Shooting the 15-22 Left Handed

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Charlie Foxtrot

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I'm considering purchasing a 15-22. I shoot from both the left and right sides. My question is assuming I purchase a 15-22 with the newer parts and factory modifications (blue springs, etc) and that I shoot the rifle left handed, are there any issues that I should be concerned about, such as brass, hot gas, or powder hitting me in the face?

I tried firing a circa 1980 Ruger 10/22 left handed, and hot gases hit me in the face.

I am looking for recommendations on a semi-auto 22 lr that can be used lefty and righty. Unfortunately, there are no rental ranges nearby. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
I shoot left-handed and have had no problems at all with hot brass, powder etc. I have also flipped the safety selector on mine so I can operate it with my left thumb. Overall I am very happy with my choice.
 
Brass can hit your right arm depending on the positioning, but it's never been an issue.

Always wear safety glasses and hearing protection and you shouldn't have any issues.
 
I was a little concerned about this issue before making my purchase, too. I shoot the 15-22 left handed all day long with no issues at all. I don’t even get spent casings on the arms, although I believe hot brass getting stuck on inconvenient body parts makes you a better shooter. My range master used to put hot brass down our shirt backs while we were qualifying.
 
I had a buddy shoot it for the first time last week lefty, he didn't have any problems with it.
 
I am right handed but left eye dominant so shoot rifles left handed - No worrries, go for it :)
 
I have had a couple of hot shells hit my arm too (one even left a nice mark). Otherwise, no problems going southpaw here either.
 
A "mark" from hot brass is a badge of honor. Just don't get too many of them, it will look like you have freckles.........
 
joestrauss said:
how did you move the safety switch over
Click to expand...

Turn the safety 45 degrees (1/2 way between safe and fire) and it will push out. Flip it around, push it in.

You may need to remove the grip since the 15-22's safety lever is notched out in the center of the post and you won't be able to get the right side over the detent pin if there's spring pressure on it.

It takes 2 minutes and the hardest part is getting the grip on and off without losing or mangling the springs, but you can watch one of Brett's videos for a visual on that.
 
Left handed accessories

I shoot left handed as well, and wondered if anyone has had any luck finding fully left handed parts tailored for the 15-22. If possible, I would like to upgrade to a left handed/ambi:
-Charging handle
-Mag release
-Safety (already swapped it around, looking for something other than plastic)
Anyone have any suggestions?
 
Last edited:
Both my son and I are left-eyed shooters. No problem at all. If you use the mag as a holder with your right hand, you'll need to be alittle careful not to let your right thumb impede the brass ejection otherwise I've found no issue shooting lefty with the 15-22. I actually prefer the safety in the stock position as a lefty.
 
Same here for all my long guns. Lefty shooter, left eye dominant, never any issues. I'm used to controls where they are and have adapted.

I once had a lefty Remington 700 and couldn't get used to the bolt on the left side. I sold it to a lefty friend and he found the same thing and sold it to someone else.

Wear safety lenses and long sleeves if you have any concerns. Do the former regardless.
 
Thanks for starting this thread and Thanks for the information from everyone.

Got my grand daughter a pink 15-22 a few weeks ago; she is a lefty; havent shot it yet and I was concerned that it was going to be an issue. Even thought about having her try my black one first to see if it was going to be an issue. Hers has not been fired and would command a higher resale value if there was an issue.
Bill
 
I think she'll be fine. I've never had an issue using the 15-22 and I'm a lefty. Like a lot of things we lefties have to get used to, we just get used to the controls on AR's being placed for righties, but after a while you don't even notice the difference.

Just make sure she wears some glasses to be safe against a possible wayward ejection and she'll be fine.
 
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