Not quite the typical left hand right hand shooting question

Discussion in 'Firearms' started by Grape Ape, Feb 3, 2011.


  1. Grape Ape

    Grape Ape Monkey+

    Im almost ambidexterous but left eye dom. I shoot with both hands.
    I find in most situations left hand shooting is easier but right handed is just as good. From you law enforcement/military types... do they make everybody conform to right handed shooting or is there left and right handed guns in these professional groups ?? is there any real disadvantage to the left hand shooter ??
     
  2. griffin1340

    griffin1340 Monkey+++

    I am a left handed shooter. I trained myself to shoot right handed not because I had to but because I saw a point in being more flexible in my shooting. I actually find myself a more accurate right handed shooter, I think because I concentrate more on the shot.
    When I was in the Army the only thing that I was taught to shoot 'right only' was the M60 MG and a few missile launchers.
    The M16 is pretty lefty friendly. Now some civilian guns are not to lefty friendly...but not many. .
    I see the advantage to being an ambidextrous shooter to be pretty obvious. In a situation of shooting 'weak hand' vs. a shooting position that exposes too much of your body from view or to return fire I choose to remain in cover.
     
  3. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Beretta is coming out with a high tech carbine that has an ambidextrous bolt, ejection port, and magazine release. I think it is called the ARX160. It's pretty cool. Quick barrel change, like...3 seconds. Retract bolt, use catch, flip charging lever through center and you have opposite charging. Depress a button and you have alternate port ejection. Will it flop? I doubt it. Will it be made for civilian use within the next 3 years? Possibly. It's currently on GOV contract alone. And it uses AR mags for the win.

    YouTube - Nutnfancy SHOT Show 2011: Beretta Set to Embarrass ACR!
    Skip to 17:30 for the ARX160
     
  4. Hispeedal2

    Hispeedal2 Nay Sayer

    No, the military does not make you conform. In fact a few more lefties is complementary in terms of security. Certain aspects of the weapons can be changed to feed differently. For instance, the mag catch on the M9. We are still far from fully ambi weapons. There are a few out there. The FS2000 for example ejects south and should be nearly 100% ambi. Several handguns on the market are fully ambi.

    Weak hand shooting is practiced, or at least it was where I come from. It's an important skill. It's not necessary to be completely ambidextrous, but it is important to at least be familiar with shooting from the off hand. Appendages get damaged. That is an indisputable fact.
     
  5. Hispeedal2

    Hispeedal2 Nay Sayer


    Off topic, but I like the Neos kit in that vid. I keep trying to fill that packable/capable .22 rimfire niche and I think that Neos kit might do it. Thanks Brokor.... one more thing to research in that sea of topics of mine ;)

    ETA: if the Beretta carbine really weighs 6lbs, it will embarrass the ACR. The ACR was promising, but it's nowhere near it's original intent.
     
  6. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Yeah, I like the Neos also. And you are right on the money about the ACR.
     
  7. mysterymet

    mysterymet Monkey+++

    I want one of those berettas!
     
  8. Disciple

    Disciple Monkey+

    I am comfortable shooting with either hand, If I'm shooting my pistol its in my left but if I shoot the rifle its on my right shoulder, I have not shot a rifle built for lefty's and I know of one manufacturer for them in an ar configuration being Stag arms.
     
  9. fedorthedog

    fedorthedog Monkey+++

    The new thing for all shooter is both eyes open this eliminates the eye dominance issue. At first I found it a little difficult but like anything you get used to it. Yes it works with Eotech type sights bu I still can do it with a scoped rifle.
     
  10. Lit 1911

    Lit 1911 Monkey+

    Im right handed but train with my left hand also,just in case.Oh,and a 1911 is the ultimate ambidextrous pistol.With a little practice its no problem releasing the mag with your middle finger if your left handed.
     
  11. Wolfgang2000

    Wolfgang2000 Monkey++

    Neither the US army or during the time I spent as a LEO (28 years 2 Dept's) was I forced to carry right handed. Qualification usually requires both strong and weak hand shooting. How much depends on the state you are in.

    I will say some guns force a lefty to shoot right handed. Most bull pups, the M60 machine gun, even the M16A1 could be hazardous. You haven't lived till you had a piece of 5.56 brass fused to your neck. I always came off the range with my right cheek black from the brass hitting it. The faster you shot the worst it was. I was very happy when they put the brass deflector on the M16 upper.

    Yes I'm that old, I even remember when M16's didn't have the forward assist. :oops:
     
  12. tacmotusn

    tacmotusn RIP 1/13/21

    Welcome to the club. When I joined the Navy we had Browning .30cal lt machineguns, BAR rifles. M1 carbines, 50cal M2, Browning square back semi auto 12ga shotguns, Ithaca M37 pump riotguns, M1 Garands...... no M-14's or M16's at that time. Ah the good olde days.(y)I ain't embarrassed, hell, I am proud to have survived this long.
     
  13. Wild Trapper

    Wild Trapper Pirate Biker

    First ship I was on had all those and you're right no M-14 or M16s to my knowledge. (I wasn't a GM). About half way through my enlistment, I got transfered to a patrol gunboat. We did have some of the older types, but we skipped the M14 and went straight to the M16s. We got to play a lot with guns.

    Back on topic. I am left eye dominate but right handed. I try to shoot left handed some just to do it, but mostly it is kind of funny to keep both eyes opened and hold a pistol in my right hand and close my left eye to find the sights jump out of line because I was aiming with my left.
     
  14. Lit 1911

    Lit 1911 Monkey+

    I saw a police woman the other day carrying a right-hand-spec Glock on her left side.
     
  15. Wolfgang2000

    Wolfgang2000 Monkey++

    I agree with I keep telling these "young folks" growing old isn't for wusses.
     
  16. Wolfgang2000

    Wolfgang2000 Monkey++

    Is there a left handed spec Glock?
     
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