Learning to shoot from the otherside

R

Roland Thunder

New member
I have been right handed all my life (I did learn how to bat both left and right handed during my youth). Do to arthritis in my shoulder, I am thinking of trying to learn to shoot left handed because I seem to be able to hold the guns more steady from the left side (I haven't tried shooting from the left side, yet). In order to do this, do I have to replace my guns with a left handed version or just make do with what I have. In other words, are there such a thing as right handed and left guns or can some of the parts (like safety, slide stop, etc.) be switched to the other side.

It's just an idea I have I, am not sure if I will undertake it, especially, if I have to replace the guns I currently own with left handed versions. I own 2 1911's (government model), a Walther PPQ, Sig 320, a Kahr PM9 and a Ruger Security 6 revolver.
 
There's a number of ways to deal with this.
Some models of firearms can have ambi-dexterous safeties and mag releases.
If yours do, that's the easy way.
If not, operate the safety the usual way, with your right hand during the draw, and then transfer the gun to your left hand.
For the mag release, just use the trigger finger of your left hand to do that.
It might feel weird at first, but practice will cure that.
Here's a bunch of youtube videos about left handed shooting:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=transfering+pistol+to+the+left+hand
 
First thing to consider - are you still right eye dominant? That can be a factor in how well you shoot.
Otherwise, I'd only add ambi safeties to the 1911s. Really no need to change the revolver out, of the Kahr; I'm not that familiar with the Walther or the SIG
 
I been L handed my whole life almost 70 yrs now.. Was never issued a L/handed weapon in military or bought one as a civilian. You must learn to adapt . Have fun! Then think about what us left handed people go thru every day in a R/hand world. :p
 
I agree with michael t. I'm rapidly approaching 80 years as a lefty in a righty world. I learned to adapt. As mentioned in another post a minute ago, I switched to shooting right handed, starting about two years ago. Better right handed shooting than I ever was left handed.

All the talk about the various controls is OK, but just adapt yourself to what you have. Don't change your gun controls, IMO it just adds to the learning process.

Safeties: I hate them. IMO, they're a ND waiting to happen. SA guns should not be carried with a round chambered, dependent on a safety. Period. Unless forced to, by range rules, I remove the mag and lock the slide back on all auto loaders. My carry guns are usually DA/SA with decockers. For awhile, I used a Kimber SOLO, the trigger pull was so long I'd worry about a safety and a ND. But, I rethought the issue and carry a HK p7. It's not a DA/SA in the usual sense of the term. The squeeze grip cocks when squeezed and decocks when released. The trigger is always SA.

I know many folks don't agree with my opinion. Just something to think about.
 
I shoot about 40% of the time left handed. None of my guns have safeties, all are dao type Glock/XD but I don't use the slide stop for anything other than locking it open for cleaning. Once you load a new mag just pull the slide back and let go. Works right and pact handed.

Shooting is the hardest part. I finally mastered on the "dot torture" drill but it took a complete re-think of how I hold the pistol.

Simply focus on the sights after a bunch of dry firing and your hand will relax into a natural squeeze. I was squeezing too hard to make up for my perceived non-dominant weakness.
 
With the Walther PPQ if it is the M2 version then the button can be swapped to to the other side. If it is the M1 then no worries. Do you shoot with both eyes open?
 
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