Left handed AR

[BLACKTALON]

I would like to build a Left handed AR for my GF for her birthday thats coming up do they make special lowers or is it just the upper that matters? I am specifically looking for a 5.45 upper so I dont need to get another caliber

 

[antco]

IIRC, the only thing the lower needs is ambi safety and ambi mag release. The main difference is in the upper.

 

[steves1911]

Stag arms makes lefties in 5.56 and 6.8. Not sure about 5.45.

 

[Boom Boom]

I'm left handed. I have left-handed (Stag) and right-handed ARs. In my opinion, the only things that matter are the charging handle and left-side ejection port. Left-side ejection is nice if you want to avoid hot gas to the face and/or hot brass on your right arm (sometimes bouncing off your right arm and down your shirt).

Don't bother with the ambi mag release. Get accustomed to the standard one. I like the standard mag release as is. The way I do it is slide my right hand back from the handguard onto the upper exposed portion of the magazine. Your right thumb should naturally come to rest on the mag release button. Just press the mag release with your thumb while grasping the mag with your palm and fingers and pull down. Becomes quick and natural with practice.

I recommend an ambi charging handle, to make it much easier to pull back the handle with your right hand. Use your trigger finger to lock the bolt back.

I have no preference for the safety, be it right side, left side, or both. It's easy to go back and forth between the left and right sides with practice.

Bottom line is that the more you get used to the standard right-handed version (even with left-side ejection), the more proficient you become with any AR. Even the standard charging handle is not that big of a deal, but it's well worth the cost to get an ambi one. Ambi safeties are as little as $25 or so, making for a dirt cheap upgrade if you wish.

 

[BLACKTALON]

I'm left handed. I have left-handed (Stag) and right-handed ARs. In my opinion, the only things that matter are the charging handle and left-side ejection port. Left-side ejection is nice if you want to avoid hot gas to the face and/or hot brass on your right arm (sometimes bouncing off your right arm and down your shirt).

Don't bother with the ambi mag release. Get accustomed to the standard one. I like the standard mag release as is. The way I do it is slide my right hand back from the handguard onto the upper exposed portion of the magazine. Your right thumb should naturally come to rest on the mag release button. Just press the mag release with your thumb while grasping the mag with your palm and fingers and pull down. Becomes quick and natural with practice.

I recommend an ambi charging handle, to make it much easier to pull back the handle with your right hand. Use your trigger finger to lock the bolt back.

I have no preference for the safety, be it right side, left side, or both. It's easy to go back and forth between the left and right sides with practice.

Bottom line is that the more you get used to the standard right-handed version (even with left-side ejection), the more proficient you become with any AR. Even the standard charging handle is not that big of a deal, but it's well worth the cost to get an ambi one. Ambi safeties are as little as $25 or so, making for a dirt cheap upgrade if you wish.

I cant find a left handed upper in 5.45 tho really dont want to get back into 5.56 lol

 

[Boom Boom]

Right-handed is still fine. Only problem I've ever had with right-handed 5.56 is occasional hot brass and minor burns on my right arm. I've seen somebody get one down the shirt and starting jumping around like a rabbit. Builds character. Just leave your shirt untucked.

Does the 5.45 upper take a standard 5.56 charging handle? I'm ignorant of the differences.

It's your choice on the ambi charging handle and/or safety. I'm used to right-handed all the way, so anything ambi is either a luxury (charging handle, safety) or annoyance (mag release, bolt release).

 

[gdubyacobb]

I am a lefty and always have been.
I've never had a single issue with a standard AR. Even the charging handle is fine. In many many rounds of shooting I have had one, ONE, casing bounce of of me. Never noticed the "gases".
Lefties adapt.
IMHO a left handed build is a waste on money.

 

[BLACKTALON]

My gf hates the Ak's I have because they eject in the direction of her face. I was hoping i could get a AR for her and she will stop being made about the 2 ak's I bought

 

[sailskidrive]

You know, God makes right handed girl friends.

 

[gdubyacobb]

My gf hates the Ak's I have because they eject in the direction of her face.

That's why ARs have the deflector behind the ejuction port.
The only rifle I have that spooks me left handed is my M1, that op rod zipping back and forth on the same side as my face is always in my mind.

 

[straightsilver3]

The brass deflector on AR uppers were put there for lefties. If hot brass is such a bother I'm sure a Long seelve shirt is cheaper that a left hand set up This really is a non issue for left hand shooters

 

[JMintzer]

The brass deflector on AR uppers were put there for lefties.

+1...

No problem with gas or brass. I did put a ambi safety and mag release, as well as a lefty charging handle on both of mine, but I shot it for a good year before changing it out with no problems...


Jamie

 

[BUFF7MM]

As a lefty, I've never had a problem with gasses form any of my AR's or brass. The only thing I change on my scoped AR's is I put an ambi tactical latch on the charging handle.

 

[LostSoul]

I'm another lefty that has absolutely zero problems with a standard AR. An ambi safety is nice, but even that's not really necessary.

 

[BradMacc82]

I've never had an issue shooting standard AR's lefty myself, at least with gases or spent casings. What got me, and most likely is stuck in your gf's mind, is watching the spent brass in her peripheral go right thru her field of vision.

It got to me to the point where I spent the money on a lefty upper, now it doesn't bother me, lefty upper or righty upper, my minds desensitized to flying brass now.

 

[BLACKTALON]

I've never had an issue shooting standard AR's lefty myself, at least with gases or spent casings. What got me, and most likely is stuck in your gf's mind, is watching the spent brass in her peripheral go right thru her field of vision.

It got to me to the point where I spent the money on a lefty upper, now it doesn't bother me, lefty upper or righty upper, my minds desensitized to flying brass now.

i think that is what it is 2

 

[TapRackBang]

First, Lefties Rule.

Second, I don't own an AR but I've shot a righty AR and I didn't have an issue. The ejector ramp is key. I also have a Mini-14 I shoot lefty and don't have any trouble. (Not to mention pistols are all righty and no trouble there either.)

If it's an issue you can try a brass catcher. They are about $12 and keep the brass from flying in your face or your neighbor's at the range. Leave the bottom unzipped and the casings just fall out. Great for controlling brass when a lefty shoots a righty gun

 

[cobra]

I'm a lefty also. My AR's are all standart right hand issue as are all my rifles/pistols.
Never a problem useing them.
I would rather get used to useing a standart rifle should your dedicated lefty model be unavalible.
It really is a non issue learning to shoot a righthand rifle if not knowing anything different.

 

[67temp]

When I built mine I used a standard lower with an ambi safety and a dpms southpaw upper. The only thing I would change is the ambi safety. While some are marked as "ambi" they really aren't user friendly for right or left handed. While in the fire position the lever contacts the knuckle. I ended up having to take off 3/8" from the lever.

 

[kohburn]

I am a lefty and always have been.
I've never had a single issue with a standard AR. Even the charging handle is fine. In many many rounds of shooting I have had one, ONE, casing bounce of of me. Never noticed the "gases".
Lefties adapt.
IMHO a left handed build is a waste on money.

I would like an ambi safety on mine but that is the only change i really care to make, I have no problem with a right eject when shooting left handed.