Do any of you left handed guys carry a revolver for CCW?  If so, what procedure do you use to reload?

I ask this because I took my little sister to the gun show today to get her a CCW piece, but soon realized that she was having problems with the .38 revolver she was looking at.  She liked how it felt, but, since she is left handed, when it came time to open the cyllinder she found it awkward.  Being right handed, this thought never crossed my mind.  

I didn't know what to tell her except "maybe you should go with an auto"...
she replied "the only auto I like is the 1911, and thats to big to carry"

What say you arfcom on this situation?

Sorry if this post is bad or confusing, I did it in haste...I am off to go fishing!

Index finger to unlock the cylinder, push with right thumb, point up and push ejector rod with right hand palm. At the same time you adjust your left hand (usually index finger) so the empty cases will fall freely.

Grab speedloader, point down, load and close cylinder with right hand.

It is a bit difficult to explain but it is not hard to do once you get the hang of it.

Most of the competition guys switch hands and she can too

Gun goes empty
Gun goes to right hand opens cylinder
Left hand grabs strip/speedloader and tops off cylinder then closes it
Gun goes back to left hand


Works for Jerry (Reversed of course)
Awesomeness

1911- Springfield Micro Compact

Mine is a good little gun-not identical to this one though

Less expensive model of the same gun

A compact 1911 is not too big to carry.

Charter makes a left handed .38 snubby though.

Most DA revo's are easier to reload for a left handed shooter than a right handed one.
Gun runs dry
Index finger of left hand push's release, right hand comes up and pushes out cyl with thumb
Right hand thumb goes through frame window and frame is cradled in palm of right hand (RH thumb holds cyl from moving after opening)
Right hand index finger briskly 'pop's ejection rod to kick empties out while left hand reaches for speedloader
Right hand lowers pistol to muzzle down position while left hand indexes speedloader
Align speedloader and insert rounds
LH Drops speedloader and grasps pistol grips while right hand swings cyl closed and moves to re-assume two handed grip

Through the whole operation the pistol is held firmly and can't swing/flop around, by one hand or the other. With a little practice it's smooth and can actually be performed in total darkness with almost as much speed, just by feel. Eventually your fingers build enough memory so that they seek out the cyl flutes and your hands just 'know' where to index the speedloader to line things up.

All the left handers I work with just swap hands and load as if they were right handers.

Tried that briefly but it just feels smoother to me doing it my way. No biggie, whatever works.

Thanks for the replies guys.

When she said "a 1911" she meant my full size, she has never shot a compact.  That could be an option.  I also mentioned something with a similar "feel" to a 1911 but in a different caliber (as in a 9mm, like a CZ Rami or something).  In the end its not my decision and only she can make that choice.  

I tried the left handed reloading techniques, and after a few minutes even I was able to start to get the hang of it.  With practice I know a left handed shooter can get very proficient at it.  I personally liked Nosmik's technique (then again, I'm a righty, so what the hell do I know).  Ultimately it is up to sis to decide which is best for her.  

America ;  the land of choices.

Gun goes dry
transfer (using an assist with the RH) from LH grip to the revolver cylinder laying on your 2 LH middle fingers.
LH side of weapon is now generally facing up.
With your RH thumb release the cylinder latch. ("pull" a Colt,  "push" a S&W)
Use those two LH fingers to push open the cylinder and secure the weapon through the frame.
LH thumb hits the ejection rod with the muzzle generally up so empties fall free
A tight cylinder can be slammed with the RH palm.
Pull the weapon into your midsection for an "index" while re-orienting muzzle down ...
 ... and retrieving speedloader, strips, rounds, etc. with you RH
reload
Use the "meat" of your LH thumb to securely close the cylinder then
re-acquiring a proper 2-hand hold.

Stay safe

Ditto the above....

as others have pointed out... a compact 1911 is not too big to carry. It may feel a little heavy and awkward to her at first, but what she needs to be PAINFULLY aware of before committing is the crucial balance between carry comfort and shootability. J-frame revolvers and their ilk are excellent, convenient carry pieces, but they are a major PITA for long range sessions, especially the airweights, and .357 is plain absurd. Proper carry is IWB, so the two should be negligable. the only concern is price (where you can spend $300-$500 on a dead-on reliable revolver and get a total POS compact 1911 until you spend large amounts more).

Left thumb releases the thumb nut
right thumb pushes cylinder open
right forefinger pushes ejector rod-ONCE
left hand reaches for speedloader-reloads
right fingers sweep cylinder closed while left hand regains firing grip.

Quoted: J-frame revolvers and their ilk are excellent, convenient carry pieces, but they are a major PITA for long range sessions, especially the airweights, and .357 is plain absurd.

+ a millon

Having just returned from a range trip with my new J-frame airweight, I wholeheartedly agree with everything in this statement. Great for carry, but punishing to the hands when you try to practice a lot. (And anyone who willingly decides to shoot a .357 lightweight with full-house loads all the time is not in their right mind)

I also agree with the sentiment that a 1911 is not too big to carry. Far too many people harbor this misconception. A good belt and a good holster make all the difference in the world.

the way I was taught and now teach.

1-Bring left hand thumb over and push the cylinder release forward with left hand thumb.
2- take right hand thumb and push cylinder outward letting thumb go threw the frame and wrap fingers around.
3-take left hand and forcefully hit ejector rod (none of this use your thumb or finger shit incase the chambers are dirty or the casings are sticking.
4-left hand gets speedloader or strip and loads cylinder(while righthand tilts the barrel end down)  and drops loader.
5- close cylinder and get proper grip.

Thanks for the tips...lots of good info in the thread.

(And anyone who willingly decides to shoot a .357 lightweight with full-house loads all the time is not in their right mind)

I may be in my right brain, but I'm probably not in my right mind...

On another note, Federal .357 Hydra-Shoks..."Low Recoil" my ass...

We train our people to switch hands and load like a right hander as others have said. Our lead instructors are left handed, and that's the way they teach it.

I seen the movies, when the gun runs dry you dont reload, you throw it at your oponent

Quoted: Most DA revo's are easier to reload for a left handed shooter than a right handed one. Gun runs dry Index finger of left hand push's release, right hand comes up and pushes out cyl with thumb Right hand thumb goes through frame window and frame is cradled in palm of right hand (RH thumb holds cyl from moving after opening) Right hand index finger briskly 'pop's ejection rod to kick empties out while left hand reaches for speedloader Right hand lowers pistol to muzzle down position while left hand indexes speedloader Align speedloader and insert rounds LH Drops speedloader and grasps pistol grips while right hand swings cyl closed and moves to re-assume two handed grip Through the whole operation the pistol is held firmly and can't swing/flop around, by one hand or the other. With a little practice it's smooth and can actually be performed in total darkness with almost as much speed, just by feel. Eventually your fingers build enough memory so that they seek out the cyl flutes and your hands just 'know' where to index the speedloader to line things up.

That's how I do it. Thanks for saving me all the typing.

Charter Arms has you covered in small revolvers.

http://www.charterfirearms.com/images/products/prod_pgs/93820.gif

www.charterfirearms.com/products/Charter_Southpaw_93820.html