One in ten gun owners could benefit from shooting with left-handed guns, but they represent a fraction of the primary and secondary firearms market. While some long guns are made as mirrors of their more common counterparts, true left-handed pistols are almost unheard of. That doesn’t mean shooting options aren’t available, and Pennsylvania’s Largest Gun Show is a great place to find guns that will be more comfortable for you while hunting, training, or in self-defense situations.
Lefties Have Rights Too!
This phrase, of uncertain origin, takes on a new meaning when we’re talking about the United States Constitution. Every left-handed person has been told about the historical discrimination faced from both secular and religious authorities. Even today, left-handed kids are taught to right and function with their right hands to “fit in,” adapt to a righty-dominated world, or save the expense of buying left-handed versions of common tools and accessories, like scissors. For gun owners, the quest for left-handed guns is no less isolating, frustrating, or expensive.
What’s the Big Deal?
If you’re a righty reading this, good job for hearing us out, but you may also be wondering why it matters. Imagine aiming your weapon of choice right now–handgun or long gun. Now, in order to rack a new round in with the bolt or charging handle, engage or disengage the safety, or even drop a magazine out, you have to remove your shooting hand from the gun, maintaining full control with your support hand, in order to actuate the control. If you’re shooting a semi-automatic, every ejected round either moves across your field of vision or, depending on the model, across and back toward you.
Why Aren’t There More Left-Handed Guns?
The short answer is money. Firearms manufacturers can make right-handed guns that are perfect for 90% of their potential market, and the remaining 10% of the market is comprised of left-handed shooters who are used to having to adapt. There just isn’t justification for a wide variety of guns designed exclusively for left-handers.
While some parts will be interchangeable between right-handed and left-handed gun variants of a firearm, many won’t. They’ll require different dies, jigs, and tools for the manufacturing machines, as well as specially coded instructions that “flip” how the machining process works. In order to make, for example, a semi-automatic left-handed handgun, rather than just changing the slide, an entire retooling of the factory line is needed. There just isn’t profit in that level of market adaptation.
What to Look for in Guns for Left-Handed Shooters
Ambidextrous Use – Ambidextrous features make it easier to use an otherwise right-handed gun with either hand. While not a true left-handed gun, charging handles may be relocated, magazine releases operate on either side, and other control features, like slide locks, safeties, and decocking levers, are found on both sides of the weapon.
Mirrored Design – A true left-handed firearm, this design is the same as right-handed models but completely flipped. This can mean left-facing ejection ports, bolts, and more. While these can be far more efficient for left-handed shooters in the long run, there can be a learning curve with left-handed pistols and rifles if their more common righty versions are all you’ve ever used.
Adaptive Customization Options – If you can’t buy it, then build it yourself. Aftermarket gun parts and accessories can go a long way toward upgrading a “normal” firearm into a left-handed friendly gun. This may include installing new springs, levers, or features that let you use the gun you love the way that’s best for you.
Our Picks for Best Left-Handed Gun Options
Pistols
CZ P07 9mm or .40 S&W – One of the most versatile ambidextrous designs straight out of the box, the P07 offers plenty of features at a solid price point. The ambidextrous safety is also a decocking lever, the slide release can be actuated with either a thumb or hand, and the magazine catch can be released from either side of the gun.
Glock Pistols – The Glock platform is extremely popular, leading to a rich third-party upgrade market that gives left-handed gun owners plenty of fine-tuning options for their shooting experience. Your best bet is to choose one of the two “originals,” either the full-size G17 or compact G19. With several decades of history, they give you the best chance of finding the right pistol and parts combination without extensive gunsmithing.
Revolvers
Charter Arms Southpaw .38 Spl – Revolvers are notoriously unfriendly for lefties, despite not ejecting rounds across your body and sight picture. This is largely due to the cylinder release and pivot motion being situated on the left-hand side. The Southpaw is cheap enough to land in the “budget revolver” price range while also being the first mass-produced left-handed wheel gun.
Shotguns
Winchester SX4 12 Guage – If you’ve tried to shoot a semi-auto shotgun left-handed, you’ve likely had the “delightful experience” of powder and detritus smacking you in the face. The SX4 is available in a left-handed gun that mirrors the normal version, letting you down your ducks in peace.
Rifles
Ruger 10/22 .22LR – Ruger is one of the best manufacturers about opening up their long guns for left-hand designs. The 10/22 is a mirrored version of their most popular gun, giving you the perfect left-handed range plinker and varmint gun.
Rock River LEF-T .223 or 5.56mm – The LEF-T is one of the few left-handed AR variants out there, and it just so happens to be from a gun maker known for making some damn good AR rifles and carbines. Best of all, instead of confining the mirroring to a single variant, they’ve opened it up to some of their most popular designs.
Old-School Cool
Coach Guns – These side-by-side rifles and shotguns remain popular left-handed guns because versions from multiple manufacturers are nearly completely symmetrical in design, featuring hammers and triggers sitting side by side and a centered aiming sight or bead.
Lever Action – The original tactical rifle, most lever-action guns eject to the right but otherwise feature left-hand friendly features for easy loading, cocking, and firing. You can find new and used versions of both rifle and carbine lengths readily available at most price points. There are also lever-action pistols like Heritage Arms 92 Ranch Hand and newer tactical evolutions such as the POF Tombstone.
Get the Right Left-Handed Gun for You
Our local gun shows give you a wider selection of firearms than your local sporting goods store could hope to offer. Check our gun show calendar, do your research, and get ready to make a deal. Order your tickets online to an Eagle Shows Gun Show near you today.
