Best CC semi auto handgun for southpaw shooter is...?

I'd like opinions on this subject please. I may or may not go this route as I love my 649-3, but semi autos intrigue me and ones built specifically for rightys stop me cold. My RM380 has taken over pocket duty and I love the controls- DAO, no safety (except long DAO), always ambi mag release. I don't want it to become primary carry because of the caliber, although it's way better than my NAA .22mag was (in my opinion). So, what works for leftys? Thanks.

Stay safe, John

Kahr K9. DAO, stainless, and reliable enough for the NYPD. I actually like mine better than my 3913. They also make plastic (er, polymer) framed
models, but I've not used them.

I'm not a lefty, but a recent stroke has affected my right hand, and I've been using my other one.

Richard

Beretta Nano 9 mm

H&K P7M8. A little heavy. Pretty expensive. Totally ambidextrous. Totally reliable. Extremely accurate. An amazing design. A masterpiece of engineering.

I'm a lefty and my favorite carry handgun is an FNP9. It has been replaced by the FNX. DA/SA with de-cock and ambi mag release. It is avail in 9, 40 and 45. For me it pushes all the right buttons.

i'm a fan of the XDS. not totally ambi, but mag button is. you can never go wrong with HK, as all their guns are ambi.

I'm a lefty and pocket carry the no laser Smith M&P .380 along with a Glock 17 Gen 3.

Sig 250 or 320. Available in many calibers and several different frame sizes. All have a safety that can be set up for a lefty and all have ambidextrous slide locks, if that is important to you.

Thanks folks! That is plenty to research and search for. Scouring the net can be daunting and to time consuming if you don't have direction. Plus summertime is not the time to sit in front of a computer (for me).

Stay safe, John

LVSteve said:

Sig 250 or 320. Available in many calibers and several different frame sizes. All have a safety that can be set up for a lefty and all have ambidextrous slide locks, if that is important to you.

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I recently purchased a slightly used 2nd model p250 in 45acp and it has replaced mt Glock 23 for primary EDC. It is the smoothest DAO handgun I have ever handled, and for me it has also replaced my previous need for a 1911 type handgun. It's lighter, with 10 rounds in the holster and shoots like a dream. Takes a little time to get used to the longer trigger pull, but I think you'll like it, as smooth or smoother than an S&W revolver fired DA. And I'm a lefty!

I am a lefty and the M&P Shield 9mm works fine for me.

I am a lefty and I like the P320 carry 9mm when my wife lets me carry it - otherwise I carry an M&P45

But, I am a full size service type gun guy figuring if I have to draw it I want the gun that has the most bullets of a given caliber I can get - be it 9 mm or 45 acp

John, what is is about right handed (traditional) semi autos that stops you cold? Serious question!

So, I'm a lefty....big time. I even switch forks and knives constantly when eating something that requires a knife. Like I'll hold the food with the fork in my right hand and cut with the left. Then switch the fork to the left hand and eat the switch again and repeat. From time to time I used to catch myself swapping an empty gun from left to right hand in order to reload a fresh mag, then swap back to shoot. Don't do that anymore but you get the idea.

I find that when it comes to guns there are very few that I need to be left hand friendly. Mainly the 1911 and Hipower for obvious reasons. All other guns....if I own an ambidextrous (which I have a few) it's because I like the gun itself and not because of the controls.

Mag release I find easier to do with my middle finger. Even when I had a M&P 9 and I swapped the mag release I would have to break my grip to use my thumb. Kept in the original configuration. ...I just move my middle finger to the release with almost no gip break (depending on the handgun).
The slide release I just slingshoot. It works on every semi auto the same way and I don't have to remember which one is in my hand.

My daily carry is a Glock and most of my semi autos would be considered not lefty friendly. I have Glocks, Sigs and HK.

If you want a true ambidextrous gun.
-HK P30/P2000/VP9. Completely ambidextrous. And the slide release is a slide release not a slide stop. It comes all the way back to your thumb. But HKs are not cheap and funky triggers with a dozen variations. Either love it or hate it.

-Walther PPQ. the V2 has a push button release instead of the typical German paddle

-S&W M&P. Their slide release is technically a slide stop and can be a little hard to depress sometimes

-FN FNX and possibly the FNP

-Beretta PX

- Springfield XD has ambidextrous mag release

-Sig 320

I know not all of these are DAO or even hammer fired but narrowing to only left hand guns severely limits your options. I'm just listing what I remember as being ambidextrous. Out of those the only hammer fired are the HK P30 and HK P2000. FNX and Beretta.

"Best" will be whatever it is that you like and however you judge. To me "best" is reliability. I can get used to everything else with training. No use having a good feeling gun that isn't reliable.


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I have 2 H&K USP models that are TOTALLY set up for lefties -- not a pocket pistol; although the Compact fits in a large coat pocket.

Larry from Bend said:

I have 2 H&K USP models that are TOTALLY set up for lefties -- not a pocket pistol; although the Compact fits in a large coat pocket.

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This is actually a good point. What do you consider being set up for lefties? The USP are great guns, I have 4 of them!! But they may not fit your definition of lefty. They have a ambi mag release and a large slide release but that's on the left side of the gun. To use it a lefty would need to use his trigger finger or slingshoot.

Are you looking for a complete ambidextrous gun or just one with ambi mag release?

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I'll second the H&K VP9.

It's an ambidextrous setup with a slide lock lever release on the right side that's very easy to operate. The mag release is also easy to handle. It has the smoothest trigger out of the box than any striker fired pistol I've ever handled.

The only downside to the VP9, is that it's size makes it more a "service" pistol than a concealed carry gun. Mine has about 400 rounds through it without any type of failure, and I've run a variety of FMJ and HP ammo through it.

I guess I really don't know what I'm looking for... I am actually right handed but have always shot left handed. A very elderly shooting coach tried to cure me of it when I was a lad in a muzzle loading competition. He made me shoot right handed for the match and I took 2nd when I absolutely knew I could have won shooting left handed. Being right handed, my left hand is not as coordinated as my right. I have to put more thought into actions I have to perform left handed, if that makes sense. So simple is good. Slide release? Slingshot for me. Mag release? I really like the ALWAYS ambi mag release on my RM380 because in a pinch I can shoot either way. I have liked the euro paddle release on guns I've handled with it. I also don't carry on the waist, in or outside the waist band. I am a tradesman and tools/tool belt goes on my waist. Feels to much like work. I adopted the Kangaroo Carry holster for my 649-3 along with a pocket gun in a pocket holster. I tried a Colt Defender with an ambi safety I fitted. Meh..not for me. I like the higher capacity (although here in NY we are limited to 10) and much quicker reload of a semi auto. So I'll look at what has been recommended, see if I can put my hands on the ones that rise to the top of my interests and the the resulting feel in my hands along with everything else factored in will determine my further pursuits. No rush. You all are generous with your time and I thank you.

Stay safe, John

Some of those models may not be available in NY. I don't know if they make 10 round mags for them. The HK P2000 I know does ....or the P2000sk (sub kompact)

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I'm a natural left hander, but with a dominant right eye. Over time (since age 15), I've shot right hand with everything, simply because of my eye dominance. However, a couple of years ago, I had cataract surgery, and the doctor put an implant in which changed that.

I now have a slightly dominant left eye, because it's a bit near sighted compared to my right eye. As such, the pistol sights are a bit more clear. At the range, I shoot both left and right hand, I'm at the point where I can do equally as well with either hand.

I can manipulate my 1911's with the left hand using the native right hand controls. The thumb safety and slide stop release lever can be done just about as easily with the left hand. I can release the magazines with my left index finger.

A lot of the manipulation I've just learned, is unnecessary with the VP9.

I'm a lefty, and the Ruger LCP works great for me.



With an Ambi safety installed, a 1911 is one of my favorites as well.