was wonderig if theres a way to switch the safety from the left side to the right side

You would need to locate an ambidextrous safety body and right side lever, plunger and spring (or screw).

A right side lever only? Don't think that exists. You can replace the single sided safety with an ambidextrous safety. The 3rd gen safeties are easy to find and should work fine in your 2nd gen pistol.

__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA

If you insist on a right-side-only lever, you could buy an ambi safety as mentioned then grind down the left side lever, leaving only a round button. It would look kinda funny, but it would be possible.

Froggie

You're also going to have to realize that you'll need some way to rotate the safety from the left side to remove/replace the firing pin. Vestigial lever, coin slot or something. I have dim memory that the left lever somewhat shields the detent spring and ball from debris too. Don't be too hasty with the grinder.

WRM, I was thinking of leaving the flange intact (hence my “button“ comment.) I’m estimating that would leave a solid cover to protect the innards on that side. Then to assemble and disassemble what’s left of the unit, I would grind a large screw drive blade to fit the slot on the right end of the shaft... it would also serve as a “pusher” as well as just turning the safety shank to aid in disassembly. The more I think of it, the more practical it sounds. My dad was a “professional left hander”... I often joked that he couldn’t even blow his nose with his right hand. That safety setup would have been ideal on his Model 39-2!

Because of the slide notch, I can’t think of a way to build a slide stop that would be ambidextrous or on the right side for a southpaw. Or perhaps I should say I can’t think of a way not requiring major surgery. I have to say that as my father’s son I tend to gravitate toward ambidextrous controls whenever possible.

Froggie

Froggie, despite being right handed, I've never been able to operate the S&W slide stops without moving my gun hand. I was issued a 1006 from 1992-2006 and always used my other hand thumb to operate the slide stop. OTOH, left handed, my trigger digit worked fine. However, if you do do your surgery, you're going to limit the resale market. Might want to pick up a spare safety to have for restoration.

Been too long since I had a safety out to comment on flange being sufficient to protect the detent area.

Ambi slide stops have their issues. Strength being one, additional mass that can cause slide stop early being another. Same thing with many extended slide stops.