Left Hand Builds?

[JPB]

Anybody here build left handed ARs? I'm wondering specifically if the Stag LH receivers and BCGs will accept ordinary MilSpec (read non-proprietary) barrels/barrel extensions, barrel nuts, etc... I'd like to build a couple of LH uppers but don't want to be bound to Stag barrels or rail options. Thanks.

[cop1211]

I'm a lefty and have shot the standard configuration for the past 26 years. A lefty rifle is not needed much more flexibility with standard parts etc, and will kill any resale if needed.
Now if you just want it because then your pretty much stuck with Stag, although I remember some place had lefty Noveske rifles.

[MWL]

Every AR15 I have ever owned has been left handed.

I take a standard AR15 straight out of the box, and hold it in my left hand. Ta-da, a left handed AR15!

Honestly, why buy a niche market product from a manufacturer that is not regularly listed by SMEs as being a brand to buy? I have been shooting, and building ARs for the past couple of decades, and have never found it necessary, and neither have a lot of left handed shooters with far more experience than me. I actually find the AR to be very left hand friendly, so much so, that I sometimes think it is easier for us lefties to perform certain functions that right handers.

Having said that, My ARs are now somewhat ambi. Why? just because I can. I just add a Raptor Charging Handle, Norgon Ambi-Catch, and BAD-CASS Short Throw Ambi Selector. My rifles also have sling mounting points on both sides, and can be used by either left or right handed shooters when I do LE demos, etc..

Regards.

Mark

[NWcityguy2]

Stag sells their barrels with two different barrel extensions, one for right handed models and one that is "ambi", for left handed models. However it is not strictly necessary and the left handed upper will work with standard barrel extensions.

[militarymoron]

From another lefty shooter - don't buy a lefty upper. just make your lower ambi with ambi parts. i've never been hit in the face by ejected cases plus the ejection port is in your peripheral vision if you're into doing visual checks. you can immediately see the status of the bolt carrier without moving your cheek from the stock.
on the other hand, some instructors don't recommend doing visual checks at all (since they're no use in low light or the dark), so that point might be moot depending on what you're used to. bottom line - forget the left-handed uppers - stick with the standard ones.

[Iraqgunz]

I am building a left handed AR right now. All of my AR's are set up for ambi operation. I use standard right handed uppers, add an ambi charging handle, ambi selector and ambi magazine release. Anything else is overkill in my opinion.

[JPB]

Fellas, allow me to digress. The main driver for wanting left handed ejection (I couldn't care less about ambi anything else) is gas blow back from suppressed SBR uppers. A left handed shooter gets spackled with all kinds of combustion products shooting a suppressed SBR AR. It's more for health concerns over breathing all of that in that has me looking at LH ejection.

[jerrysimons]

Fellas, allow me to digress. The main driver for wanting left handed ejection (I couldn't care less about ambi anything else) is gas blow back from suppressed SBR uppers. A left handed shooter gets spackled with all kinds of combustion products shooting a suppressed SBR AR. It's more for health concerns over breathing all of that in that has me looking at LH ejection.

This. I am looking at building a lefty upper for a family member who will be shooting suppressed. He has made due with right handed guns all his life but when I told him I could build a completely left handed AR he appreciated the concept. I got a LWRC IC lower and will use Stag's upper and BCG. I am currently on the hunt for a Stag ambi barrel extension (chamfered for opposite rotation, not really necessary) and will have a barrel shop fit it to one of their barrels (I don't trust Stags barrels).

http://lefthandrifles.com/cgi-bin/imcart/display.cgi?cat=6

This guy sells left handed Novekse uppers which he said Noveske assembled themselves but he wouldn't tell me if or when he was going to get anymore in stock.

[78Staff]

Buddy of mine has a Stag LH model - he's actually Left Handed, which seems obvious to say, but I'm right handed and left eye dominant, so shoot lefty, but use standard AR's, typically with ambi controls of some sort like the ones mentioned already (Norgon, BA, Blue Teal), but recently picked up a full ambi LWRC M6IC lower, which pretty much kicks a$$ so far :).

Anyway, he's pretty pleased with his Stag, it's your basic 16" H Barrel M4 version. I've shot it, shoots well enough, heavy sucker though.

There's a thread around here or TOS mentioning Noveske's LH uppers and and BCG's - noting that they are sourced from Stag and rebranded by Noveske - that's no secret.

[JPB]

That "Left handed Rifles" site looks like a step in the right direction. I was hoping that I could simply tear down a DD Mk18 and a Noveske 8.5" .300Blk and rebuild them on a Stag receiver and BCG. Looks like this may be the case without needing an "ambi" barrel extension, but I don't want to take chances with an SBR'd lower should the non-ambi combo let go at some point.

[jerrysimons]

That "Left handed Rifles" site looks like a step in the right direction. I was hoping that I could simply tear down a DD Mk18 and a Noveske 8.5" .300Blk and rebuild them on a Stag receiver and BCG. Looks like this may be the case without needing an "ambi" barrel extension, but I don't want to take chances with an SBR'd lower should the non-ambi combo let go at some point.

The vast majority of people who build using the CMT/Stag left uppers use standard chamfered barrel extensions, I have not read any reports of a problem in doing so.

[MWL]

You are going to get gas and crud coming out of a suppressed AR whether it is left or right eject. That is why they built the gas buster charging handle, why the newer versions of the BCM Gunfighter have similar features, and also why a lot of guys use RTV and similar silicone on their charging handles.

Regards.

Mark

[Freelance]

I have assembled 3-4 lefty AR uppers (couple of DI's and a piston.) Used the Stag Upper/BCG but I went DD on the barrel, gas block, rail and most of the, little things. No compatibility issues that I bumped up against. Both uppers are accurate reliable sticks, no complaints that come to mind.

[PT Doc]

I'm a lefty and have a couple of SBRs with cans. I think a standard upper with a Raptor CH with silicone and ambi controls on the lower is the way to go. JMHO

[JPB]

You are going to get gas and crud coming out of a suppressed AR whether it is left or right eject. That is why they built the gas buster charging handle, why the newer versions of the BCM Gunfighter have similar features, and also why a lot of guys use RTV and similar silicone on their charging handles.

Regards.

Mark

True, but what matters is the relative location of ones face to that ejection port that is spitting out gas and crud. For a Lefty shooting a standard rifle, their face is real close. The gas buster CHs/RTV solve some of the problem, but not at the ejection port.

[JPB]

I have assembled 3-4 lefty AR uppers (couple of DI's and a piston.) Used the Stag Upper/BCG but I went DD on the barrel, gas block, rail and most of the, little things. No compatibility issues that I bumped up against. Both uppers are accurate reliable sticks, no complaints that come to mind.

Good info. Thanks.

[78Staff]

Yep the Raptor is fantastic - a bit spendy but worth it for an ambi shooter. Last build I tried a BCM Mod4 (ambi) and it didn't last one day. I haven't done the silicone mod though I will look into that - I found USMC03's writeup and it seems pretty straitforward..

http://www.03designgroup.com/technotes/do-it-yourself-gas-buster-charging-handle

[NWcityguy2]

Plus if you use a straight armed grip, like a C-clamp, while shooting left handed on a right hand upper, you'll get a rash on your forearm. The more gas feeding out, the worse it will be.

If there were some advantage to a lefty using a right handed rifle, then there would be an advantage for a righty to use a left handed rifle. And there is not. Common sense.

[jerrysimons]

Plus if you use a straight armed grip, like a C-clamp, while shooting left handed on a right hand upper, you'll get a rash on your forearm. The more gas feeding out, the worse it will be.

If there were some advantage to a lefty using a right handed rifle, then there would be an advantage for a righty to use a left handed rifle. And there is not. Common sense.

Agreed. While it may be easier for lefties to make due with standard ARs over other rifles it seems obvious that left handed ejection on a gas gun is more than just a novelty.

[78Staff]

Did find this mention of barrel extensions for LH builds... Might be fun to build and shoot a LH upper, actually.

http://www.keystoneaccuracy.com/lefthandedspecialist.html

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