View Full Version : LEFTIES: Your prayers have been answered!!!
Left handed Noveske rifles! No longer do lefties need to settle for plinker-grade guns.
http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/191552000/191552476/pix720636162.jpg
lethal dose
09-23-10, 18:16
My left handed friend has the lefty stag... he actually finds it much easier to manipulate the right handed ar-15s.
while I am a lefty.. the only thing that looks diff is the ejector port on the left side, so no real big changes. now when ambi charging handles become standard then maybe I'll start investing in Ar's
As a lefty I'll pass. All of my AR series firesrms get ambi safeties, Norgon till I get the rest of Troy mag releases in, and BCM charging handles, which work great for lefties. If you want a quality ambi AR try out the KAC SR-15. The ejection port has never bothered me. I know my issued AR's for both the military and sheriffs department won't go for that. While on deployment I replaced the mag catch and selector on my issued weapon and have done the same at work.
I'm a lefty and the proud owner of two Noveske complete rifles. While I commend them for doing this (and it's about time a high-end shop did), I will say I've gotten so used to standard ARs that I have no interest in specialty lefty guns.
That said, for shooters who will be shooting their own gun all the time (no problems getting used to lefty controls), what a great addition to the lineup. Giving lefties a dedicated option that isn't just an ambi selector and/or mag release is great. I'm glad some lefties won't have to have brass ejecting in their face. Well done, Noveske.
Mr. Goodtimes
09-23-10, 20:55
I'm a lefty and I'll pass. I've never had a problem with right handed AR's. I would prefer a right handed one anyway for parts compatability.
Robb Jensen
09-23-10, 21:00
The lefty issue is with the lower.
The lefty issue is with the lower.
This.
With a solid mag release solution (such as the KAC lower), an ambi safety, and an oversized charging handle latch you are pretty much there. I've gotten used to the chamber opening on the right hand side. Very easy to check the status of the weapon while it's mounted on the left shoulder.
Robb Jensen
09-23-10, 21:11
The lefty issue is with the lower. A2+ uppers are easily configured with a left charging handle latch to work for leftys. It doesn't matter what side the ejection port is on. And I say this because I'm a left eye dominant right handed shooter and shot all long guns left handed for a whole year to get really good at it. I still shoot precision rifles this way.
Perhaps I'm ignorant and can be enlightened. Why?
I'm asking based on the following facts.
*I spent my short, 4yr infantry career shooting left-handed without problems, and I had no problems with left-handed manipulation, although I couldn't do it the "Army Way."
*I shoot just as well (or poorly) with either hand.
*I now shoot right-handed most of the time.
Note: I understand the utility of an ambi selector and charging handle, it's the lefty-uppers I don't "get.
D. Christopher
09-23-10, 21:22
One of my best friends has a left eye made of glass. He doesn't shoot anymore but he still has some pretty strong opinions about lefties shooting right handed ARs, and vice versa. Always wear good eyepro.
lethal dose
09-23-10, 21:25
Are the bolts lefty specific?
Are the bolts lefty specific?
They would have to be.
I've seen a LH Stag and a LH DPMS. Of those two, I'd rather have the Stag, despite being a righty. Now that Noveske is offering a LH rifle, they've taken the No.1 position. My friend Jeff bought a Stag 8L, but had I known Noveske was going to offer a lefty, I would've tried to convince him to get the Noveske.
Army Chief
09-23-10, 22:00
Bolts ... and carriers, as well.
AC
lethal dose
09-23-10, 22:06
Sorry. Dumb question... considering I know the ejection port is on the left. Anyhow, if you buy, I'd stock up on bolts and bc/gs.
I wish John had done that years ago. Now I've got 3 Noveske's and I hate having to wipe Slip 2000 off my glasses when I shoot with a can. Cool beans for us lefties!
These have been out for at least since May of last year (if not before). I'm not sure why people are saying they're "new."
One of my best friends has a left eye made of glass. He doesn't shoot anymore but he still has some pretty strong opinions about lefties shooting right handed ARs, and vice versa. Always wear good eyepro.
Does the left eye being glass have anything to do with shooting standard AR's? If so I'm sorry for his loss but please explain how this happened? I'm a lefty and anything that could occur to my dominant eye while shooting would have happened whether right or left handed.
If anything, an eye injury to a lefty shooting a standard AR would be to the right eye if it was powder, brass, or debris being thrown from the port.
Army Chief
09-23-10, 23:04
I'm a Noveske customer with nothing but good things to say about NRW, but in this case, I do have to give the nod to KAC for the SR-15E3 if what you're really after is a true ambidextrous carbine.
As stated, John has been building LH carbines for some time; they've simply been marketed (exclusively) through www.lefthandrifles.com. While I'm sure these portsiders are up to the usual shop standard, I am left to wonder what one stands to gain by left-side ejection when all of the controls are essentially those of a standard AR.
I've spent my entire adult life with "right-handed" versions in military trim, and feel hopelessly spoiled when I can use an ambi safety and magazine release. The KAC Stoner Rifle offers extremely good versions of both, but even if that gun were offered in a LH ejection model, I'm not sure that I would really see the draw.
GotM4 hit the x-ring here in observing that the lowers are the source of whatever difficulties we may encounter as left-handed firers. In the post-A1 era, save perhaps for the charging handle, the typical AR upper is just as well-suited to left-side operation as it is to the right.
I hope NRW sells these by the truckload, but speaking only for myself, I see little reason to make a change now.
AC
When I shoot left handed I don't even use an ambi safety, just run my thumb up on the selector side. I need to work on it so I can use my knuckle.
I covet a KAC lower, being a lefty, but that's it. With normal reloads I think I am faster than I would be as a righty - one less flip of the rifle, since when it is up for me to check the chamber, my right hand can slide down the guard, hit the mag release, slide down the mag, pulling it in case it didn't drop, and grab the next one, ready to slide it in. No gun flip necessary.
Was the glass eye thing because he wasn't wearing proper eye protection? Would it have happened anyhow if he had good protection?
Anyhow, I wouldn't want to source special lefty parts. But for the lefties that want a lefty gun, dammit, this is still an awesome offering. I hope there's enough of a market for them to do well.
Another lefty that also drools over the KAC offering. I too have no issues shooting standard side ejection, and agree it is all about the lower for us.
The reason for a lefty upper isn't convenience, it's safety. A lefty shooting a right handed rifle stands a greater chance of being injured than a right handed shooter. High pressure gases will vent through the ejection port which will be in close proximity to the lefty's face.
Yes, you should wear safety glasses while shooting, but they won't stop everything. I wear safety glasses with side shields every day at work and debris still finds it's way in.
Noveske has done a good thing for left handed AR shooters
Iraq Ninja
09-24-10, 02:08
Another lefty here...
My choice in firearms has always been based around compromises. For me, the many advantages of the standard M4 upper design when used by a lefty far outweigh this "safety factor" aspect.
Another lefty here...
My choice in firearms has always been based around compromises. For me, the many advantages of the standard M4 upper design when used by a lefty far outweigh this "safety factor" aspect.
Agreed. I am a lefty and believe that the entire rifle including the lower controls favor a lefty. I have used an unaltered rifle for so long I would never consider using ambi controls or hanging happy meal toys off of my rifle. Repetition breeds familiarity...
JeepDriver
09-24-10, 07:33
Another lefty who just doesn't see the need.
I'ce added ambi safetys and Norgon mag releases to my guns and I'm good to go .
You guys kill me! You will fight to the death to ensure your rifles are "milspec" with all the best parts "Because only a fool takes chances", yet see no need for for an upper that doesn't spit exhaust gases in your face & eyes and reduces the chance you'll be injured & blinded from a case failure
Mr. Goodtimes
09-24-10, 10:47
How do you other lefties do mag changes? I use my thumb to drop the mag, then insert a fresh one, using my trigger and middle fingers to strike the bolt release. Is pretty much what everybody else does?
JeepDriver
09-24-10, 12:13
How do you other lefties do mag changes? I use my thumb to drop the mag, then insert a fresh one, using my trigger and middle fingers to strike the bolt release. Is pretty much what everybody else does?
Norgon mag release.
They are expensive, but they allow you to drop mags with your trigger finger.
Iraq Ninja
09-24-10, 13:48
You guys kill me! You will fight to the death to ensure your rifles are "milspec" with all the best parts "Because only a fool takes chances", yet see no need for for an upper that doesn't spit exhaust gases in your face & eyes and reduces the chance you'll be injured & blinded from a case failure
Maybe I am just an idiot...
In my case, I bought my first AR in 1976, and carried one professionally from 1978 till today. I have no problem with gas spitting at all, and that includes my military time when we never wore eye protection. I see it as a non issue except in the case of overly sensitive shooters.
I have yet to see a case failure with mil issued ammo. I am sure it can happen though, but the odds do not out way the advantages I have with a standard M4.
I have seen many dust cover springs break, and I don't want a lefty carbine with a broken spring, resulting in the cover falling down over my ejection port.
The best way not to get hurt by your gun is never to take it out of the safe.
On a related note, has the military ever express concern that left handed shooters are at risk, other than from rifles without a brass deflector?
In terms of vehicle ops, a left handed upped runs the risk of throwing brass in the face of your driver if you are shooting from the commanders seat.
The reason for a lefty upper isn't convenience, it's safety. A lefty shooting a right handed rifle stands a greater chance of being injured than a right handed shooter.
Your statment may hold true with a heavy steel bolt action receiver, But the aluminum AR receiver cannot always contain that much pressure.
Going into bubba gun market territory now IMHO.
Left handed guns are unacceptable for any real work, combat, or defesive situation.
Left handed people should be able to manipulate a right handed (normal) firearm. Don't like the proprietary parts situation either.
I rather see them make their CHF light barrel avaliable as a seperate item.
Most are ordered with a Norgon and ambi safety and I would guess most are probably not going to end up as hard use guns.
Controls are the same so you can pick one up and run it. Malfunction clearance is going to be different but so is training with a BAD lever.
Our Hammer forged barrels are becoming available, 10.5" now and other lengths will be soon.
http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bin/imcart/display.cgi?item_id=b-lslp-556&cat=91&page=1&search=&since=&status=
DeputyMend
09-24-10, 15:56
I want one! Thank you Noveske!
The lefty issue is with the lower.
Indeed. Heck the AR is already ahead of every other shotgun and rifle I ever fired. Not one of them had shell deflectors!:D
Will the Stag Lefty BCG work with this Noveske upper or is the bolt totally proprietary?
jklaughrey
09-24-10, 22:46
God blessed me with being a Southpaw when I was still a pugilist, but thankfully he also made me ambidextrous when it comes everything else I do. Personally if your a lefty and feel the need to have a rifle suited for your "handicap", feel free. But sadly this is a right hand world on most products. Better to train for both IMHO.
PS the Handicap remark was in jest!:D
...I have seen many dust cover springs break, and I don't want a lefty carbine with a broken spring, resulting in the cover falling down over my ejection port...In terms of vehicle ops, a left handed upped runs the risk of throwing brass in the face of your driver if you are shooting from the commanders seat.Didn't think about that.
There have been cases of kabooms with leftys shooting R/H weapons that the shooter got hurt worse than they would if they had been shooting a L/H version. Not talking about ARs in particular but rifles in general.
Don't take this or my earlier post to mean Ralphie will put an eye out shooting his Red Ryder BB gun left handed. I just find it amusing how this left handed upper is dismissed out of hand
Wish I would have known :( I am a right handed, right eye dominant shooter that no longer has sight in the right eye do to an injury. I have recently been building southpaws in addition to my standard AR's since I must now shoot left handed and wish I had known John was producing these before my second southpaw build. I definitely would have saved the extra $$$ for a Noveske upper if I had known :( Oh well there is always the third build I guess :P
I am a right-hander but I have training buddies who are left-handed and regularly train LH shooters (I always jokingly call them, "statistically insignificant" :p ).
I'm also very familiar with shooting from the left shoulder and manipulating the weapon with the support hand (left in my case). In all cases I always advocate using a standard rifle and working your way around the, 'right' controls. Invariably, when I'm teaching a lefty, I do the same thing myself. Though not an AR, I spent all evening Tuesday shooting Glock left-handed because I was teaching a lefty shooter the manipulations and mechanics of said system. Side note: Everyone on this forum should strive to be an ambidextrous shooter. Even a right-handed shooter may have to operate the rifle with the support hand (shoulder switches, anyone?).
It isn't that hard to drop a mag or hit the selector using the left hand as your primary. Better to learn how to work around than to stick a bunch of proprietary crap on your rifle. YMMV.
From the various remarks above, it seems there are very sound reasons for a Lefty shooter using a Righty gun or a Lefty gun, depending on which factors are more important to the particular shooter.
No thanks. I'm a lefty and been shooting AR15/M16's since the mid 1970's. Hasn't been a problem for me so no need to change.
MikeyB
I ll stick with a standered and just add lefty parts if I feel the need. I ve gotten so used to the standered it is almost harder to switch.
CouchTater
10-11-10, 14:10
This is excellent news! Not the best timing for me, with the local economy doing poorly it'll be a couple of years before I can afford to add more rifles. Hopefully they will still be in production then, at which point I believe I'd want two in Noveske's '16" Light Recce, BASIC' configuration. A 10" AR pistol would be a lot of fun but I don't really have a need for it.
The way I see it, left-handed upper castings, bolts, and bolt carriers are no more proprietary than alternative cartridges like 6.8 or the tactical gingerbread that is popular these days. For civilians its pretty simple; buy or build a rifle, break it in thoroughly, get some professional training, and practice. If the S hits the F, you're going to use what you have on hand. If your southpaw rifle runs reliably, you've trained with it, and you have appropriate ammo, you've got that element covered.
Very cool. Is Noveske considered far superior to Stag in quality?
Wil Noveske's LH bolt work in a Stag?
Can you purchase just BCG from Noveske?
Very cool. Is Noveske considered far superior to Stag in quality?
Wil Noveske's LH bolt work in a Stag?
Yes, Noveske is considered superior to Stag in quality by most folks. I would say all, but someone out there would disagree with me, I'm sure. Noveske has a real reputation for very accurate barrels. Even though the lower is still right handed, if you are only worried about brass burns, this upper solves that issue. Plus, if you are already used to the right handed configuration, there is less to relearn with this upper.
is the bolt the same? i know the carrier is different for LH ejection
CouchTater
10-12-10, 11:33
Bolt, bolt carrier, and barrel extension are going to be different. My understanding is that Stag uses an "ambi" barrel extension, its not obvious to me how that would work.
barrel extensions are the same
I guess my concern is, if Noveske stopped making these sometime in the future, are there any other manufacturers I could use parts from - or would you be SOOL?
Maybe the best answer for someone dedicated to this form of the AR would be "buy two uppers"
Barrel extensions are Ambi, they have a chamfer cut on both sides of the back of the lugs because the bolt rotates the opposite direction.
Bolt and carrier are the same as Stag.
Nope - sorry. I woke up this morning and I wasn't married to Kate Beckinsale.:mad:
As for a lefty AR-15; I don't need one any more than I needed a lefty 1911. Ambi controls work well, and I'm not worried about safety. There are quite a few benchrest shooters that are using right-hand bolt, left hand ejection actions so that they can watch feeding and ejection. Just wear good shooting glasses.
Barrel extensions are Ambi, they have a chamfer cut on both sides of the back of the lugs because the bolt rotates the opposite direction.
Bolt and carrier are the same as Stag.
Thanks for answering my question. Your rifles look amazing. In addition to the quality differences, the standard 1:7 barrel is a major selling point IMO. That, among other things, makes this offering very unique and praise-worthy offering for the left-handed shooter. I hope word gets out and you sell enough to keep them in production!
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