Need suggestions for my left handed girlfriend.

[IronicOutlook]

Hey everybody, I'm new here and did a search but couldn't find anything that totally covered my questions.

My girlfriend is looking to buy a pistol while it's still legal to

We need some suggestions for concealed carry pistols. Preferred caliber is 9mm so we can save on ammo costs, concealed would be mostly in her purse or glove box when in the car. Preferred price under $400

My girlfriend is so left hand dominant that she only feels comfortable shooting left handed. She can fire a right handed pistol left handed but I generally have to walk her through the cycling process because it feels so counter intuitive to her in her right hand.

This creates a problem to where she doesn't feel safe for concealed carry with a pistol where slide and mag releases are setup for a right hander (as far as reloading or clearing jams is concerned) because it is a time consuming process.

Any suggestions on a lefty vs. Ambi vs. revolver

Also she has small hands, small enough to where the Sig 226 I want feels huge to her, but on the other hand a Ruger LCP is almost to small.

Thanks in advance for any input.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Mike1956]

Gen4 Glock 19, which has a reverse-able mag release.

[Tally XD]

Make sure you always sit to her left

[IronicOutlook]

Can the slide release be switched too?

[rocky]

Have her practice using her trigger or middle finger to release the mag. This can also work for the slide release on some models depending on how heavy the lever feels to operate. I can use almost any RH pistol with my left hand. The only real issue is the safety for speed of getting the gun in play.
Bottom line it's a righty world , adapt.

[macg19]

Make and model aside, I am totally against glove box and purse carry, unless the purse is specifically design for CC. If she insists on carrying/storing in these locations, then she needs something with an ambidextrous safety. Grabbing a Glock or similar under stress without a holster is asking for trouble. Sure, you could store in a holster in either, but IMO will waste precious moments.

[gasmitty]

Can the slide release be switched too?

Nope - "Glock perfection" stopped short of that feature. However, the Smith & Wesson M&P series except the Shield have ambi slide lock levers, and the mag release is reversible.

[high pockets]

Your $400 limit for an ambi pistol is going to make things difficult. My Beretta PX4 Compact is ambi, with ambi slide releases and a mag release that can be changed to the right side. I picked mine up for $489, but that is certainly one to look at.

BTW - I, too, am a lefty.

[Mike1956]

Can the slide release be switched too?

According to Glock, their pistols don't have slide releases. They do have slide locks. The slide is most effectively released by racking it, which can be done with either hand.

[MamaMaria]

The Springfield XD line has dual/ambi mag releases. Although, even though I'm a righty, I find myself using my middle finger to use the "lefty's" mag release, since my hand is on the smallish side. Your GF may find using this method more comfortable with a female sized hand, making a lefthanded mag release unnecessary, since she may find it easier to hit it with her middle finger. With regard to the slide stop, I asked my hubby (left handed) how he does it; he sling-shots to chamber a round (which, incidentally, I do as well; the XD's I own have REALLY hard slide stops, or my thumb's too weak, lol).

Whatever choice your GF makes, there are workarounds for lefties. The mag release being the easiest to adjust to, the slide release vs. "sling-shotting" the next easiest to overcome. Unless the pistol she chooses already comes with a ambi thumb safety, I think it would be a better choice to forgo pistols with a thumb safety altogether. Whatever the choice, practice and training will make for more confidence and natural movement in "running the gun."

[atctimmy]

Glock 19 or M&P9. Nuff said.

[Ranger305]

FWIW, the Bersa 9UC has ambidextrous controls for the slide release and safety/decocker. The mag release can be switched easily.

[pfries]

According to Glock, their pistols don't have slide releases. They do have slide locks. The slide is most effectively released by racking it, which can be done with either hand.

IMHO This is the best way to train as well, not all semi-autos have overly "functional" slide releases.

[MamaMaria]

Glock 19 or M&P9. Nuff said.

Or XD ;) (A wee smaller in the grip IMO, with built in ambi mag releases, no installation required). They're all great all-around choices for anyone, just might have to expand the gun budget past $400, though.

[IronicOutlook]

I'm trying to talk her into a gun with no external safety.

We will look at the XD's for sure.

She has reasons for glove box/purse carry, mostly work won't allow it in the building/partly fashion choices on days off. I'd prefer she carry on the body but at this point that's what she's leaning towards.

I sent her the link for the flash bang holster and we will be looking at their whole line up after she gets off work tonight.

Any purse she owns she can easily modify with a molle system or something to hold a holster in an easy to reach place in the purse so it won't get buried under receipts and gum wrappers.