AR Sponsor
Posted: 4/10/2009 8:55:14 PM EDT
| I'm considering the purchase of an AR. I'm left handed. I've seen some left handed ARs but I'm not sure how common they are or if each manufacturer has a left handed version. Also, I'm not sure if it really makes sense to purchase a left handed version. Is it really preferable for a left hander? |
| I'm a lefty and with the brass deflector I have had no problems with shooting a regular right handed AR. If you want a lefty model I'm sure it will be fine, but you aren't going to catch brass in the face with a righty. I find that I can manipulate the safety, mag release and everything fine with the righty controls too. |
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I am left handed too and I am not sure either. I know I am left handed and left eye dominant, but my first rifle (brand new) is right handed. I have thought about trading it and buying a left handed one. I think that everything in the upper is lefty - a left handed bolt and bolt carrier, which limits your options to Stag?
Is it best to try to learn righthanded or go with your strength and shoot left? |
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Does a lefty Stag cost more than a comparable righty/standard Stag? Yeah I think the lefty version is a little more. Figures  Seems like us lefties often face fewer choices and higher prices. I know so little about the platform it's hard to know what to do or if I should even enter the market. I have a much better understanding of handguns.
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I'm a lefty and with the brass deflector I have had no problems with shooting a regular right handed AR. If you want a lefty model I'm sure it will be fine, but you aren't going to catch brass in the face with a righty. I find that I can manipulate the safety, mag release and everything fine with the righty controls too. +1 I'm also left-handed- with the shell deflector, I haven't had problems with brass hitting me in the face. Now maybe a hard-sided brass catcher could get in your way, but I don't know that for sure. I find the bolt catch on a right-handed version quite easy to operate left-handed. Operating the right-handed safety selector is a little harder for me. But you can get an ambidextrous safety later. I've bought an ambidextrous safety, but haven't installed it yet; have decided to use it on my next build instead, which will be right-handed, by the way. I think it would be reasonable to keep your right-handed version, shoot left-handed, and see how it goes. It's probably good to also learn to shoot with the non-dominant side as well; certainly LE and military train for that, in case of being wounded. You can get an ambidextrous safety later on, and if you decide to sell it the rifle, it should be quite easy to sell, given the current climate. My guess is that a right-handed version will be easier to sell than a left-handed one. |
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I'm a lefty and with the brass deflector I have had no problems with shooting a regular right handed AR. If you want a lefty model I'm sure it will be fine, but you aren't going to catch brass in the face with a righty. I find that I can manipulate the safety, mag release and everything fine with the righty controls too. This! If anything it is easier to manipulate the safety as a left handed shooter with a right handed AR. The mag release is the only issue i have. I practice firing from both right and left hand positions with my rifle which is a right handed model and when shooting from the left I don't even notice the brass. Years ago as i understand it the M-16 did not have the brass deflector on the rifle and that made it hell for the southpaw but since the brass deflector is standard on almost every model upper now it's not really an issue. |
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I'm right hand but left eye dominant and have hunting guns in both right and left hand. I learned I could shoot better with what comes natural for my "shooting eye", I shoot the left hand guns better than I do my right handed.
I have a Stag Model 3 left hand with the EOTech sight and it comes naturely up to my sight picture when ever I shouder the gun, I tried my friends right handed rifle with another EOTech left handed and I had to move my head to get it right. The Stag left hand models only cost a little more but to me it's worth it. |
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I'm right hand but left eye dominant and have hunting guns in both right and left hand. I learned I could shoot better with what comes natural for my "shooting eye", I shoot the left hand guns better than I do my right handed. I have a Stag Model 3 left hand with the EOTech sight and it comes naturely up to my sight picture when ever I shouder the gun, I tried my friends right handed rifle with another EOTech left handed and I had to move my head to get it right. The Stag left hand models only cost a little more but to me it's worth it. This is an interesting observation, but I don't understand why it would be the case. I thought the left handed and right handed models were identical except for the controls and ejector being reversed. Why would the sights change? What am I missing in my understanding? |
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get the lefty model. in this day and age why wouldn't you get what is better designed for you?
my wife and 4 very close friends are all left handed. not all of them own lefty AR's but i'm working on it. sure all of them can shoot a standard AR just fine and the Army didn't have a lefty version to issue to the wife and she did ok. it's not that you can't learn how to run a standard AR and i encourage everyone to spend some time operating weak side to insure that you can if the need arises. the thing is that if you can get a rifle that is designed to work with the way you are set up then why not? pick up a spare bolt and move on. i'm in the process of turning my wife's rifle into a full lefty SBR demo gun. one part that i am completely happy with will work left or right is the JP selector LINK it gives you a true left handed switch and not the ambi. (i can't stand the ambi switch, damn lever is under my finger when i'm on the trigger and it bothers me) another part is the new ambi charging handle LINK (i have several of these inbound, i may use them on all custom builds {can friendly version is in the works}) if you plan to run a can at any point you will appreciate a dedicated left handed rifle. http://www.lefthandrifles.com/ar/ another member turned me on to this site. 16.1" Recon 5.56mm Stainless barrel, 1 in 7" twist
Smith Vortex flash suppressor 1/2 x 28 threads Left hand flat top upper receiver 11" railed handguard Mid length gas system Shot peened and MP tested bolt Properly staked carrier key Mil-spec receiver extension, staked H buffer VLTOR carbine buttstock Tango Down pistol grip Ambidextrous safety selector Norgon Ambi-Catch mag release Flip-up front and rear sights Low-profile gas block pinned to barrel Two stage trigger One 30 round mag included |
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I'm considering the purchase of an AR. I'm left handed. I've seen some left handed ARs but I'm not sure how common they are or if each manufacturer has a left handed version. Also, I'm not sure if it really makes sense to purchase a left handed version. Is it really preferable for a left hander? YES! The biggest pro argument (I think it trumps any arguments against) : SAFETY This has yet to be touched upon in the above posts. The AR-15 platform was designed primarily with a right-handed shooter. With that in mind, you can see it quite clearly evidenced by the standard controls. What you don't see right off the bat are the built in features in case of failure. Pierced primer? See those little holes on the side of the bolt carrier? That is exactly where any gasses and debris will come shooting out of. Pointed directly at your face if you are a lefty using a standard rifle. Out of battery ignition? The weak spot of the upper reciever again is right by your face. Shrapnel is going towards you instead of away from you. The possibility of these things happening is low, but still why set yourself up for a nasty surprise? |
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I'm considering the purchase of an AR. I'm left handed. I've seen some left handed ARs but I'm not sure how common they are or if each manufacturer has a left handed version. Also, I'm not sure if it really makes sense to purchase a left handed version. Is it really preferable for a left hander? YES! The biggest pro argument (I think it trumps any arguments against) : SAFETY This has yet to be touched upon in the above posts. The AR-15 platform was designed primarily with a right-handed shooter. With that in mind, you can see it quite clearly evidenced by the standard controls. What you don't see right off the bat are the built in features in case of failure. Pierced primer? See those little holes on the side of the bolt carrier? That is exactly where any gasses and debris will come shooting out of. Pointed directly at your face if you are a lefty using a standard rifle. Out of battery ignition? The weak spot of the upper reciever again is right by your face. Shrapnel is going towards you instead of away from you. The possibility of these things happening is low, but still why set yourself up for a nasty surprise? good point, i never thought of that |
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it's not that you can't learn how to run a standard AR and i encourage everyone to spend some time operating weak side to insure that you can if the need arises. This. You should do this even if you don't expect a SHTF type situation. Last year when I was deer hunting, I had a buck walk up behind me and far over to my right. I'm right handed right eye dominant. Of course, with the deer on my extreme right with a tree behind me, I couldn't shoulder right handed. So I shouldered up left handed with left eye looking through the scope. One shot right through the heart with a 7mm magnum made him DRT. I don't practice lefty shooting like that much, and I'll admit the range was short, but I have fired lefty a bit so I knew how to do it when I needed it. |
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I'm considering the purchase of an AR. I'm left handed. I've seen some left handed ARs but I'm not sure how common they are or if each manufacturer has a left handed version. Also, I'm not sure if it really makes sense to purchase a left handed version. Is it really preferable for a left hander? YES! The biggest pro argument (I think it trumps any arguments against) : SAFETY This has yet to be touched upon in the above posts. The AR-15 platform was designed primarily with a right-handed shooter. With that in mind, you can see it quite clearly evidenced by the standard controls. What you don't see right off the bat are the built in features in case of failure. Pierced primer? See those little holes on the side of the bolt carrier? That is exactly where any gasses and debris will come shooting out of. Pointed directly at your face if you are a lefty using a standard rifle. Out of battery ignition? The weak spot of the upper reciever again is right by your face. Shrapnel is going towards you instead of away from you. The possibility of these things happening is low, but still why set yourself up for a nasty surprise? Quoted:
get the lefty model. in this day and age why wouldn't you get what is better designed for you? my wife and 4 very close friends are all left handed. not all of them own lefty AR's but i'm working on it. sure all of them can shoot a standard AR just fine and the Army didn't have a lefty version to issue to the wife and she did ok. it's not that you can't learn how to run a standard AR and i encourage everyone to spend some time operating weak side to insure that you can if the need arises. the thing is that if you can get a rifle that is designed to work with the way you are set up then why not? pick up a spare bolt and move on. i'm in the process of turning my wife's rifle into a full lefty SBR demo gun. one part that i am completely happy with will work left or right is the JP selector LINK it gives you a true left handed switch and not the ambi. (i can't stand the ambi switch, damn lever is under my finger when i'm on the trigger and it bothers me) another part is the new ambi charging handle LINK (i have several of these inbound, i may use them on all custom builds {can friendly version is in the works}) if you plan to run a can at any point you will appreciate a dedicated left handed rifle. http://www.lefthandrifles.com/ar/ another member turned me on to this site. 16.1" Recon 5.56mm Stainless barrel, 1 in 7" twist
Smith Vortex flash suppressor 1/2 x 28 threads Left hand flat top upper receiver 11" railed handguard Mid length gas system Shot peened and MP tested bolt Properly staked carrier key Mil-spec receiver extension, staked H buffer VLTOR carbine buttstock Tango Down pistol grip Ambidextrous safety selector Norgon Ambi-Catch mag release Flip-up front and rear sights Low-profile gas block pinned to barrel Two stage trigger One 30 round mag included This biggest problem I have with these two statements is the fact that right handed parts availability completely outweigh that of what youll be able to find for a left handed model. I am a southpaw like every other shooter in this thread, and I have 2 right handed models. I'll tell you what made my decision to not get a leftie model was the fact that some major parts on it would be made specifically for a left handed AR. If for whatever reason you broke something in your BCG (which can happen quite often, and is one part on your AR that matters for consistency and reliability) you would have to go back to the original manufacturer and get the right part for it. There is no going to an aftermarket bolt or BCG. The brass in your face is not existant with a deflector, and the gas is minimal with the right parts. The only thing youll need is and ambi safety selector. Even the Norgon ambi catch isnt that integral IMO. Just get the righty, enjoy the ability to buy where and what you need, and dont worry about the brass. |
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This biggest problem I have with these two statements is the fact that right handed parts availability completely outweigh that of what youll be able to find for a left handed model. I am a southpaw like every other shooter in this thread, and I have 2 right handed models. I'll tell you what made my decision to not get a leftie model was the fact that some major parts on it would be made specifically for a left handed AR. If for whatever reason you broke something in your BCG (which can happen quite often, and is one part on your AR that matters for consistency and reliability) you would have to go back to the original manufacturer and get the right part for it. There is no going to an aftermarket bolt or BCG. The brass in your face is not existant with a deflector, and the gas is minimal with the right parts. The only thing youll need is and ambi safety selector. Even the Norgon ambi catch isnt that integral IMO. Just get the righty, enjoy the ability to buy where and what you need, and dont worry about the brass. IMO These worries are unfounded... There are only three parts I am aware of that truly cannot be replaced by their standard equivalent. -upper receiver -bolt carrier -bolt body You'd be hard pressed to damage or lose the first two and you should have a spare bolt on hand anyways for the third. 
ETA: I didn't count the 'Ambi-Extension' because by all indications so far it doesn't really affect Semi builds. |
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I'm considering the purchase of an AR. I'm left handed. I've seen some left handed ARs but I'm not sure how common they are or if each manufacturer has a left handed version. Also, I'm not sure if it really makes sense to purchase a left handed version. Is it really preferable for a left hander? YES! The biggest pro argument (I think it trumps any arguments against) : SAFETY This has yet to be touched upon in the above posts. The AR-15 platform was designed primarily with a right-handed shooter. With that in mind, you can see it quite clearly evidenced by the standard controls. What you don't see right off the bat are the built in features in case of failure. Pierced primer? See those little holes on the side of the bolt carrier? That is exactly where any gasses and debris will come shooting out of. Pointed directly at your face if you are a lefty using a standard rifle. Out of battery ignition? The weak spot of the upper reciever again is right by your face. Shrapnel is going towards you instead of away from you. The possibility of these things happening is low, but still why set yourself up for a nasty surprise? Quoted:
get the lefty model. in this day and age why wouldn't you get what is better designed for you? my wife and 4 very close friends are all left handed. not all of them own lefty AR's but i'm working on it. sure all of them can shoot a standard AR just fine and the Army didn't have a lefty version to issue to the wife and she did ok. it's not that you can't learn how to run a standard AR and i encourage everyone to spend some time operating weak side to insure that you can if the need arises. the thing is that if you can get a rifle that is designed to work with the way you are set up then why not? pick up a spare bolt and move on. i'm in the process of turning my wife's rifle into a full lefty SBR demo gun. one part that i am completely happy with will work left or right is the JP selector LINK it gives you a true left handed switch and not the ambi. (i can't stand the ambi switch, damn lever is under my finger when i'm on the trigger and it bothers me) another part is the new ambi charging handle LINK (i have several of these inbound, i may use them on all custom builds {can friendly version is in the works}) if you plan to run a can at any point you will appreciate a dedicated left handed rifle. http://www.lefthandrifles.com/ar/ another member turned me on to this site. 16.1" Recon 5.56mm Stainless barrel, 1 in 7" twist
Smith Vortex flash suppressor 1/2 x 28 threads Left hand flat top upper receiver 11" railed handguard Mid length gas system Shot peened and MP tested bolt Properly staked carrier key Mil-spec receiver extension, staked H buffer VLTOR carbine buttstock Tango Down pistol grip Ambidextrous safety selector Norgon Ambi-Catch mag release Flip-up front and rear sights Low-profile gas block pinned to barrel Two stage trigger One 30 round mag included This biggest problem I have with these two statements is the fact that right handed parts availability completely outweigh that of what youll be able to find for a left handed model. I am a southpaw like every other shooter in this thread, and I have 2 right handed models. I'll tell you what made my decision to not get a leftie model was the fact that some major parts on it would be made specifically for a left handed AR. If for whatever reason you broke something in your BCG (which can happen quite often, and is one part on your AR that matters for consistency and reliability) you would have to go back to the original manufacturer and get the right part for it. There is no going to an aftermarket bolt or BCG. The brass in your face is not existant with a deflector, and the gas is minimal with the right parts. The only thing youll need is and ambi safety selector. Even the Norgon ambi catch isnt that integral IMO. Just get the righty, enjoy the ability to buy where and what you need, and dont worry about the brass. Biggest problem I can see with this statement is that the fact there are only 4 count em, 4 parts different between the Stag Lefty and any righty. Those parts would be; Stripped bolt carrier Stripped bolt body, stripped upper, and the barrel extension. Thats it. The chances of you breaking a bolt carrier body ( remember, all the parts of the entire BCG such as extractors, ejectors, gas rings, firing pin, etc..etc... with the exception of the bodys themselves are the exact same. NOT some weird abomination. While you MAY break a bolt body sometime in your life ( maybe ), you will not break the bolt carrier body. The gas key? Just maybe. But again, that is the same as for a righty. Now, onto the barrel extension. Although I suppose it's possible to break one, I'm at a loss to figure out how. Their pretty hardy and not a servicable part. Last but not least, the stripped upper. Again, all parts ( charging handle, FA, dust cover, are the exact same as for a righty). It is possible and has happened that an upper can need replacing, but from what I've seen, it's usualy when theres a KB, which at that point, you have more issues to worry about. The Stag is a quality weapon. It is made and was designed correctly. If your not a Lefty, I can see why you wouldnt want one. But if your a Lefty like myself, I cant see any reason why you wouldnt want one, including the previously mentioned safety reasons. Go for it. You will not be sorry. |
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I'm right hand but left eye dominant and have hunting guns in both right and left hand. I learned I could shoot better with what comes natural for my "shooting eye", I shoot the left hand guns better than I do my right handed. I have a Stag Model 3 left hand with the EOTech sight and it comes naturely up to my sight picture when ever I shouder the gun, I tried my friends right handed rifle with another EOTech left handed and I had to move my head to get it right. The Stag left hand models only cost a little more but to me it's worth it. This is an interesting observation, but I don't understand why it would be the case. I thought the left handed and right handed models were identical except for the controls and ejector being reversed. Why would the sights change? What am I missing in my understanding? Maybe it's just me but I've been doing it with my hunting rifles with their scopes all these years and when ever I bring up a left hand rifle the scope comes up and lines up naturaly to my left eye. On my friends Bustmaster I had to move my head to get his scope lined up. I have a AR-180 and had to do the same thing to line up the scope. Maybe some other people do things different but I love my Stage left hand. |
| I think my point to the OP was that besides the whole brass thing, there isnt really a need to go with a leftie model. And why limit yourself to a Stag when you can get a much better rifle, knowing as a leftie, those things (brass in your face, ambi controls) arent really issues on a right handed model either. |
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I agree that there isnt any need. But there are desires. I like the fact that somone makes an item for the few of us out there. Not only that, it isnt a bastardized set-up that can so often happen when a company makes changes to something made for right handers. For me, its not only because of the high quality of a Stag, but because it's unique. Not oddball. Unique. I've stated before that the two SP1's rarely gave me an issue, and they didnt even have an ejector lump. Occasionaly, I'd get the brim of my hat dinged by an empty. As for the safety factor, if you ever do have a KB, the damage will exit out the magwell, and the ejection port. I'd rather it happen out the side my face is NOT on.
I was dubious when I first encountered the Lefty Stag a few years back. Would it allow me to swap uppers? Would I need to stockpile a bunch of oddball parts for when they quickly quit making this strange thing? I'm glad the answers were no. It is one of those rare items us Lefty's get to use that really makes sense and is a pleasure to use. Last but not least, it's fun for awhile to pelt unsuspecting shooters to my left with brass for a change. Especialy if I'm at the last point on the firing line! 
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I agree that there isnt any need. But there are desires. I like the fact that somone makes an item for the few of us out there. Not only that, it isnt a bastardized set-up that can so often happen when a company makes changes to something made for right handers. For me, its not only because of the high quality of a Stag, but because it's unique. Not oddball. Unique. I've stated before that the two SP1's rarely gave me an issue, and they didnt even have an ejector lump. Occasionaly, I'd get the brim of my hat dinged by an empty. As for the safety factor, if you ever do have a KB, the damage will exit out the magwell, and the ejection port. I'd rather it happen out the side my face is NOT on. I was dubious when I first encountered the Lefty Stag a few years back. Would it allow me to swap uppers? Would I need to stockpile a bunch of oddball parts for when they quickly quit making this strange thing? I'm glad the answers were no. It is one of those rare items us Lefty's get to use that really makes sense and is a pleasure to use. Last but not least, it's fun for awhile to pelt unsuspecting shooters to my left with brass for a change. Especialy if I'm at the last point on the firing line! Gotta agree with you on that, and I definitely agree that Stag makes quality stuff.
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