Do any of you lefties shoot a right hand AR 15? Any issues with handling, loading, brass in the face, etc. Thinking of picking one up locally. I know that Stag Arms makes a left hand version, but it would have to be ordered or bought online.

I have shot ARs for over thirty years; the worst part of shooting standard ARs was the threat of a scalding hot case being flung down the top of my shirt and burning my neck.

Once the brass deflector became standard on the receiver, the worst was over.

You can learn to manipulate the RH controls simply enough with a few days' practice.

I would just order the Stag online (the prices tend to be better, anyway), have it shipped to a local FFL and enjoy yourself.

George

I'm a lefty, and I shoot a RH AR-15 in National Match Competition. I have no real problems or issues with using the standard RH rifle. I also shoot an M1 in the John C. Garand matches. Quickly loading a Garand left-handed takes a bit of practice, but it can be done.

My advice is don't waste the extra money needed to get a LH AR-15. A standard RH one will be cheaper, and it will be easier to sell if you ever decide to get rid of it.

Regards,
Bill.

I have both left and right handed ARs and like George says as long as the righties have the case deflectors, there's no difference.

i have shot standard ar-15's and m-16's for the past 35 years. a good pair of glasses and a boonie hat takes care of any brass problems. the controls are second nature, i would have to relearn everything with a left handed gun. i never got comfortable with a left handed 45 or double action revolver , either. an old dog with old habits i guess.

I thought also about the resale issue although since I don't own one yet it's hard to think about selling it. I only sell rifles I no longer have use for, or ones that aren't accurate or jam, etc.. I don't expect those problems with the AR.

I would also like to give the local shop my business if possible.

BTW, does anyone use the .308 version instead of .223?

What brands do you guys shoot? Stag, Bushmaster?

Hated seeing that ejection port staring me right in the face when I owned a Bushmaster so it was sold and bought a Stag.

I like my LH Stags. Price difference from Stag wasn't that much. For the price, the Stag is a nice unit. I'd buy another (oh wait, I already did...).

All my lowers are RH, but I would like to add a Stag upper or two (preferably the 3HL).

Does anyone have a source that discounts the MSRP?

George

hey j-po,

i have a dpms 308 version. right hand gun/ left hand safety -- left hand shooter. it loves federal gold medal ammo. my 223 versions are assorted to say the least.

max

I have both a RRA Predator pursuit and an Armalite AR-10 (.308). No problems with either being RH.

Guys,

On the left handed STAGS all the lowers are identical to the right handed lowers. All the controls are in the same places.

George,

Pete at http://ar15sales.com/ has the uppers for under MSRP, I've bought a lot of stuff from him, he's honest.

Thanks for all the great info. I will update when a decision is made.

Please forgive my ignorance about AR's as this will be my first "black gun". Can one lower be bought and two different uppers/barrels as to be able to shoot two calibers?

quote:

Originally posted by J-Po:
Can one lower be bought and two different uppers/barrels as to be able to shoot two calibers?

Yes, within the limits of the lower design (in other words, an upper firing .308Win. cannot be used in conjunction with a lower designed for 5.56 NATO.

However, there are uppers for rounds like .204 Ruger, 6x45, 5.45x39, .300 Whisper, 7.62x39, .223 WSSM, .243 WSSM,.25 WSSM, all of which fit on a lower desgined for the 5.56 NATO.

George

Thanks George, seems like the 5.56 is the place to start.

and for the big-bore enthuiast..... .458 socom or .50 beowulf...

And the .450 Bushmaster.

There is also the 6.5 Grendel and Lord only knows how many others.

George

quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeS:
And the .450 Bushmaster.

There is also the 6.5 Grendel and Lord only knows how many others.

George

50 BMG single shot

A friend of mine has a lefty Stag 2T-L. The only problem is the ejection door needs to have a small radius Dremeled into it to clear the DPMS tactical bolt release (two finger pads) if you use one, and a double-paddle charging handle made by Sherluk is just a red hair too large to clear the forward assist. He took it out and sold it to me for its gunshow price of thirty bucks. It's available on the Sherluk website for $29.95 as Item Number 15ucChtl, named "Charging Handle w/Tactical Latch."



http://www.sherluk.com/m16c.php

Contact Sherluk at (419) 923-8011.

Sherluk was at the latest Hilton show in Reno a week or so ago. They have the most awesome uppers. Have you ever seen a barrel with a helical fluting job and integral muzzle brake? Sherluk has 'em. You'd have to see one to believe the quality. Looks like nothin' else you'll see anywhere. Totally unique...

I am an AR manufacture and own 4 of my own in Full and semi auto. I have built LH for customers but all of mine are RH. If you plan to shoot suppressed ARs wear wrap around glasses for all the blow back from the can. Hell I don't even use ambi safeties. I started shooting them in the 80's when there was no option.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
50 BMG single shot

Frank wins!

George
P.S. Please note the emoticon is a lefty.

I shoot LH and all my ARs are right hand. Never a problem until I obtained a Bushmaster Carbon 15 lightweight rifle. I was struck in the right cheek by the first cartridge case. I talked to the head gunsmith at Bushmaster today and he suggested cutting off two coils from the ejector spring. We'll see how it works.

quote:

Originally posted by Vol717:
I shoot LH and all my ARs are right hand. Never a problem until I obtained a Bushmaster Carbon 15 lightweight rifle. I was struck in the right cheek by the first cartridge case.

Does the Carbon 15 not have a case deflector, or is it not adequate?

quote:

I talked to the head gunsmith at Bushmaster today and he suggested cutting off two coils from the ejector spring. We'll see how it works.

I've seen this fix posted elsewhere; the proviso that you have a spare ejector spring (in case you FUBAR it ) is always added.

George

Decided on a right handed S&W M&P 15. Picked up on Labor Day, not shot yet. Thanks for everyones imput. I'll let you know if I take a case to the cheek.

I am a lefty. I qualified Expert with an M-16A1 in 1971. The only problem I had was shooting "from the post", a position that you lean into a post from a sitting position. The brass would careen off of the post and onto my neck (or down my collar, if I didn't keep the top button done up). I simply backed off of the post and used my hand for a rest, end of problem. I shoot AR-15's now, occasionally competetively, they are regular old right hand models, I don't feel at any disadvantage with a right hand AR. I do feel disadvantaged with a right hand bolt gun though.

quote:

Originally posted by J-Po:
Decided on a right handed S&W M&P 15. Picked up on Labor Day, not shot yet. Thanks for everyones imput. I'll let you know if I take a case to the cheek.

You should be pleased I just bought an M&P 15 MOE a couple months ago. It is the 3rd AR I have owned and I love it. I shoot lefty bty.

AZ Pete, agreed on the bolt guns. I have 3 and all are left hand. Also glad to hear that the RH AR's work well for lefties in almost all situations. Thanks again for all of the feedback and opinions.