.williamsandsonarms.com/page3-calico.htm
There may be more, these are on my wish list.

 

[PracticeFreedom]

All of the guns you mentioned are fairly lefty friendly except the AK (safety lever is a PIA) I'm a lefty myself. Of what you mentioned, the M1A is the closest to a truly ambidextrous rifle.

Note for AR-15s, avoid the "slickside" A1 models unless you like brass in your face.

 

[BADUNAME13]

All of the guns you mentioned are fairly lefty friendly except the AK (safety lever is a PIA)

Use your right thumb... and slide your hand forward as you shoulder it... works fine.

 

[Ian]

When I hold a safed AK (being a lefty), I grip the magazine with my right hand and rest my right thumb on the safety lever. That gives a solid grip and allows easy safety deactivation.