Question for Lefties
- Thread starter mike killian
- Start date
To re-state my position...
The only "left handed" option I absolutely must have is a safety/decocker on the right side of the pistol. Even when the gun has the option of ambi mag release, I still use my middle finger. It's the only thing I can think of that's actually FASTER than the way it was intended. I use my index finger for releasing the slide.
Now having said that, there are certain pistols (like HK) who's controls on the left side (right handed) are more adaptable to using the middle and trigger fingers. The farther forward the mag release, the better HK, Walther P99, etc... all have that, but I have found that most any semi-auto is perfectly fine, EXCEPT the Glock. It's the least usable (to me) straight out of the box with the middle finger. Yes, you can file the corners, and install a mag release extension, but out of the box, it doesn't do well for me. The same goes for the slide release as well. The farther forward it extends, the easier it is get hit with the trigger finger. Glock could be made MUCH easier to use, if someone would make an extended slide release that went THE OTHER WAY!!! All the ones I've seen extend further BACK, with a neat little bump at the REAR. I need it to extend FORWARD with a bump on the FRONT.
But anyway, I do agree that Lefties just have to practice using right handed controls for the most part. But saying "it only takes an extra second" is not acceptable to me. It must be just as fast, or it's a hazard!
One more thing... I disagree that revolvers are "leftie friendly". I have one, and it didn't take long to realize that "speed reloading" was much more difficult since the cylinder swings away from my body, and I either have to change hands, or cross my right over my left to use a speedloader. Not a pretty sight.
The only "left handed" option I absolutely must have is a safety/decocker on the right side of the pistol. Even when the gun has the option of ambi mag release, I still use my middle finger. It's the only thing I can think of that's actually FASTER than the way it was intended. I use my index finger for releasing the slide.
Now having said that, there are certain pistols (like HK) who's controls on the left side (right handed) are more adaptable to using the middle and trigger fingers. The farther forward the mag release, the better HK, Walther P99, etc... all have that, but I have found that most any semi-auto is perfectly fine, EXCEPT the Glock. It's the least usable (to me) straight out of the box with the middle finger. Yes, you can file the corners, and install a mag release extension, but out of the box, it doesn't do well for me. The same goes for the slide release as well. The farther forward it extends, the easier it is get hit with the trigger finger. Glock could be made MUCH easier to use, if someone would make an extended slide release that went THE OTHER WAY!!! All the ones I've seen extend further BACK, with a neat little bump at the REAR. I need it to extend FORWARD with a bump on the FRONT.
But anyway, I do agree that Lefties just have to practice using right handed controls for the most part. But saying "it only takes an extra second" is not acceptable to me. It must be just as fast, or it's a hazard!
One more thing... I disagree that revolvers are "leftie friendly". I have one, and it didn't take long to realize that "speed reloading" was much more difficult since the cylinder swings away from my body, and I either have to change hands, or cross my right over my left to use a speedloader. Not a pretty sight.
Fuel to the fire: I own several ambi guns, but often carry those that aren't in my 1911 stockpile righthanded. It really didn't take me too much learning as far as stance,grip and trigger control, I just use my left eye still. Rifles I prefer to shoot lefty, otherwise I have to close my left eye to even see the sights. In general 1911's are very lefty friendly, although I don't think much of the style in its compact variants that you seem to be looking for.
Im right handed and left eye dominent. I've learned to shoot guns and bows left handed when I was little. I shoot bows and rifles/shotguns left handed only but I can shoot handguns either handed. I have learned to shoot both eyes open so its not much of a change of sight pattern to hold the handgun in my right hand and use my left eye to shoot. If im in the Isosceles stance then either hand will work but in the Weaver or Chapman stance then its left hand/left eye aim. I shoot alot better groups out of the Weaver or Chapman stance. That goes without saying since in the Isosceles stance I have to adjust my sight to use my left eye if the weapon is in my right hand. So I just concentrate on left hand shooting but am capable to shoot right handed if need be. ITs all about the practice fellas.
It would be nice though to have a selection of weapons that have the slide release on the right side though. You guys are bumming me out about Glock not being left hand friendly. Im seriously thinking of a Glock 30. Gonna go to the range Friday and shoot one to see if I like it.
It would be nice though to have a selection of weapons that have the slide release on the right side though. You guys are bumming me out about Glock not being left hand friendly. Im seriously thinking of a Glock 30. Gonna go to the range Friday and shoot one to see if I like it.
LennyJoe - Don't be bummed... you'll love it. Glocks aren't lefty UNfriendly, I (and many others) just didn't agree that they were especially friendly enough to be called so, and that there were others more deserving of such a title.
You can reach the mag release, you'll just wanna file off that sharp corner on the front. You'll be able to release the slide, but it'll aggrivate you a little to start with, and you'll probably want an extended one.
The biggest bonus is that there's no safety to worry about.
You can reach the mag release, you'll just wanna file off that sharp corner on the front. You'll be able to release the slide, but it'll aggrivate you a little to start with, and you'll probably want an extended one.
The biggest bonus is that there's no safety to worry about.
SAWBONES, have you ever though of filing off the thumb ledge on the left side? THat should give you a smooth surface without compromising the safety function.
A general note on Glocks. There is NO slide release on Glocks!!! It is a slide STOP!! Yeah, some people try to make it easier to depress to drop the slide, but that is not what it is there for. There are several things to improve on the Glock, but that is not one of them. Just hand rack the slide to chamber a round and drive on. I do this exclusively (I usually shoot 1911s) just so I can handle a Sig or Glock under pressure if needed (plus some other lesser know pistols that might be improperly designed for the master race). LAter.
A general note on Glocks. There is NO slide release on Glocks!!! It is a slide STOP!! Yeah, some people try to make it easier to depress to drop the slide, but that is not what it is there for. There are several things to improve on the Glock, but that is not one of them. Just hand rack the slide to chamber a round and drive on. I do this exclusively (I usually shoot 1911s) just so I can handle a Sig or Glock under pressure if needed (plus some other lesser know pistols that might be improperly designed for the master race). LAter.
Im gonna give the G30 a try anyway. Just have to remember to reload a fresh mag after shot #9 so I wont have to worry about fumbling with the slide "Stop" if I get into a heated firefight. (Hopefully not) I practice with my PT 100AFS all the time to reload a new mag after the 10th shot (11 shot mags) that way I wont have to disengage the slide stop.
mike killian
New member
LEFTIES
BJordan71
IS THE 945 A COMPACT??
BJordan71
IS THE 945 A COMPACT??
mike killian
New member
small hands
Try the Glock model 36. I find it fits my hand just right.
Try the Glock model 36. I find it fits my hand just right.
Lefties
FWIW, I started shooting pistols in the Army. After looking at options, I chose to shoot right handed. With a two-handed stance, it's not much different with either hand, this got me away from worrying about lefty or even ambidextrous controls, and most pistols simply don't have a lefty option. I am slightly more accurate righty than lefty, as using your "weak" hand makes you concentrate on the fundamentals. I have a CZ85 Combat with ambidextrous controls, but that's the way it comes. An old Beretta 84 I had came with ambidextrous safeties and a reversible magazine release, a nice feature if yiu do shoot lefty.
FWIW, I started shooting pistols in the Army. After looking at options, I chose to shoot right handed. With a two-handed stance, it's not much different with either hand, this got me away from worrying about lefty or even ambidextrous controls, and most pistols simply don't have a lefty option. I am slightly more accurate righty than lefty, as using your "weak" hand makes you concentrate on the fundamentals. I have a CZ85 Combat with ambidextrous controls, but that's the way it comes. An old Beretta 84 I had came with ambidextrous safeties and a reversible magazine release, a nice feature if yiu do shoot lefty.
I'm a lefty, too, and I've simply never been able to operate either the slide release, the mag release or the safety with my index finger, as some of you do. Not with small guns, not with large guns. Not with any handgun I've ever shot. Basically I have to turn the gun sideways in my hand and work my thumb around to that side.
I've done that for so many years now that if I actually had a gun with a slide release, mag release and safety on the right side I don't know if I'd be able to operate them!
Whenever I'm next at a gun show or gun shop, I'm going to take a look at some of the guns mentioned here as being lefty-friendly. From what I gather from the previous posts, the most lefty-friendly handguns would be the following:
P7M13, HK P7, Walther P88, beretta 92, CZ-85B, Taurus PT100AFS, HK USP
Anyone have any to add to this list?
I've done that for so many years now that if I actually had a gun with a slide release, mag release and safety on the right side I don't know if I'd be able to operate them!
Whenever I'm next at a gun show or gun shop, I'm going to take a look at some of the guns mentioned here as being lefty-friendly. From what I gather from the previous posts, the most lefty-friendly handguns would be the following:
P7M13, HK P7, Walther P88, beretta 92, CZ-85B, Taurus PT100AFS, HK USP
Anyone have any to add to this list?
hoosierdaddy
New member
I turned the mag release around on my Beretta 96 and shoot it ambidextrously. It has an ambi safety/decocker factory and the mag release is easily changed to lefty. I'm not sure if the 92/96 models meet your "compact" requirement. I don't miond the size. I carry both the 96 and my 1911 full size in a Blade-Tech IWB.
PT-945
To Mike Killian and lefties with small hands:
Taurus lists the PT945 as a large frame auto but it's about the same size as a 1911 Commander or a SIG220; 8 round single stack mag. I've just about quit shooting my PT-99 in IDPA as I shoot the 945 better. If your small hands can grip a 1911 OK then you'll probably be able to grip the 945 OK. Mine has been great right out of the box. The only problem I've ever had with it was caused by reloads using A-MERC brass. They wouldn't extract. I won't do that again.
Good shooting,
Stay safe.
To Mike Killian and lefties with small hands:
Taurus lists the PT945 as a large frame auto but it's about the same size as a 1911 Commander or a SIG220; 8 round single stack mag. I've just about quit shooting my PT-99 in IDPA as I shoot the 945 better. If your small hands can grip a 1911 OK then you'll probably be able to grip the 945 OK. Mine has been great right out of the box. The only problem I've ever had with it was caused by reloads using A-MERC brass. They wouldn't extract. I won't do that again.
Good shooting,
Stay safe.