Slick Sided AR and Left-handed Shooters?

I’m looking to build or purchase one of Brownells Retro 601s. I’m a lefty and I’ve found conflicting reports of brass to face issues with slick-sided SP1s and A1s. Some say they suck for lefties and some say they have no issues what so ever. I qualified with a 601 in basic training back in ‘89 and don’t remember any issues. I’m interested in what experience folks here have had and what if anything (short of adding a brass defector) can been done to mitigate BTF for left-handed shooters using a slick sided AR? Thanks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wQObXQcc4M

Ian from Forgotten Weapons reports that it depends on the ammunition and - to an extent - on springs. YMMV.

Thanks for the video. I’ve never aid much attention to ejection patterned as I’ve never had any issues on that end.

I really like the retro rifles and carbines, but as a lefty I’ve never been willing to chance buying one.
I’d be interested in learning how to tune the springs for ejection.

I'm a lefty and built a slick-side retro. I have never been hit with brass by it. I didn't do anything to tune the ejection pattern; I just lucked out.

They do make snap on brass deflectors if you are not using the scope mounting hole. I started out as a lefty in Army basic with M16A1 and was never hit but brass flying across my face was distracting so one day I figured out I could shut my left eye and converted to righty. :p

After some looking I found this. From Armalite's Library, Tech Notes (Same applies to AR-15's):

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TECHNICAL NOTE 34, ADJUSTING THE EJECTION PATTERN OF THE AR-10[emoji768] RIFLE

Purpose:

To advise owners and gunsmiths how to adjust the ejection pattern of the AR-10B[emoji769] series rifle.

Background:

ArmaLite[emoji768] occasionally receives complaints that expended cartridges ejected from the AR-10[emoji768] strike and damage the rifle’s upper receiver. The most common complaints are that the case spins and strikes either the case deflector or the front of the ejection port opening.

These ejection patterns are common to all AR-15/M16[emoji769] pattern rifles. They are more noticeable on the AR-10[emoji768] because the heavier cartridge case mars the finish of the receiver easier.

The ejection pattern of a rifle is created by a complex interplay of the opening velocity of the carrier group, and the extractor, ejector and their springs. In general, the faster the carrier group opens, or the stronger the extractor and ejector springs, the farther toward 12:00 (looking down on the rifle) the case is ejected. The weaker the springs are, or the slower the carrier group opens, the farther toward 6:00 the case is ejected.

ArmaLite[emoji768] seeks an ejection pattern between 1:00 and 3:00, and inspects for this characteristic during inspection. Obviously, the carrier’s opening velocity is subject to differences in ammunition. Springs can take a set over time, and the ejection pattern eventually shifts toward 5:00. This is normal, and readily adjusted by extractor spring replacement and ejector spring timing.

The extractor spring and plunger can be changed during routine cleaning. The ejector spring can be replaced if ejection is too far to the rear, or tuned by shortening it a coil at a time if ejection is too far to the front. Tuned ejector springs will be between a minimum of .950 and a maximum of 1.015 inch long.

As usual, selection of good ammunition minimizes complaints.

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I'm a lefty and have a couple of retro AR rifles w/o brass deflectors.

Nearly all of the time it (brass hitting me) isn't a problem. But different brands/types of ammo eject in slightly different directions. After shooting one type of ammo, I went home with about 10 nearly perfect circles burned into the right side of my face.

I had been told about the ejector spring trimming trick, and also shaping the actual ejector (rounding off the edge closest to the ejection port). My retro's are just for range fun, so tinkering with the ejector/spring would at worst result in some aggravation. But since I only had problems with that one particular type of ammo, I just didn't shoot it in that rifle anymore.

When I shot the M16 the brass would either hit me on the cheek or go down my collar. After a few hundred rounds, I found the “sweet spot” on the buttstock for my cheek weld where the brass did neither.

I have a original brass defector that was made of fiberglass and it attaches inside the carry handle. They made these a long time ago along with the original brass catchers. i’ll try to find it to get you a picture of what it looks likeAttachment 50996 here is the brass catcher.

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Originally Posted by Firecop203

When I shot the M16 the brass would either hit me on the cheek or go down my collar. After a few hundred rounds, I found the “sweet spot” on the buttstock for my cheek weld where the brass did neither.

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Yes. I had an M16A1 my whole four years as an Army grunt and while I don't recall being hit in the face I was hit in the neck and shirt collar area. Had a piece of hot brass go down my right sleeve once too; went inside the opening slit on BDU's where you button it around the wrist.

My current A1 clone sports a C7-type upper with the brass deflector built into it.

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Originally Posted by ABNAK

Yes. I had an M16A1 my whole four years as an Army grunt and while I don't recall being hit in the face I was hit in the neck and shirt collar area. Had a piece of hot brass go down my right sleeve once too; went inside the opening slit on BDU's where you button it around the wrist.

My current A1 clone sports a C7-type upper with the brass deflector built into it.

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I had a piece of brass burn a spot on my neck once. When I got home and the wife saw it, there were lots of accusations, language and explaining to do.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Firecop203

I had a piece of brass burn a spot on my neck once. When I got home and the wife saw it, there were lots of accusations, language and explaining to do.

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I remember in Army BCT (1973) the southpaws got those plastic case deflectors issued to them, otherwise they had those burn marks on their necks.

I am also a southpaw and shoot an Elisco M16A1. I experienced BTF a number of times with different ammo. I found that sweet spot on my buttstock for my cheekweld but sometimes I forget it. I am interested in the discussion about the ejector spring; mine could be worn out and just needs to be replaced.

IIRC, the sergeants tried to find HydraMatic ARs for the southpaws; reputedly they kicked the brass more to the front. They also told the lefties to button their shirts at the neck.
This was 1970, and my rifle in basic was a slickside M16, tho' most of the company had F/A.
When I got back to my Guard unit, we had brandy-new M16A1s.
Moon