Lefty and 1911's

[orangeusa]

I have avoided 1911s since I prefer DA/SA. No hate please, they work well for me. Beretta 92s and Ruger P series work great.

A buddy sold me an RIA Tactical for a very fair price - barely used.

As.a lefty the mag release un modified is fine. Ambi safety. Its still in jail, but I had a heck of a time with the mag release. Which is curious since Ive had Brownings, Berettas and Rugers.with a similiar slide release. Am I missing something here?

When I get the gun, this might be a nonevent.

Any lefties or folks with ideas?

[Cyc Wid It]

Generally best to use your trigger finger and make it work. Some makers produce quasi-right side mag releases (or right side mag catch w/e), but the good ones require a decent amount of smithing. If you were to truly create a right side mag release, you'd need to modify all your mags.

This is an example of a right side mag catch. I do not endorse or use this product, but it was an example I found quickly on Google.

http://nictaylor00.blogspot.com/2013/04/1911-ambidextrous-magazine-realease.html

[Renaissance Redneck]

I've simply trained myself to use my left index or middle finger to release the mag. Not ideal, but it works well for me. And, I never use the slide release; I ALWAYS yank back on the slide and let it fly.

[orangeusa]

Generally best to use your trigger finger and make it work. Some makers produce quasi-right side mag releases (or right side mag catch w/e), but the good ones require a decent amount of smithing. If you were to truly create a right side mag release, you'd need to modify all your mags.

This is an example of a right side mag catch. I do not endorse or use this product, but it was an example I found quickly on Google.

http://nictaylor00.blogspot.com/2013...-realease.html

I have no problems dumping mags with trigger finger. I think Im faster than most. And same with slide release, but I couldnt make this one work in the few minutes I had. Remember, the Browning Hi-Power slide release is almost the same, and I have no problems with that.

Is there a catch or mag disconnect or something I'm missing here?

[Cyc Wid It]

Whoops, I see you meant the slide stop (it's not a slide release! ) and not the magazine release? If so, Renaissance Redneck has it right.

If the slide wouldn't release... did you have an empty magazine in it? It's supposed to work that way with an empty mag.

[orangeusa]

I've simply trained myself to use my left index or middle finger to release the mag. Not ideal, but it works well for me. And, I never use the slide release; I ALWAYS yank back on the slide and let it fly.

Yeah same here. I did try pulling the slide back but it didnt work in this case. This gun has very few rounds through it and was very tight. The guy at gun shop released the slide easily, hes a gunsmith tho...

[orangeusa]

Whoops, I see you meant the slide stop (it's not a slide release! )? If so, Renaissance Redneck has it right.

If the slide wouldn't release... did you have an empty magazine in it?

I never get that right. I did say slide but ... okay you got me. Ive been saying slide release for a long time...

I get the gun in a few days. Im kinda wondering if it has a mag disconnect... hopefully that was the problem....

[Cyc Wid It]

It's 1911 design.

An empty mag allows the magazine follower to lift the slide stop into position to lock the slide open. When you attempt to depress the slide stop, you are trying to depress the magazine spring too.

A loaded magazine depresses the slide stop to a position where it cannot contact the slide stop and releasing the slide stop only requires a small amount of pressure. (BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN TESTING THIS if you think there's an issue with the gun, or ideally use a snapcap).

In general, it's best to avoid dropping the slide on an empty chamber as it can negatively affect sear geometry etc. This is probably the only time you should "ride" the slide forward.

[orangeusa]

It's 1911 design.

An empty mag allows the magazine follower to lift the slide stop into position to lock the slide open. When you attempt to depress the slide stop, you are trying to depress the magazine spring too.

A loaded magazine depresses the slide stop to a position where it cannot contact the slide stop and releasing the slide stop only requires a small amount of pressure. (BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN TESTING THIS, or ideally use a snapcap).

In general, it's best to avoid dropping the slide on an empty chamber as it can negatively affect sear geometry etc. This is probably the only time you should "ride" the slide forward.

Makes complete sense. Thats why I posted. I really didnt do my homework before I bought this gun. The gunshop smith blamed it on me being a lefty. Remember you have like a handful of minutes to inspect a gun during a PPT.

Thanks - I clearly need to get acquainted to the gun.

.

[Cyc Wid It]

It's a fun and purpose built platform - you can detail strip it fully with no tools. There's a lot of good literature out there if you want to read up on some more technical details. Kuhnhausen's books are probably the most famous and a good starting point. Plenty of Youtube videos too.

[ojisan]

While I am a righty, my right wrist was badly broken years ago and sometimes I can't use my right hand for as long as a couple weeks.
So, I do practice with my left hand often.
The 1911 actually works well left handed, as long as you have an ambi safety.
I find that the mag release is easier to reach with my left trigger finger than my right hand thumb, which requires me to change my grip to reach it.
The slide stop should not be that hard to get used to, and should get easier to release as the gun breaks-in.

I've wondered if a 1911, built for right handers, should have had the SS and mag release on the right side.

[orangeusa]

Hahaha

I never understood the mag release. I went to two tactical pistol classes and can dump a mag as fast as anybody. I cant shoot as well tho...
Slide stop took me a while, but on Berettas, Rugers and highpowers, easy to release, a slight hassle to push up to engage....

Im not complaining. The only gun I cant easily use is a right handed bolt action.

.

[ojisan]

My guess is the mag release is on the left so right-handed shooters don't press it accidentally.
Depending on your hand shape, you will not likely want an extended mag release on the left side...standard height or maybe a little lower will probably work best for a lefty.

[orangeusa]

I figure if I can't master a gun stock, then its not for me. I don't mod them for being a lefty. Main reason is if someone loans me a gun at a range. Same reason I golf with right hand clubs.. poorly...

By master, I mean manipulate the controls. Not about shooting well. My eyes are the waek point in my shooting over 15 yards..... Sad.

.

[kmca]

My guess is the mag release is on the left so right-handed shooters don't press it accidentally.
Depending on your hand shape, you will not likely want an extended mag release on the left side...standard height or maybe a little lower will probably work best for a lefty.

Actually, an extended release isn't that bad. It extends between the index and the middle fingers. An oversize release is problem though.

BTW, wasn't Browning left handed?