Posted: 7/10/2005 3:57:45 AM EDT
| As a buyer and user of great handguns over the years I have often wondered why Sig does nothing for the lefty?? We went to dinner with friends last night and one of the guys was showing off his new Sig. I would buy one in a heartbeat. It felt great in the hand and seemed every bit as nice as the HK USP. I guess it will end up being an HK P2000 sitting next to my P7M8 instead of a Sig. Too bad really, I liked the Sig better. |
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I am a lefty and have used Sigs exclusively for almost 20 years. Do not let the inital layout of the pistol intimidate you. The magazine catch can be easily switched. Interestingly enough, I did not bother to do so on two of my three Sig pistols. The two I use for training and daily carry are still configured for right handed use. The pistol is a smidge SAFER for lefties than righties: To release the magazine, I use my trigger finger. It is just as fast as using the thumb. Plus, there is the additional safety of having the trigger finger away from the trigger when the gun is not up on target. To decock, righties use their thumb (as designed); for lefties, you use your trigger finger. Can't get any safer than that! When I initially touched/felt/fondled a P226 in the mid 80's, I knew that it was 'the one,' but I was inclined to go with the Beretta 92 (because of it's ambidextrous design). I relayed my thoughts on this to the dept's firearms instructor (who also was left handed) and he said go with what feels best/is the most compatible with your hand. Do not let the fact that the pistol is not built for lefties deter you. I bought a P226 and never looked back. |
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Admittedly I’m right-handed, but I don’t see much of an issue. As mo4040 mentioned, the mag release is reversible, or can simply be manipulated with your triggerfinger. (I’m not a big fan of the second option since it puts the mag release on the outside when you’re carrying the pistol, which makes it easier to bump against something and drop the mag.) The slide release on both the Sig and the H&K is on the left side – no difference there. No doubt the decocker on the H&K is easier for a lefty to manipulate. mo4040 mentioned using your triggerfinger to decock, which seems to work well for some folks but not for everybody (I guess due to hand size and dexterity). Regardless, you’re not likely to die in a bloody gunfight because you couldn’t decock fast enough! H&K’s are fine handguns and I’d have no problem carrying one. But IMHO Sig’s are just a bit nicer – better grip, better balance, better triggerpull, and a little slimmer. |
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hey guys, sigs are great. both mo4040 and 199 hit it right on the spot. i've been using sigs for 5 years now. i am left handed and had tried the baretta and ruger p89 even. to me, it doesnt get any better than the sig. my 226 has done me well, using it as my main sidearm when i worked in las vegas as an armed rent a cop for the gaming companies out there in las vegas. i have yet to try the HK's, it has always been a dream! rock on!hy.gif |
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I am left handed also, and Sig is my favorite pistol. I have tried reversing the mag release on other pistols in the past and dont like it. I leave the release stock and push it with my left middle finger, and work the decocker with my trigger finger. I think the Sig is the best of both worlds for a lefty - no safety to deal with, and DA trigger pull for the first round. YMMV. |
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I agree with mo4040 from my very offbeat situation. I'm right handed, left eye dominant- I've known that for years. Last fall I started to practice shooting with my left hand. Damn if my scores didn't go up immediately. So I started shooting less and less right handed until now I'm so pathetic righty I should concentrate more THAT way. My eyes just don't line up now using my right hand. Anyway, by the time I got my Sig P220 early this year I was shooting lefty 95% of the time with no problems manipulating it. Of course, I'm not in competition nor do I rely on my Sig in my line of work- just range time, so consider that. |
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I too am south paw and have been using a Sig 226 9mm for the past year honestits just another tool in the right hand world that you adapt to using left handed I have been shooting right handed configured firearms since I was a kid so this is just second nature hell I dont even know if a left handed gun would even "feel" normal for me good luck on your decision |
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I'm a lefty as well. I've had a Sig P239 for a few months now and love the way I'm able to handle it pretty much exclusively with my trigger finger. Something interesting I thought about when considering whether or not to switch the mag release (which I haven't) was the bolt catch/stop vs. slide-slingshot argument. On any gun that doesn't have an intuitive ambi release, the mag release is going to be on the left side of the frame. Not only do I prefer it there on my Sig as a lefty, but thats where it's going to be on every pistol like it. Makes for little bit of helpful redundancy. |
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I have been a 1911 shooter for all my short life (only 20 right now). Other than the safety issue on pistols without an ambi, it works great for me. I can manipulate the mag release just fine w/ my trigger finger, and I use the same finger to manipulate the slide release, which I find perfect, based on how the pistol fits in my hand. I've been considering something in 9mm for 3gun competition however for the reduced recoil and added capacity, because lets face it, the 45 is a lot of lead to sling around, and being limited to only 7 or 8 rounds with standard mags can be a handicap of sorts. I'd love to have another 1911 in 9mm or 38 super, but finding one that is reliable in those calibers seems to always be pricey, as are Browning HPs which I love as well. That leads me to Glock and Sig. I love the way both feel and function. The only thing I can't do is manipulate the slide release since it's so far to the rear of the pistol. Do you guys who shoot left handed w/ these pistols just rack the slide using your right hand when conducting a reload, or not run your mags dry in high speed situations? Other than that, I feel a G17 or P226 would be a great addition to my collection, just trying to see how well I can use them. |