Recommendations please for first handgun for a lefty

[cz2075bd]

Hi, I'm going to help my brother shop for his first handgun, probably starting at a major gunshow this weekend, just to get some "how does it feel in your hands" experience for any brand under the sun. Then on to a range to rent some of the better options. Then eventually shop around and buy the best one.

The only catch is he is a lefty. I am not so I don't really think about this, but what semiauto pistols are better for a lefty? I guess the factors are whether the safety and/or decocker, and mag release are reversible or ambidextrous. What about takedown lever, does that really matter? Any other considerations? (Lefty holster availability).

Other consideration is that his wife is right handed, so an ambidexterous platform would probably be best so that she can use it too.

Open to all recommendations.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Seraph]

S&W M&P seems like a good candidate.

[C hawk Glock]

M&P for sure

[RoadRunner71]

I am a lefty and I do think about these things.

The primary concern that I have when shopping for a new firearm is whether or not it can be operated with either hand. I personally like Glock for this reason. There is no manual safety lever to deal with and the mag release is actually easier for a lefty to actuate than a righty.

I also like the Sig lines as well. Mag releases and safety/decocker levers are easily reached with the left fore finger. The slide release is a bit more challenging, but I usually use and over hand slide grasp for reloads. It can be managed with the fore finger, but not without changing your grip.

Other than that, look for the same things you would for yourself.

Good luck!

[ccw9mm]

Left-hander, here.

To my way of thinking, a lefty-friendly gun is where the controls are easily reachable and can be easily manipulated by the left hand fingers. That either means a gun with sufficiently large and easy-to-use controls where you learn to use them no matter where they are, or a gun with controls flipped to the other side for lefties. As a lefty, I've used both and don't really care which one I shoot. The one thing I can't deal with is a semi-auto pistol where my fingers simply can't reach or can't manipulate the controls. Everything else, I feel is fairly "lefty friendly," even though the controls might not be flipped onto the right-hand (lefty) side.

My first firearm was a Browning BDM 9mm pistol. With a large, easy-to-use decocker/safety lever that was ambidextrous, the gun was simple to operate with either hand. The gun isn't made any longer, but Heckler & Koch has the ambidextrous thing down pat, these days.

If really looking for a lefty-friendly semi-auto pistol, check out Heckler & Koch's P2000, P2000SK (compact), P30, USP, USP Compact pistols. The P2000 series has an ambidextrous slide release, no external manual safety lever or decocker. The USP's come in a variety of flavors, but the controls can be switched to the other side if you choose. Extremely well made, reliable, accurate. Available in 9mm, .357 SIG, .40 and .45, depending on the model.

For several years, I had a CZ P-01 9mm pistol. It's a SA/DA action, with decocker lever on the left side. All the controls are large and easy to manipulate. Even being lefty, I found each lever to be simple to use with the finger of my left hand, and when shooting righty everything was accessible with the right thumb.

IMO, it essentially depends on your hand and whether you've long since adapted your shooting to accommodate right-handed pistols. So long as a pistol has larger, easy-to-manipulate controls, I think it's reasonably simple to use as a lefty. That's assuming your fingers can reach the controls easily. Many lefties report easily being able to use the Glock 19, various SIG pistols, and other similar models that have puny, hard-to-reach (for me) controls. It all depends on you and your preferences.

That being said, I simply love certain pistols for their ergonomics and great feel in the hand, which also includes the ability to reach and operate the controls (of course). If looking for a new pistol that multiple people are going to use, I would also consider the Kahr K9, P9, CW9 pistols. The K9, in particular, is extremely well made with great ergonomics. Or, the CZ 75 series (including the PCR D Compact and the P-01). Each is excellent, assuming you both can reach the controls, since it's a bit larger frame. You have the 2075 RAMI and SP01, so you know what I mean about the CZ's. If you require ambi controls, consider the H&K pistols. All are exceptional.

[MattInFla]

M&P - mag release is user-switchable to the right side of the frame in moments.

Matt

[C hawk Glock]

I am a lefty and I do think about these things.

The primary concern that I have when shopping for a new firearm is whether or not it can be operated with either hand. I personally like Glock for this reason. There is no manual safety lever to deal with and the mag release is actually easier for a lefty to actuate than a righty.

I also like the Sig lines as well. Mag releases and safety/decocker levers are easily reached with the left fore finger. The slide release is a bit more challenging, but I usually use and over hand slide grasp for reloads. It can be managed with the fore finger, but not without changing your grip.

Other than that, look for the same things you would for yourself.

Good luck!

It's funny because I shy away from Sig's with decockers as many of their models are not lefty friendly in my book!

[mill419]

I vote for a Walther P99 or PPS. They both have an ambidextrous mag release. No need to switch mag release buttons at all.
Comfortable grip, reliable and Walther quality!

Just my $.02

[nobody]

Ruger sr9 and sr9c both fully ambidextrous.

[AzB]

FNH FNX 9, 40 or 45, depending on your preference of caliber.

I shoot with both hands and really enjoy the full ambidextrous controls. Safety/decocker, slide release and mag release are on both sides and well designed.

[OldVet]

The mag release isn't as big a deal for lefties as hyped. Just press it with the forefinger. My CZ-82 has ambi-safety and mag release, and I find it easier to use my finger than the thumb for the mag button (I'm a rightie).
The Gen 4 Glocks have a reverseable mag release, although that wouldn't work if both rightie and leftie want to use it.

[Old School]

I am right handed however I do a fair amount of shooting with the left or off hand. My duty weapon is a Glock 21 SF. It has an ambi mag release and since I never use the slide release it is not an issue. Slide releases can be missed or fumbled under stress so I prefer to rack the slide every time. It is a bit on the large and heavy side so it's not good for small hands and if the gun you are buying is intended for concealed carry it may be a bit large but it would be great for open carry. If you think the .45 is not the way to go the Glock 19 is always worth a look as is the Ruger SR 9 both in 9mm.

[cmdrdredd]

I'm going to recommend an M&P because the 1911 doesn't have a reversable mag release if I'm not mistaken and the Gen4 Glocks do, but I do not trust the Gen 4 models at the moment.

[hayzor]

Springfield XD - great for a lefty or righty.

[Squidbert]

Being a lefty, I was pleased that my first gun (Springfield XD-9) had mag releases on both sides of the gun. I recently purchased a Smith Wesson M&P9c and it's also lefty friendly. The slide lock/release can be manipulated from both sides of the gun. The mag release is reversible too, but I switched mine back for right hand operation as I've become accustomed to using my left index finger for mag releases. FN pistols also could be a good consideration, as previously stated.