Smyth Busters: Left-Handed Shooters Need Left-Handed Guns

[@capntimber7982]

Ejection direction matters. Hot spent powder hitting your face from the brass or shot shell wizzing by your right ear sucks but isn’t a dealbreaker.

[@Toadink]

Shooting a right-handed AR left-handed long-term having all that gas and stuff ejected into your face with every shot intead of away from you seems like it would probably not be very healthy. I love my stag left-handed upper. Everything is identical to a right-handed AR the only difference is what side it ejects from. So I can still easily use a right-handed rifle without issue when I need to.

[@MisterOcclusion]

I was always afraid of a blown case throwing shrapnel in my face with an RH AR. Wish I could have gotten a LH one

[@sethrad8626]

My favorites rifles include my Desert Tech MDRx (fully ambidextrous) and my LWRC IC PSD (right handed, but piston driven so no gas). I won’t shoot blowback guns any longer. I tried dozens. I am much happier shooting without a face full of gas and unspent powder.

[@-Nobody-1]

I had issues with hot brass resting on my arm when qualifying with my m16a2

[@randybounds2244]

I`m a lefty, never owned a left handed rifle until recently. Feels kinda awkward after shooting right handed firearms all my life.

[@Knight956]

Same

[@onionhead5780]

Absolutely agree.

[@adrianmendoza9897]

Absolutely

[@joebob3719]

I know right? After getting used to leftie tho, going back to rightie feels like a real downgrade

[@nk-dw2hm]

I learned on a left handed savage mark ii, it was great

[@jlastre]

The issue isn’t that you *need* a left handed firearm, but that it’s often easier to have a ambi or left handed gun. Ian often has to work around right actions. As a lefty who learned how to shoot revolvers while in LE there are ways to easily overcome a right action. I had a 1911. It was not as easy to operate. Thankfully it had an ambi safety. I specifically now pick pistols that are ambi (vp9) over other firearms.

[@mr.horseshoe2301]

I'm a lefty and I use right handed rifles just fine. The only modification I use are ambidextrous safety selectors on AR-15s so I can engage it with my left thumb. But for pistols, I need ambidextrous slide catches and safeties.

[@parsecboy4954]

I put an ambi safety on one of my ARs mostly as an experiment - I'm just used to reaching up with the side of my index finger. But yeah, ambi safeties on pistols are a must

[@JCRooster2016]

I just shoot pistols right handed even though I'm a left handed shooter.

[@joeyweinstock2272]

I shoot rifles with my left side but shoot handguns with my right hand

[@wjbh7442]

As a southpaw myself I agree with you guys, … for the most. We live in a right-handed world and have learned to make it work. However, there are exceptions. A bull-pup without a switchable or downward ejection port is a pain, and a lefty bolt action is not as fatiguing to the wrist as a right-handed one. Reaching safeties can be challenging as well. Despite that, all rifles I own are still right-handed ones. Just easier to come by, maintain and sell.

[@osiris654]

Never sell a gun

[@supremecrowbar5736]

Yea I don’t shoot right handed bullpup rifles anymore. It ejects all over my face (that’s what she said) and the last time I actually got hit pretty hard in the lip when firing. It was bleeding bad, still got a scar.

[@jackbarnes5589]

I'm righthanded but blind in my right eye. Had to teach myself to shoot lefthanded. Shell deflectors are great for semi-autos. My AR, I just put lefty controls on. Savage makes some nice left handed bolt action guns too.

[@sjl9942]

You and me both. Seriously the back half of my right eye is collapsed

[@perchingparrotproductions8777]

didn't know there were so many right-handers who have to shoot left handed for eye problems. I'm the same, blind in right eye since birth.

[@judsongaiden9878]

Peter Falk lost his right eye to cancer at the age of three, but I don't recall whether or not Columbo (who claimed to not carry a gun despite the fact that he was a police lieutenant) handled guns left-handed. It always irks me in pop culture when characters have a dead right eye, yet they continue to shoot right-handed. 'The Walking Dead' is one example of a repeat offender. It's insulting!

[@terryteppo6989]

nothing quit like hot brass hitting your check.

[@vasquitoycia]

Same case. Im relearning the process. Greetings from Argentina

[@judsongaiden9878]

It's only an issue with bolt-actions and side-ejecting bullpups. Just about any other type of gun is mostly ambidextrous (except semi-auto pistols with right-handed slide releases, but we southpaw shootists typically wrack the slide to release it). Also, a left-hander has an advantage with fixed-tube guns that have right-side ejection because it's easier for us to chamber-load that way. It could be argued that we also have an advantage with leverguns that have a king's gate loading port on the right side of the receiver (for the same reason as with chamber-loading). Edit/Note: Eye dominance matter more than hand dominance when it comes to shooting.

[@johnw4416]

No thanks. I'm left handed and left eye dominant. Bought myself a left handed tikka t3x and what a pleasure to shoot. Double barrell shotguns have cast on and off in the stock, try shooting a right hand shotgun left handed and see what you'll hit lol. Ambi guns are great and credit to all manufacturers who build rifles for everyone both left and right handed actions

[@byrdshot4846]

I am a lefty with a decent amount of firearms. Only one of my firearms, a bolt action 22 is designed for lefties. After learning to shoot with right-handed Firearms all these years, I find the left hand bolt action rifle to be quite awkward. You learn to adapt. Thanks for the great video. Keep up the great work guys!

[@buckywardahl7192]

Lefty shooting right handed guns for 40 years. The powder flash to the right cheekbone from my KelTec Sub2000 does get old though lol

[@jwinters3941]

That gun has been the only problem for me shooting left handed. Had to sell for that reason. Such a shame

[@MECowgo]

Shooting an M16A1 in the army left handed without a deflector was painful. A lot of brass burns. It's mainly an issue of not getting smacked in the face with ejected brass of any caliber.

[@stagarmsofficial]

You guys forgot to mention the AR platform. That is for sure preference for a left-handed shooter. It doesn't feel good having gas blowback into your face so having the correct ejection port can make a world of difference whether you are right handed or left handed. We can all agree with you guys for for left handed shooters not having that preference with shotguns, bolt actions and lever actions. Hope to see you guys talk about a Left Handed AR platform in the future, that could be a video all on its own.

[@jaydunbar7538]

That was addressed in a manner, he mentioned specifically not having an issue shooting his M4 service rifle as a southpaw. Sounds to me like the rifle your shooting is over gassed, which always sucks for everyone.

[@wyattwertz]

Yeah I shoot the m16a4 left-handed. Never had an issue with gas or hot brass. In fact I actually shot better than most right handed shooters because I could reload quicker.

[@sharting.zogbot1229]

What are you talking about. I'm left handed and I don't mind at all. Gas me like it's 1939 baby

[@jona5517]

I never had an issue unless it was a bull pup.

[@jthrelf]

Left EYE dominant shooter here. It depends. A bolt action with optic, you need a left handed rifle. Shotgun, I don't care (Mossberg safety is best for ambi) and even prefer a standard righty setup. AR it doesn't matter too much but a fully ambi lower is definitely nice (safety / CH minimum). Lever action, doesn't matter. Dedicated lefty long guns ARE good for safety though if there's a little explodysplody.

[@deejayimm]

All you have to do is design the ejection pattern to not smack us in the face. All of the rest of that ambidextrous stuff gun manufacturers do is not necessary. We will have a bit of a disadvantage but we're used to that. Most of us have had at least one teacher that required us to take notes in a spiral notebook.....

[@OrignalR0kjones]

Basically the argument is over the word "need" Do I as a left handed man "need" something to be left handed? No. Does it make things as easy for me as it would if I were a right handed man living in a world built for right handed people? Sure.

[@gimpyRW]

My wife is a lefty and shoots a Tikka T-3 with a left handed action. She shoots an over and under 20 gauge with a slight left headed bend in the stock. She shoots a Browning BPS with bottom ejection and well as a PS ¡90 with bottom ejection. She started out learning how to shoot a rifle using a right handed bolt action .30-30 and although she can shoot a right handed action she says it's nice to shoot a gun without having the empty ejecting straight across her face.

[@jrive075]

As a lefty it is annoying having a kimber 1911 for a right handed person with the laser right where my thumb is… and they don’t offer it for lefties. Also shooting the AR is annoying when the smoke is right in my face from the ejection port…

[@jamesdavis8351]

It's not about need. Left-handed shooters don't need a LH rifle any more than a right-handed shooter needs a RH one. It is about supply & demand. Left-handed shooters are beginning to demand more LH guns. Stag Arms has gotten, and will continue to receive, my business because they produce LH rifles.

[@Ace0Spades17]

Other than bolt action it’s not really a problem. Like safeties and slide releases can be a pain and other smaller manipulation things just take a little more effort. But with bolt actions I find that a lefty bolt is just nicer to use. I’m perfectly comfortable with a right handed bolt but the lefty just feels a little better and I find I shot better groups more consistently. But that’s just personal experience and I don’t know any other lefty shooters personally

[@stillwatercasey1204]

In my experiences as a left handed shooter, I’ve only encountered one scenario where it became pertinent that my firearm should either be left handed or an ambidextrous design. It was back when I was a little kid going on my first hunting trip, & my father had me try to use his bolt action rifle. The issue was, since I was so small at the time, I didn’t have the wrist strength to support the rifle while working the action & I nearly dropped the gun every time I tried to work the bolt. I’ve also found that the position of the charging handle on a G3 makes it difficult to use left handed, but it was easy to just build my own left handed one with the charging handle on the opposite side.

[@paulkolhepp5070]

I learned to shoot right handed as a kid since my dad was right handed. but being left handed and right eye dominate it has worked for me.

[@DaleChurchward]

I completely disagree with their assessment. I am left handed and have mainly shot right handed pistols and rifles my entire life as well. However, there is nothing wrong with having guns either be ambidextrous, or left handed. May new pistols are already doing that. I get that it is a much more difficult issue for rifles, but it would be nice for once that isn't ejecting spent brass across my face. I would love more left handed gun options.

[@chrisallan4591]

As a lefty, the one and only time it made practical sense, was when I built a benchrest rifle using a Stolle Panda, left bolt/right port action. In benchrest competition, where you have time limits to get 5 shots on record, the small advantage of being able to run the bolt with one hand while simultaneously reload with the other... more than once allowed me to beat the clock.

[@anangryranger]

This myth is just that, a myth. Born a southpaw into a righthanded world. Was forced to become righthanded for many things. But shaving, hammering, and other "utility" activities are all lefthanded. It's a matter of becoming used to whatever you have available.

[@nk-dw2hm]

Being necessary is a myth, but being safer is not. If it fails it's safer to have your face next to solid steel

[@gordoncouger9648]

Many of us 'lefties' that are able to function reasonably well working right-handed have a real advantage over the rest of the population that never bothered to learn to work well with either hand. In almost every job that requires mechanical hand work, there are corners, walls, and edges that require work with the left hand or contortions or are often impossible to reach with the right hand. We usually do well in these jobs.

[@bobclifton8021]

It's rather disgusting hearing people say left handed people can just make do. IT would be interesting to see how right handed people would fare if everything was suddenly left handed and they were told to just make do.

[@eksbocks9438]

Break-actions are usually easier for left-handed people. And there's also niche stuff like the Ithaca 37. Because the brass ejects out the bottom of the gun. Instead of the side.

[@c.m.b.4868]

As a person born and raised left handed, I learned at an early age to adapt to a world designed by and for (primarily) right handers. Firearms were just one more thing I found myself adapting to. While I think that sometimes it would be kinda nice to have a true left handed firearm, at this point in my life (50's) I really don't think I'd be able to adapt to a true left handed gun.

[@AirForceAce3571]

As a lefty who grew up shooting mostly right handed guns, I kind of actually come down on both sides of this fence. For pump and lever action guns, there is no issue at all. For semi auto guns like ARs and such, ejection isn't a big deal as long as there's a shell deflector. The only catch for AR type guns is if there are ambi controls like selector, mag release, and charging handle (all of which are commonly available as either OEM or aftermarket). The biggest advantage for left-handed specific guns are bolt actions. I've shot right-handed bolt guns and can do it, but getting off that second shot in an efficient manner - especially from offhand or a non-prone position - is not as easy. The only left-handed gun I have is my bolt action Savage .30-06, and the ability to get off that second shot efficiently by using my left hand to run the bolt and keeping right hand on the forend (a mirror of the technique used by right handed shooters on standard bolt guns) has come in handy a few times. If you're prone or on a bipod, it's less an issue but in any other position, it is nice to have a lefty bolt gun. As for handguns, the only thing I ask is for ambi or at least reversible mag release and safety (if applicable like 1911). I CAN run right handed guns and mostly due, but there are some cases where it makes life easier to have ambi or lefty versions.

[@BLUELEADER78]

I always thought being left handed using right handed bolt actions was a benefit because of the ability to keep my grip with my shooting hand.

[@WiIdbiII]

It most definitely is a benefit.

[@Theoneguythatdoes]

Me too

[@KassAss420]

Agreed. Feels comfortable to me to rack the bolt with my right hand now. Fuck righty scissors still though 😂

[@terryteppo6989]

until the bottom of the bolt rips a big v shape in the flesh on the top joint/knuckle of thumb. I have permanent scare to prove it. it hurts. I was young and it was the only gun i had and it happened more than once.

[@anthonykaiser974]

That would work fine from prone supported/bipod, but not so well with a heavy offhand if you needed fast and accurate follow-ups, like with a DGR.

[@nk-dw2hm]

Left handed rifles aren't required, but they are safer for lefties. If a cartridge is over pressure or there's a failure in some manner, you don't want your face next to the bolt. The path of least resistance is leading straight into your cheek, rather than the opposite side. Other than that, it's great to keep your trigger hand in place and only move your support hand (at least for bench shooting)

[@mikeratkowski3506]

I’m right handed but my left eye is dominant, got a BB gun at age 7 couldn’t see as well with right eye I’ve always shot a long gun on the left side seems normal to me and now I’m 65.

[@alexrichardson19]

This does matter when you are talking about sporting shotguns that have cast. Cast on for left handed and cast off for right handed.

[@stevenrichards3699]

My Dad was left handed, he bought a Ithaca model 37, in 1950, because he was left handed. I still have it.

[@noahcount7132]

The late, great Jeff Quinn of GunBlast was another left-handed shooter who preferred right-handed bolt actions, for the same reason you gave in this video. He didn't have to change the position of his trigger hand to cycle the action.

[@michaelbarfield528]

I learned to " adapt, adjust and overcome" . This has served me well........

[@doejohn8674]

Left eye dominant here, I shoot pistols right handed and rifles left handed, I only have right handed rifles, the only thing I do is put an ambi safety selector on AR's

[@albertofregoso8280]

Same here

[@huntereberhardt9910]

I’m left handed and the first rifle I ever had was actually a left hand bolt. I can shoot a right handed bolt but it’s a little awkward. Also, I occasionally get hot brass down my shirt when I shot a right hand eject

[@Americanstruggle]

Awesome shout out to Ian, and I've helped a couple new left handed shooters realize they need to practice as if its a right handed world and why. Ambitious controls is obviously cool for them, but I still tell them to not focus on that for SHTF situations.

[@judsongaiden9878]

Eye dominance is what really matters.

[@mikewest272]

The topic here is a bit more nuanced than I think you gave it credit for. With long guns, it honestly has more to do with eye dominance than being right or left handed. There are some obvious benefits to left ejection with gas guns as well, especially as silencers become more mainstream. Also, with palm swells and stock cast, a right-handed gun can be nearly impossible to shoot well left-handed. Sure, I’ll agree that left-handed shooters do not NEED a left-handed gun. But that’s just the tip of a very large iceberg. Would love to see you guys go into a lot more detail around the benefits of a gun more tailored to a left-handed shooter, even if it’s not NECESSARY. Eye dominance can be a great way to approach the subject. Frankly, there are a large number of shooters who have no idea that it’s even a thing.

[@noroom4commies086]

Ive been shooting right handed for 4 years, this year just found out im left eye dominant, WOW what a difference… i think eye dominance is way more important to what “hand” you should be shooting with.

[@wdefghjuefhdegtfthtgf1351]

I agree as a left handed shooter with bull pups being a exception in many cases because of how far back it ejects from it will hit your shoulder on many of them

[@wyattwertz]

I'm right handed and I shoot right handed rifles but I hold it as if a left handed person would shoot a right handed rifle. Pretty much only because I'm left eye dominant

[@johndeboyace7943]

First rifle I shot was 8mm Mauser my father brought back, I was left handed and I just hooked my left thumb on the bolt handle operating it. In 1960 I bought a Savage 110 left hand 30-06, M98 was easier to cycle. In the Army I fired M16, M60 and recoilless, rifles as well operating 105 and 155s. Pistols I fire using my right hand and eye. Scissors I have trouble with and must use my right hand.

[@sharting.zogbot1229]

With rifles its nice because as a lefty you can see into the ejection port to diagnose malfunctions without looking at the other side of the gun

[@williamwinn948]

I'm a lefty, Which is one of the reasons I like Sig rifles for the Ambi controls. Never bought a left handed rifle

[@shootinglefthanded9887]

Sorry guys, I am left-handed and I have both left and right handed rifles. I find Semi Auto right handed to be not safe for me especially with an event that happend to me at my time in the Army. My M16 bloweup and took the right side of lower off including the dust cover, luckely I was shooting right handed at that time. One other thing is 17HMR semi auto will eject very hot prass into my shirt and my hand... I really advice left handed to avoid right handed Semi-Auto for safety... Failing brass will shoot the base of the bullet back into the face of the shooter, in the case of M16 and M4 there might be a slight chance of missing your head because of the brass defelctor, not every semi auto has that... Adding oil and carbo also sprays in my face especially when using a supressor... I will never shoot a 50BMG designed as right handed, left handed, that is a big case to be hit with in the face or arm. Sound and pressure is another reason I wouldnt shoot right handed 50BMG with right hand as the port opens some pressure still will be released through the ejection port, imagin forgetting to put ear protection on?... Safety 1st

[@Dan-uy2ld]

So left handed shooter here. I agree for the most part. I'm also in the British army and we use the SA80 platform. This is a bullpup weapon and cannot be fired left handed, or you'd have spent brass flying straight at your face. Not being able to fire from the opposite shoulder is one of the biggest limitations of the systems in my opinion. I've just learned to shoot from my right shoulder with both eyes open.

[@MrRedhogg]

Thank you because I did not realize this may have been a problem with my right handed semiautomatic. Glad to know I will not have a problem!

[@Rob-ew3fy]

I have always been accustomed to right bolt action as a left handed man. The issue of concern is the shell ejecting side. Like the bullpup shotgun; Some manufacturers are adding the ejection port too close to the buttstock.

[@jakeoutdoors9600]

It is a funny thing you mentioned the single action revolvers. I like my single actions but I have always wondered why the firearm was designed to be held in the left hand to be loaded by the right.

[@DerekLTitus]

under duress, the dominant hand will retain the most dexterity. So the thought was they would be able to load the firearm better with their dominant hand (right hand for most).

[@jakeoutdoors9600]

@@DerekLTitus Seems logical however if that was the philosophy of firearm manufactures then shouldn't double action revolvers have the cylinders swing out to the right for ease of loading with the dominant hand?

[@MScholtz]

And there you said it. I'm a left handed shooter and use a right handed rifle. I'm convinced I have and advantage in some shooting sports like prs because I keep my trigger hand cheek and shoulder position dead still. My front hand comes back to cycle and it is quick. Strangely my AR is not a nice to shoot left handed. My face on the right side means I get alot of the blow out the bolt in my face which is unpleasant especially suppressed.

[@johnnyc563]

This issue is pretty much a moot point, as was pointed out. A very real issue is lefties, as I am, handling a right-handed Revolver or semi-auto pistol. This is where limitations pile up. Pressing a slide release on the left side for a left-handed person is a chore. Hitting the mag release is not very comfortable also. Most Pistols are for right-handed use. I have never heard of a Revolver for a left -handed person. What are your thoughts on this subject, Caleb?

[@RaymondTusk74]

This is very helpful info guys. I am right handed, but my wife and son are left eye dominant and my daughter is left handed. I don’t want to teach them anything that will make shooting difficult down the road. Can you guys do some “how to shoot lefty” tips? Gotta be some golden nuggets we aren’t thinking about.

[@MichaelKMorris]

I'm right handed, but recently aquired a left side AR upper - I can't figure out why they are made backwards in the first place. Keeping my right hand on the handle while loading easily with the left makes way more sense than reaching over the gun...

[@gordoncouger9648]

Their made the Army way.

[@jaydunbar7538]

How is the upper a matter of concern? All of the controls are on the lower other then the charging handle, and there’s really no reason to not run an ambi unless you simply don’t want to and in any case there are more options then a person could ever sort through.

[@davebrunero5529]

I'm right handed and my oldest kid is left handed. I got him a left handed single shot 22lr. After shooting it, I found a preference to left handed bolt action rifles...

[@moosediver1]

I'm a lefty and have been shooting all my life - i'm 56 now- and all my deer rifles are left handed. Love them and they are so much quicker to cycle (bolts only) that I would never go back to a right handed model. But I do agree being a lefty in a right handed world , you just adapt and get on with it.

[@innercynic2784]

I'm right handed but left eye dominant. Can't aim for beans with my right eye. So what to do? I've been advised, since I have no shooting habits to speak of having never shot a rifle for over forty years since basic training, that a left handed bolt action may in fact be the way to go.

[@eksbocks9438]

I think you're only two options would be to either use the rifle left-handed. Or invest in a "cripple stock." My brother has the same issue. Uses pistols right-handed. But his AR is left-handed.

[@codyvincent7825]

I'm lefthanded and I think shooting left handed rifles would be awkward, the only firearm I have left handed is my tavor x95 only because I don't want brass coming out in my face. I never had any issue with any right handed firearms. I even shoot suppressed and I really don't have issues with gas in my face either. While in the military I have gotten so accustomed to the right hand safety as well and learned ways to manipulate it quite fast. But I do prefer ambi controls makes it easier.

[@robertwilliams2623]

Im lefty and all right handed rifle in tell about 5 years ago . I got a left hand 7mm08 love it

[@michaelknox3571]

As a left-hand shooter I prefer my bolt actions and bullpups left-hand. Anything else I either don't care or prefer right hand as I can easily identify any stoppages without having to rotate the firearm to check it.

[@Desert1776]

Left handed. I have a left handed Stag Arms AR 15 and a right handed Sig Sauer M400 Tread AR 15 Pistol. I'm comfortable shooting both. Brass flying in face is more of an issue with handguns than shotguns or rifles. As long as I've got a bolt release on the left AND right of an AR I'm happy because I don't like taking my left hand off the pistol grip to smack it on the left. Easier to just transition my right hand up and over a little after inserting a new mag. On my handguns I like a slide release on both sides and prefer paddle mag release to hit with my left middle finger (I'm short with short hands, so I'd have to move my entire left hand back to hit the mag release on the grip and can't hit it on the right side with my thumb).

[@KruggKruscherp]

My dad always used to look at me funny when I'd shoot with my left hand instead of my right, especially since I'm not exactly left handed. Sometimes my wrist ached (I sleep on my side and sometimes sleep on my hand, hurts for a while after) or I just felt like using my left and I'm just as good left handed as I am with my right. Infact, sometimes I really prefer pulling the trigger on a bolt action with one hand and using my other hand only to rack the bolt, instead of my right hand for *both* tasks. It gets tiring if I'm just plinking all day long to do both things with the same hand.

[@petesheppard1709]

It should be noted that, whenever possible, Ian adapts guns to lefty operation.😉 I am one of those sinisters who learned to shoot dexter gun, and left-adapted controls can be handy.

[@robertbranch4791]

Sure. I can shoot a right hand bolt rifle from my left shoulder, but rapid follow up shots, with a scope, can be a chore. I love my left hand bolts.

[@kenhulme4615]

Yes as a lefty a left handed 870 is better as the bolt release is on the correct side of the trigger guard. On right handed shooting left handed you would have to try and reach under and over to other side if finger length and configuration of release allows. Or would need to adjust grip to release from the other hand. This slows your shots using a pump also causes you to have to aquire sight window again. Also while in prone position either on bench or ground have had hot brass go under arm or in elbow bend.

[@JohnH242]

As a lefty left handed semi auto shotguns are more comfortable to shoot pumps are no big deal

[@InGratitudeIam]

I'm LH and I love the way the AK action operates. I love the way most guns operate. I think the only advantage in being a RH shooter is with regular RH bolt action guns if you want to shoot them fast. Otherwise, no real advantage there either.

[@ReedeetZee]

Southpaw here. After shooting righty guns for a gazillion years I got a lefty bolt action. Found myself wanting to reach over the scope with my right hand to work the bolt handle. LOL. Sold that bad~boy. Once you learn something, don't try to un-learn it!

[@clinkerclint]

Steve is right, laying down prone or shooting from a bench, as a lefty, I prefer a right handed bolt gun. If I'm standing and shooting, I prefer a left handed bolt gun. Right handed side charging ARs are also super handy as a lefty. The only other thing I can think of is if your rifle has a over pressure port built into it, it's always pointed to the right which would be in a lefty's face.

[@bluescatreimer]

I'm left handed and I was born in 53, growing up in a right handed world. I learned to adapt and I became ambidextrous but I have always shot right handed guns. Left handed guns feel strange to me now, needless to say all my guns are right handed guns. The one sport in school I really sucked at was baseball because I caught and threw with my left hand but I batted right handed.

[@kbar11]

As a lefty I learned to use right handed stuff without much of an issue. Only thing I hate using are bullpups that aren't made for leftys and rifles without brass deflectors. I can manage it but its not fun to eat brass for breakfast

[@JZ5439]

the "handedness" of how you shoot mainly depends on your dominant eye...my left handed disability is counter acted by cross eye dominance anytime aiming down sights or scope is involved.

[@leftypew2a703]

Rifles is one thing. Pistols is another. If they're not ambidextrous, they can be a bit difficult to manipulate some of the controls (eg: slide stop) without a bit of training, and some compromise. I manage ok with my Glock (gen 3 non-ambi), but it does require changing my grip to release the slide stop one handed.

[@vietadvisor6781]

Being VERY left-handed I bought a lefty Ruger American. I could never get used to the bolt on the wrong side. Sold that one after 1 deer season

[@donniehowattzer2759]

if left handed people don't need left handed guns. why not make all rifles left handed since it doesn't really matter. =)

[@enriquerodriguez9224]

I agree most firearms work for left or right handed shooters but I can think of two exceptions. The Ruger RPR is canted the wrong way for lefties as are the arm braces on pistol length AR-15 and AK platforms point of aim is difficult for left handed shooters

[@gordoncouger9648]

I think I'm left-handed but growing up in a right-hand world almost every time I started to do something left-handed someone corrected me, sometimes with a ruler across my knuckles. When I was 7 or 8 dad started teaching me to shoot when I shouldered his Remington 241 on the left to take advantage of my domant eye he didn't tell me it was wrong but explained how few guns there were that we friendly to left-handed shooters. Particularly military arms and how unbending the military could be towards left-handed soldiers. It was fine to shoot left-handed if I couldn't learn to shoot right-handed and left it up to me after that. I learned to shoot right-handed. He never complained when we scooped grain out of a truck that I used a scoop shovel left-handed or used a hammer left-handed to put up sheetrock, roofing, or flooring on the side or in corners it was hard to reach right-handed. I should have stuck with double barrels or bought an Ithica pump and shot shotguns left-handed as my left eye would lock on the target now and then for a miss. Learning to shoot really well both left and right-handed was worth the trouble.

[@timlandis6690]

Thanks Steve and Von Baron

[@terryteppo6989]

Always hate the hot brass hitting me in the face. Been shooting right side guns. Safety is the hardest thing to get used to. thumb safeties help. if the popular gun I just buy kits to change the safety around.

[@southpaul48135]

Some companies do sell left hand guns I also have still shoot right handed gun issues I have is semiautomatic pistol getting the catch latch to grab also relishing the mags on the ar platform

[@iamthestormthatisapproachi5349]

I'm a lefty, when I was in the ADF I tried using a right handed Steyr rifle and I got a face full of shells.

[@robbiedavis1197]

I'm left handed. I never really cared about having a left handed gun, until I shot a right handed AR15 suppressed. So I built an 11.5 inch AR15 SBR and a 16 inch AR15 rifle left handed. Its much more enjoyable when shooting supressed, but definitely not a requirement. That's really the only reason I wanted lefty AR15's. I just shoot right handed guns for the most part.

[@adrianmendoza9897]

Yup it’s a right handed world & as a southpaw I always have to make adjustments, but as Caleb said you’re gonna be proficient with what you practice with

[@michaeljohnson309]

I’m left handed and was series high shooter in boot camp. Shot expert every time through the years. Later on ended up being a marksmanship instructor. One inconvenience was the M16A1 didn’t have a deflector and every molten cartridge bounced off my face. I was still the best shooter out of a thousand.

[@jaydunbar7538]

Ya that would blow, deflectors are nice.

[@maynardcarmer3148]

I made do with right-handed guns for years, but finally I said 'enough' and since then bought nothing but left-handed ones. Now, it's my turn to watch righties try to cope with my guns- especially the bolt guns.

[@JoseMora-wc5zz]

Funny enough, I prefer bolts on the right as a left hander. My grip never ceases.

[@jacobm9947]

Left handed left eye dominant, prefer to use lefty bolts unless prone and bullpups are a problem.

[@cliffkirby8570]

As for the AR-15 platform as long as I have an ambidextrous safety selector I'm good to go however I can operate it either way

[@rb70383]

Being a left handed person that has managed to survive in a right handed world, I shoot pistols left handed but rifles right handed as I’m am cross eye dominant. Didn’t realize that till rifle training in the military.

[@LiamDCoughlan]

It’s not left handed! It’s left eye dominant! I’m right handed and left eye dominant. Realised pretty soon after starting to shoot and just learned with my left shoulder, both eyes open. I rather that than closing one eye and losing the peripheral vision. I do also find it’s easier to operate the bolt action shooting the “right handed” rifle in the left shoulder.

[@terryteppo6989]

both eyes is a good thing to learn when using a scope. you can see if people are coming at you at least on one side. if i have a red dot or the like i can do it as well. getting old and it hard to see irons now. so red dots are a saving grace. i shot them with both eyes open all the time now.

[@bigal4334]

I have a couple left hand AR's that I wish I hadn't bought/built. They've come a long way since M16A1 used to throw brass down my sleeve. On the other hand I prefer left hand bolt actions. It's easier to manipulate a rear bag with my right hand and the bolt with my left. Offhand is easier as well.

[@MrMaguyver]

The only "Letf Handed" Rifles I wouldn't mind are bullpup designs. Besides bullpups and slick side AR's I've never had a need for a lefty rifle or pistol. Hell, I even keep the mag release on pistols with reversible mag releases set to RH configuration. Just so used to it...

[@behometexas6633]

I’m right handed but left eye dominant. So I’ve always shot rifles left handed…which has led to a preference and love of lever actions. Can’t stand shooting bolt action right handed.

[@brokebankfishin4839]

As a lefty (not that kind dont be dumb) who has only fired righty guns I would love a lefty bolt action rifle just to feel what its like.

[@huntereberhardt9910]

It would probably feel weird, as I felt when I shot a eighty gun for the first time

[@newguy2794]

I'm left handed, I'm right eye dominant so, I shoot right handed. That includes handguns. It's never been a problem.

[@jaydunbar7538]

Yes it’s a matter of practice, right handed shooters practice shooting left handed as well. Well at least some of us do, it just depends on what your training/practicing for.

[@Kodiac]

Always a pleasure gentlemen

[@jjay718]

I never cared till I bought my first bolt action rifle. Dont like having to move my support hand to cycle the bolt or reaching over with my trigger hand. Its also annoying sometimes when shooting an over gassed AR with the ejection right in front of your face.

[@terrybailey9621]

as an ambi shooter that constantly injures my right hand you can shoot everything but bullpups left handed without issue, percussion muzzleloaders will sting you a bit and you have to roll bullpups but it's not a big issue

[@artcantulaw]

I just accepted that all guns were the same So when I got back into shooting I discovered there are left handed bolt actions. I was lucky enough to score a Savage Magpul Hunter 308 left handed. Now I realize I still ok going back to right handed bolt actions, yet I love my Savage

[@Argentum7756]

I shoot left handed and I have to disagree somewhat. It's 2022 and we should get the features we want and pay for in guns. It is refreshing to see so many pistols come ambidextrous out of the box and most ARs can be bent to what you need. Where having the controls more convenient for you matters is in competitions like USPSA where fractions of a second really do matter in a reload, etc. The mission drives the gear. And if there is no suitable gear then I call that a marketplace gap.

[@captainnibby]

Only thing I'll say- the only gun I've felt I NEEDED in lefty was my Hawken muzzleloader rifle. I'm not comfortable with the flash being right in front of my eye, lol. I bought my 30-06 in lefty because I thought I should and it felt weird after shooting my dad's since I was young.

[@1977Yakko]

I'm right handed but I'm blind in my right eye. Oddly, I still shoot handguns right handed but I obviously have to shoot two handed weapons like rifles and shotguns left handed. It's never been a problem shooting right handed rifles and shotguns left handed. Some of them are easy to use in either hand like my Mossberg 590A1. Another I got specifically for its ambidextrous features like my Sig M400 Tread. Others are just straight up right handed firearms like my Romanian AKM. I have yet to buy a dedicated left handed weapon and I can't say I'm even looking for one.