The Lefthanded Shooter

[CurtEgerer]

It is frustrating to say the least to have nearly no options when it comes to a semi-auto handgun. I'm not talking about "left hand-friendly" guns that have an ambidextrous safety or clip release. I'm talking about shell casing ejection on the left side. I really don't enjoy being hit in the face with hot casings and/or have casings fly across my sight path. Why won't any manufacturer produce a lefthand gun? Seems like a huge market opportunity to me. Lefthand long guns are very popular

About the only thing I've come up with is the Walther P5/P5 Compact from the 80s/90s. Fantastic gun but the prices have skyrocketed, particularly on the Compact (the size I prefer). They've almost become collector guns (seems like $1000 on the P5 and $2000 on the Compact these days). Although I think part of the high price is lefties like me with no other options. And this gun wasn't even designed for lefties. I think the reason for the left side ejection was to make it easier for a righthander to clear a jam or something?

Short of $3000 custom 1911s, there is nothing on the new market. Anyone know of any other out-of-production semi-auto out there on the used market with left side ejection? The ancient P38 doesn't count - that really is a collector-only piece IMO. Mine would be for concealed carry.

[KFC911]

I don't shoot a lot compared to some, but I've had my Colt Combat Commander for four decades, and picked up a Ruger LC9S several years ago. Never been hit with an ejecting case, nor do I even see them .... I shoot with both eyes closed . I just adapt to using right hand tools.... 'tis what it is. Mebbe try a different brand/model? Good luck!

I would love to have lefty semis and levers (for loading mostly)....just ain't gonna happen for me.

[Cajundaddy]

As a lefty I have been tagged with hot shell casings from some semi-auto rifles but never a hand spoon. I always shoot two-handed so the pistol is centered and the casings fly away from me. Browning semi-auto have a few models of rifle and shotgun that eject casings out the bottom and I like those.

[vash]

i understand the frustration.

can you explain something? the firearm is in the same place relative to your face, whether you are left handed or right handed no? shouldn't the spent shell casing still pass by your face on the right side independent on whatever hand you are shooting with?

sorry, as a righty, i don't understand and mean no disrespect (intentional or implied) whatsoever to the left hand population. this forum has been on a hair-trigger lately, it needed to be said.

maybe i'll try a few left handed shots to see it for myself.

[CurtEgerer]

As all lefties know, you learn to adapt to the ass-backwards tools righthanders use at an early age And I have adapted to shooting backwards righthand guns - but it's not ideal. They're designed to eject on the right side for a reason - so the righthanded SOBs don't get hit with casings and have casings fly through their sight window. Why can't the same courtesy be extended to lefties? At the range where you have complete control - extended arms, 2-hand centered grip, safety glasses, etc. - it's not a huge issue. But what if you have to actually use the gun for what it was intended without those controls? i.e., one-handed shot, hands close to chest like might happen inside a vehicle or other tight space, etc.?

[vash]

side ways gansta grip. have those casing eject straight down.

[CurtEgerer]

The best solution is always so obvious. Thanks!

[Bill Douglas]

My 1911 ejects them fairly much straight out the side and back a little. I shoot it a bit left handed as part of our service pistol competition and don't find flying cases a problem. Come to think of it, I used to shoot my CZ85 in the same competition and it wasn't a problem either.

You could try talking to a gunsmith about altering the ejector or the ejector port to make them head downwards more?

[sc_rufctr]

One thing that stands out about a FN-FAL... The cartridge case ejects forward.

Why couldn't they do that with a hand gun?

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

As all lefties know, you learn to adapt to the ass-backwards tools righthanders use at an early age ...

Horses ....they've got our backs!

Why must you always mount & dismount on the left? Always wanted to ask Mr Ed ...

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

One thing that stands out about a FN-FAL... The cartridge case ejects forward.

Why couldn't they do that with a hand gun?

[Rikao4]

Originally Posted by KC911

Horses ....they've got our backs!

Why must you always mount & dismount on the left? Always wanted to ask Mr Ed ...

Soldiers would mount up on their horses left sides so that their swords..
anchored over their left legs.....
wouldn't harm their horses' backs. ..

Rika

[KFC911]

^^^^ Interesting.... thanks!

Which brings up my next question... does a lefty wear his sword on the left leg ?

[sc_rufctr]

In the military these is the "right" place to hang your weapon or equipment.

The positioning of belts and straps also the same so a lefty would still wear their word on their left side.
It's about uniformity.

[cabmandone]

I don't believe I've ever shot a left handed gun. The closest thing is my Ithaca 12 gauge that ejects out the bottom but the safety is wrong for me. My .250 is right hand eject but it's bolt action as is my .22 mag. My Mossberg slug gun is also right hand eject.

[jyl]

Some older pistols eject straight up - Luger for instance. From personal experience you may have a case coming down on your head, but with a cap that doesn’t matter.

My other semi autos all select to the right but, as said above, I don’t see why it matters. The gun is a couple feet in front of your face, the cases fly at 90 degrees to the line from your eye to the target.

[sc_rufctr]

This is something that's puzzled me for some years and I've never found a satisfactory answer.

An Australian F1 sub-machine gun. Note the position of the sites. Why would they mount them on the right side of the magazine port? You'd think they'd mount them on the left considering most soldiers are right handed. (They also did this on the older Australian Owen sub-machine gun)

[sammyg2]

[jyl]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

This is something that's puzzled me for some years and I've never found a satisfactory answer.

An Australian F1 sub-machine gun. Note the position of the sites. Why would they mount them on the right side of the magazine port? You'd think they'd mount them on the left considering most soldiers are right handed. (They also did this on the older Australian Owen sub-machine gun)

I’ve never handled one, but maybe the idea is that if you do a cheek weld on the receiver then your right (dominant) eye is to the right of the centerline? Or maybe it’s just an Australian thing, can’t figure out what side of the road to drive on either.

[flipper35]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

One thing that stands out about a FN-FAL... The cartridge case ejects forward.

Why couldn't they do that with a hand gun?

P90 is straight down.