Newbie left hander

[mike kays]

I'm looking to purchase my first pistol. I am left handed, and after reading many good things about the CZ 85B I was looking for one. Unfortunately they are few and far between.
I have also heard from some that get used to a right handed pistol/adapt.

I was at River city yesterday and met a really nice guy, turns out he is a CalGun regular, who used to work at river city guns. He was very helpful in talking to me about pistols in general.

Anyway I handled several pistols, and the salesman at RC was also very helpful.

My criteria is left hand friendly, 40 S&W or 9mm, under $600 out the door.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[41M]

The lack of an ambi safety on those pistols that have a safety/decocker is a minor inconvenience when using any of those pistols, but as a left-handed shooter it is not going to stop me from puchasing such a pistol. As far as slide lock manipulation and magazine release I learned to use my left index finger. For slide lock manipulation I keep the index finger straight and apply upward pressure as a pull the slide to the rear. For my Glock 17 I switched out the slide lock for one of the extended versions, a very inexpensive upgrade. On the SIGs, with slide lock to the rear of the decocker, I do end up switching the pistol to my right hand if I am going to lock the slide to the rear and do not have a magazine inserted, but that has not kept me from owning them.

[Fjold]

Welcome. As a fellow lefty the only thing that I'm particular about is if the gun has a manual safety that it is ambidextrous or capable of being moved to the correct side. Everything else, I can work around.

[GUNFREAK]

I'm also a lefty. I just learned to operate all my firearms with their standard features. I bought the Glock Gen4 thinking I would like being able to switch the mag release to the other side for lefties, nope. I changed it back. I figure the best ambidextrous feature I should have is myself.

But if you must have ambi features, check out the Smith & Wesson M&P line. They have ambi mag release and slide release.

[appagohm]

Rugar p95, ami mag release, ami safty. 400 dollars new. can't go wrong.

[Woodworker2]

Left handed pistols:

1. CZ75B in .40 S&W (ambi safety, but not ambi slide release like the CZ85).
2. All of the Tanfoglio line (EAA Witness, etc.) can be converted to ambi for about $75
3. Beretta 92
4. Several of the HK USP (more than your price range)
5. Some 1911's (mainly 9mm, maybe outside your price range)
6. Some FNP

[DasBoost]

M&P may be just outside your OTD budget, but you have ambi safety, ambi slide release/lock, and can switch the mag release to either side. My M&P45 has mag release on right side for me, took all of 5 mins. Very flexible design in terms of customizing to a shooter's needs. Best of luck!

[GrayWolf09]

Most left-handers are pretty adept at operating things designed for righties. Although both my Savage bolt guns are left handed I can also operate a right handed bolt gun just about as fast.

Most pistol makers these days are sensitive to lefty shooters. But if you are buying a used gun it pays to try it out first. My buddy had a 1911 that would eject the brass right over a lefty's head. It was a bit disconcerting to see hot brass heading toward your face. I also have the trace of a scar on my right forearm from one of the early M-16s where a piece of hot brass burned me.

[TheDeej]

I'm also a lefty and have looked at many handguns lately and I have recently been leaning towards a beretta (cougar or PX4) for the ambi safety/decocker and ambi mag release. Just slingshot the slide and you're gtg.

[CWUSCG]

Lefty also. I'd strongly recommend the Smith & Wesson M&P. It really is a no-brainer of a pistol, everything is ambidextrous and shoots really really well. Another cool thing is they have different size grip inserts, for lager or smaller hands. I have a 9mm and I love it.

[Trojans]

Lefty too. Try the ruger SR9

[DasBoost]

Lefty too. Try the ruger SR9

Just rented this today; great pistol, mag release on both sides, just no slide lock on the right side. Good ergonomics, easy to shoot, just didn't like the Glock-esque 'pre-trigger'. Great price and seemed sturdy and well-built.

[SideWinder11]

I bought the SR9 because I am a lefty. Ambi safety and ambi mag release.

Perfect gun for lefty's

[Spaceghost]

As a lefty, I prefer glocks. I just use my index finger for the mag release and everything is kosher. If am doing a class and have to clear a type three malfunction, I quickly switch hands and clear the malfunction. No problem. Of course I have set up that type three malfunction because it never happens on the line...

[Southpaw45]

In one word..... "GLOCK" Just pick it up and shoot!!