Lefty Semi-Auto ("Assault") Rifle?

H

Higgins

New member
I'm looking to buy a Semi-Auto rifle. I know there are many options and would like to call on the expertise of people on this board for help. While I have read much about the various rifles available, I have little direct experience with rifles (my experience being more with pistols). With that in mind, the below rifles seem to be the options:

AR clone
Mini-14/Mini-30
M1 Garand
M1A
G3/CETME clone
AK
SKS
FN-FAL

One important concern for me is that I am a lefty and shoot lefty. Are these rifles safe/unsafe to shoot left-handed? I know the .223 cartidge, for example, is hot and can be ejected with lots of force - not something I want happening right into my face.

Right now, I am leaning towards a Mini-14. I've read all the posts on this board about Mini-14's and although there are concerns over the Mini-14's accuracy, they seem to have sufficient combat accuracy and also are reliable and fairly cheap. I also like their simplicity over the AR's. Simplicity of operation/design also suggests an SKS, but my concern is whether the SKS is a dependable, reliable and tough design? SKS is cheap, but is it cheap for a reason other than supply.

I know that in the best of all worlds, the most expensive would likely be the best, but in my world cost is a concern. So the best balance of cost-performance is what I am looking for.

Any helpful thoughts would be appreciated.
 
Sir,

I am left handed. Have been shooting for 9 years, with a concentration in rifles. From your list, I have used the AK, SKS, FAL, Mini, M14 and Garand.

None spit brass into the face, except a particularly cantankerous Garand that spat the clip into the eyes of operator.

The FAL feels particularly nice to me - the charging handle is on the correct (left) side of the receiver.

The garand is difficult to charge properly without pucker factor - and it can potentially break your thumb.

No such troubles with M14 - very nice. Expensive, but nice.

SKS - charging handle and safety are on the right side. Always have to juggle the damn thing when I reload.

concern is whether the SKS is a dependable, reliable and tough design?
Click to expand...

Yes, it is dependable, reliable and tough. I would venture to say that all the rifles named are, and that this one is particularly so.

For me, the best of the lot would be the FAL - this is a completely subjective judgement. I would choose it because
1. I built it
2. Parts are available (See #1)
3. It fits me very well. I'm 6'1", and the AKM rifles are too short.
4. Simple to strip and clean.
 
You can get an AR clone with a brass deflector that will keep the brass from hitting your face.

My HK91 is fine to fire left handed - I haven't had any problems with it (I'm righty, but my roommate is lefty and he shoots it a lot. He doesn't have any problems with his FN-FAL either - and neither one has a brass deflector).

My SKS is wonderful in terms of reliability. Thousands of rounds of Wolf ammunition and not a single problem. I use the fixed 10 rd magazine; I hear that detachable mags may be less reliable.
 
Watch your forehand grip on the AK actions. Sometimes, depending on how I hold the rifle, I get my thumb-knuckle wacked hard by the bolt handle.

Nevertheless, it's still one of my favorite weapons in my arsenal.
 
As previously noted, the FAL has the charging handle on the proper side for lefties. I have experienced no problem with the ejectorate when shooting FAL left handed. Plus it uses a real battle rifle cartridge. Course that puts it out of the realm of "assult rifle". Oh well.

Sam
 
All the above are fine for lefty's. I shoot my AR alot and it is fine. The one problem I have is the safety selector switch is right under my left forefinger when in the "off" position.
 
Ditto. Never had a problem with any of the above named firearms. Perhaps the two most ambidextrious firearms thus far are the 9mm Calico & the FN P90. Both are bottom ejecting and top fed. The FN P90 has the additional advantage of being cocked on either side. Oh, the HK 36 rifle has a cocking handle that swivels for either left or right handed operation.

Setting aside those firearms, DPMS makes a southpaw AR. Left hand ejection with left hand bolt. You could add a Norgon ambi mag release and an ambi safety to top it off. I made one and it was sweet (but now in Nevada :( ).
 
I'm a little confused about the FAL for lefties bidness. Not to be a smart *ss, but if you have the weapon on your left shoulder, you have to work the action with the right hand. How is a charging handle located on the front left side of the receiver good for lefties? That was the reason that I took a pass on both, the FAL and the HK USC. If you like the AR family the LH DPMS Panther is the way to go IMHO.
 
As ATTICUS alludes to, if all of this talk about right handed guns being OK for lefties doesn't persuade you, there is always the left handed DPMS AR.

rfa2-sp_aa.jpg
 
but if you have the weapon on your left shoulder, you have to work the action with the right hand
Click to expand...

Not to be a smart@$$, but no, you don't.
The right hand supports the rifle at the forearm. Left hand comes off grip, moves 3", grabs charging handle, pulls back, releases it.

I'm not sure about others, but I can comfortably reach the mag release and BHO release with my left hand
 
M1A works well for me. Change the mag with the right hand, put it back into shooting position. Reach over with left hand to tug on the op-rod handle with the first two fingers. Resume firing grip as gun goes into battery. The rifle never leaves your shoulder, and with practice only dips a couple of inches. I'm sure there are other more efficient ways to do it, but this technique also translates well to right-handed bolt actions with straight handles. Might be tricky with a scope mounted, though.
 
Perhaps I'm confusing rifles (wouldn't be the first time) but isn't the charging handle on an FAL located at the front of the handguard...about 12" or so in front of the trigger?
 
Nope. I think the HK rifles are set up in that manner, though. The FAL charging handle is slightly behind the rear end of the handguard.
 
At benchrest or bipod, I actually prefer a right-handed gun.

Truthfully, being a lefty in a right-handed assault-rifle world isn't really that bad. On higgin's list, I own 4 out of eight of the guns, and have handled three of the others. I found that I prefer assault rifles over typical hunting rifles for the spent-casing ejection-direction. One of the few types of guns that throws shells away from me.

I normally do not make a habit of changing mags or charging the weapon with it at my shoulder, so letting the gun down isn't an issue.

Atticus - please don't deny yourself an FN for being a lefty, especially now when they're so cheap. I've got one - I love it.
 
The M1A killed my gun budget for awhile. I definately won't rule out an FAL though. I can shoot from either side really, but prefer the left.
 
The AR, AK and SKS are pretty friendly for lefties. Just make sure you get a AR with the shell deflector.

The HK (91&94), shoot out the shells correctly, but the pistol grips and sling arrangements assume you are right handed. Pretty sloppy for a high priced, high-quality gun IMO.
 
Holloway Arms brief appearance in the market was way back in the late '70s. Their rifles were touted as the American FN and it was adopted by some Texas state militia unit. Holloway didn't last and their left handed rifles are few & far between.
 
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