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Thread: Tips for Shooting AR left-handed?

  1. #31
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    I'm a lefty and have all ambi controls on my ARs. My tip: install ambi controls. If not, just practice with what you have. That's about it.

  2. #32
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    Quote Originally Posted by HelloLarry View Post
    Using the right hand to release the mag doesn't work very well when you are slung up, nor does it work well when you have front-heavy rifle, even if the balance point is at the D ring.
    I run two-points with the front attachment forward, generally near the end of the rail, I haven't noticed a problem, but I imagine that is more a matter of where the sling mounts are located.

    Your experiences are a perfect example of how use should drive the operation.

  3. #33
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    Not to beat a dead horse: but the reason to keep the rifle bone stock (right-handed) is because in a SHTF situation you won't necessarily end up with a weapon that has all your fancy ambi controls.

    Yes, left-handed on a right-handed AR can be an ergonomic challenge, but I prefer to practice with what you're likely to encounter 99% of the time.
    Last edited by Doc Safari; 03-23-18 at 10:02.

  4. #34
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    Im left handed thru and thru. I tried a left handed selector. Didn't like it. I was already too accustomed to the right handed one, I just flip it with my trigger finger. I have a rifle with an ambi selector and I suppose that's the way to go.
    My absolute favorite piece for being left handed is an extended charging handle release. Haven't tried an ambi one, but with a long release latch I can really rip it quick without missing with my strong hand.
    “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
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  5. #35
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    I shoot rifles left handed (I’m a righty but very cross dominant). While I run drills on occasion using only right handed controls, I see zero reason for a lefty to live with them permanently. I run ambi charging handles, safety selectors, and mag catches. I don’t bother with the bolt catch because I actually think the standard one is better for a lefty than a righty.
    Last edited by rockapede; 03-23-18 at 11:32.

  6. #36
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    Quote Originally Posted by Doc Glockster View Post
    Not to beat a dead horse: but the reason to keep the rifle bone stock (right-handed) is because in a SHTF situation you won't necessarily end up with a weapon that has all your fancy ambi controls.

    Yes, left-handed on a right-handed AR can be an ergonomic challenge, but I prefer to practice with what you're likely to encounter 99% of the time.
    I agree one should learn to operate whats out there, but nearly all my training is with my rifles.
    The chances of using my rifles is slim, the chance of getting a battlefield pickup in the middle of a firefight and having to do 1.5s reloads and remidial action is low enough that im comfortable with basic knowledge of a standard rifle.

  7. #37
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    Deleted - MegademiC handled it better than I could.
    Last edited by 26 Inf; 03-23-18 at 11:38.

  8. #38
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    Quote Originally Posted by 26 Inf View Post
    Honestly, I think a civilian worrying about a battlefield pick-up is not a likely scenario.
    You're probably right. The rare Hurricane Katrina scenario probably will never affect me or anyone I know.

    I will say, however, that the reason you put back spares, emergency supplies, and whatnot is because you never know when it's going to be your unlucky day.

    Another consideration: since my girlfriend shoots right-handed, if she had to use my weapon I don't want a bunch of unfamiliar doodads on it.

    I use an ambi-safety, the moment my thumb swipes down and misses the lever, I'll realize the rifle only has a right hand safety - not going to freeze, simply switch to another method.
    Which raises a good point....train to THINK no matter what you encounter.

  9. #39
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    Quote Originally Posted by Doc Glockster View Post
    Another consideration: since my girlfriend shoots right-handed, if she had to use my weapon I don't want a bunch of unfamiliar doodads on it.
    Ambi controls don't change how a right-hander operates the weapon. A right-hander can ignore them if they want. People make a bigger deal of it than it really is. Unfamiliar doodads? Show her a couple of times and she'll get it, unless she's the sort of person who can't get into an unfamiliar car and figure out how to drive it.

    If you're worried about not being able to operate a standard AR just because you have ambi controls on your personal weapon, you should also worry about not being able to operate non-AR weapons. Who knows what you're going to pick up.

  10. #40
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    Quote Originally Posted by militarymoron View Post
    Ambi controls don't change how a right-hander operates the weapon. A right-hander can ignore them if they want. People make a bigger deal of it than it really is.
    You're right. I'm half asleep today. What was I thinking? I was thinking about my girlfriend and not confusing her as she's a "newbie" for the most part.



    Unfamiliar doodads? Show her a couple of times and she'll get it, unless she's the sort of person who can't get into an unfamiliar car and figure out how to drive it.
    My girlfriend is enthusiastic, but as far as skills she's almost a "non-gun" person. I have had to host several training sessions with her and her friends. I know next time we shoot AR's I'm going to have to go through the "don't ride the charging handle" speech all over again.

    If you're worried about not being able to operate a standard AR just because you have ambi controls on your personal weapon, you should also worry about not being able to operate non-AR weapons. Who knows what you're going to pick up.
    You make some good points, but this one most likely doesn't apply to me.

    I was getting at "muscle memory". I probably didn't explain it too well, but it's like switching from a 1911 to a Glock and reaching for a safety that's not there. It's a matter of speed.

    Under stress, you're going to go for what you're used to using, and if it suddenly isn't there it may confuse and distract you long enough to slow you down unacceptably in a firefight.

    If you train yourself to use ambi controls and use only ambi controls exclusively, you'll be slowed down under stress when you have to use a right-handed weapon. I've always read that you fight how you train, so I don't want "extras" that might not be there in a crunch. I guess it's the same reason I don't use BAD levers or AFG's/VFG's. I tend to keep everything Plain Jane and learn to use a variety of optics so I've got a basic familiarity with whatever weapon I'm stuck with, whether it has iron sights, Aimpoint, MRO, ACOG, etc. I also learned different weapons back in the day when I had money. Only the FAL and Steyr AUG escaped my getting at least a basic familiarity with them.

    Just my opinion, but I religiously enforce KISS on my weapons. No extras allowed unless it's so common that it's a no-brainer (like optics versus irons for example).
    Last edited by Doc Safari; 03-23-18 at 12:50.

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