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Posted: 4/28/2008 8:17:30 AM EDT
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Guys, I have been reading on here a lot, but this is my first post, so go easy on me! hat Also, are there any other things that must be considered before building a lefty rifle? It is my understanding that the bolt must also be left handed, but what about other things internally? Thanks for any feedback. -Cory |
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I would recommend the Stag. It is basically a mirror image of a mil-spec upper just with the ejection on the left. It does require a left hand bolt and carrier, which I would recommend that you get from Stag as well. Actually, Rainier Arms offers this as a kit “complete lefty upper, complete lefty bolt carrier group and charging handle for about $350… CLICK HERE FOR LINK As far as other parts go… the only real “must have” in my opinion is an ambi-selector which is also available from Stag. Some companies offer barrels with an “ambi” barrel extension, but this is not a must and the lack of an “ambi” barrel extension shouldn’t act as a deterrent from buying a particular barrel. Some hand guards require a little “tweaking” in order to work with the lefty uppers also, but I have not run across anything that cant be done with a jewelers file or a Dremel tool and a little touch-up with a “tactical” sharpie marker. Another consideration is the vice block for the upper… The “clam shell” style will NOT work with a lefty upper. You will need the “Claw” style and the best price for one is from ADCO. CLICK HERE FOR LINK |
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I also shoot left handed since determining I was left eye dominant. I have (8) AR's but not a single left-handed version. I have from time to time considered purchasing or building one but then I ask "what's the point?" The only problem I ever had was with the old A1 rifles issued to me in the 70's. Unlike the A2 versions of today they did not have a brass deflector behind the ejection port. As a result I was always getting slapped in the face with hot brass. I have never been hit with brass from an A2 model. Lefty's will need a ambidextrous safety switch and if you want a form fitted pistol grip make sure its left handed. Other than that the standard right handed version suits me fine. If I eventually do get a left handed upper it will be a Stag. I have (2) Stag lowers now and I like the quality. Keep in mind if you ever need to sell it the market will be limited to only left handed shooters. |
| I started building mine in December, Im also left handed but I shoot almost equally as accurate ambi. I was also looking at the leftys, I decided to go with the standard right. From what I have found like voodoo said the brass deflector takes care of the problem with hot brass hitting to in the face. Plus the parts are a little harder to come by. I also read somewhere that there is a way to adjust the way the brass ejects also. I will look around for the article |
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Yeah, It's true that you don't NEED a lefty upper. But you know what, if I'm gonna buy/build an AR and spend that kind of cash, I'm going to get what I want. Do it right the first time instead of always wondering if you made the right decision. Just my 2cents. Here's a picture of mine for ideas. -Stag LH upper (w/ Stag Lefty bolt and bolt carrier of course) -Ambi Selector Switch *Next step is to get an Norgon Ambi-catch.* http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t85/Cavboy1/MyKickassM4.jpg Hope this helps bud. -Cav |
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Firearm designers put the ejection port on the side opposite the shooter's face for a lot of very legitimate reasons. Those reasons don't take a day off when a left-handed shooter is forced to use a right-handed weapon. Instead, we just get to take the extra risk. Yes, some try to put a happy spin on it and claim it is actually a feature, but that too is a load of bunk. Take one look at a catastrophic weapon failure and you'll see a mess that would seriously ruin the day of a left-handed shooter. The Stag lefty uses a standard AR lower and a dedicated lefty upper. The upper and bolt carrier are unique to the lefty (they're a mirror of the standard parts, thanks to the wonders of CAD/CAM) and the barrel uses an "ambidextrous" barrel extension, which means it will work with both lefty and standard uppers. So yes, barrels with the proper extension aren't quite as common as "regular" barrels, but they ARE available. Not to mention, how often do you need a new barrel? The trade-off for this little inconvenience is a weapon designed for southpaws. If you're preparing for the end of the world and/or you think one of the largest AR companies (CMT/Stag) might go under, pick up a used "standard" upper off of the EE and put it in the "archive." Now you're covered. Or just buy a spare bolt & carrier for your lefty. The bottom line is that for the first time, ever, you can actually buy a true left handed "assault rifle" instead of having to compromise with something designed for the other 90% of the populace. |
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It drives me nuts that every frikking thing in the world is made backwards, from clipboards to can openers, but I don't really have any problems with the AR15/M16. I use my thumb on the safety/selector, which seems to work fine. The only thing with which I am aware of having trouble is one of those high-speed magazine changes, because I have to drop the empty and then grab the full with the same hand. |
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I like how the lefty uppers have been designed as much as possible to have part commonality with the righties. I would definitely get the lefty upper and if you are really paranoid, buy a couple replacement bolts and no worries. I think the brass deflector was a great solution for the military services where they need their rifles to be one size fits all, but why live with a compromise when it's your money and your rifle? |
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I shoot left handed and all I did was put a ambi selectors and left handed sling points on my work rifles. Never had a problem, ever. Like the fact that I can look at the ejection port without having to lean the rifle over if I need to. I would buy another right handed rifle before I bought a lefty. |
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Take a look at Legal Transfers; Pete is a great guy and Stag is a really nice weapon.. Legal Transfers |
If you ever get a bad round of ammo and blow up that rifle, "looking at the ejection port" won't seem like such a "feature" any longer. Assuming you can still see at all. If it WAS a feature, Mr. Stoner would have put the port on the left side in the first place as an advantage to the 90% of shooters who are right-handed. He didn't. Nor did any other weapons designer. That ain't a coincidence. |
True! Buy a LH rifle and don't look back. I did and couldn't be happier! |
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