South Paws

[Punisher102]

Lets show a hands of all you lefties out there that have a TSW in your arsenal...

Now lets see how many of you know that you can change the mag release to the other side of the frame with ease....

I gotta tell you, one of the reasons I bought the 4013 was the ambidextrous safety/de-cocker lever. But being a lefty and using autos made for the other half of the world. It was nice to get one that I could at least take the safety off it with my left thumb. But the guys that designed the TSW (and most of the 3rd gens Ive seen) have made it so you can switch the mag release to the other side and use your left thumb to drop the mag.

Not only that, but its easy as heck to do it!!

***This is what I did. Do this at your own risk. I can not be held responsible for your mistakes!!!***

I just remove the grip(s?)
Use a small jewelers screwdriver set, pushed the lill retaining plunger down and unscrewed the button. Be careful NOT to launch that retaining pin!!!

Take the pin and spring out, the mag catch should fall thru.

Flip the frame and put everything back together as you removed them. AGAIN, be careful NOT to launch the pin and or spring!!!

If your button does not want to unscrew, put a dab of oil on it and let it sit over night. That should free it up.

There ya have it, you can now drop the mag with your left thumb like the gun was made for you.

As for the TSW part, S&W notes this as part of the TSW line (among other things) but looking at other 3rd gen guns, it looks like they too can be switched.

Just look at your button, and then the other side. If they look like this, (Pics WERE of Slustan83 1076 Hope he doesnt mind me using his pics)


Then you should be able to swap it.

Looks like Slustan83 didnt like me using his images... Could have asked me to remove them.

 

[40cal]

+ 1 punisher, I swaped my 4003 mag button after the first range trip/function check. I did lose the magazine catch plunger for about a day till I found it across the room. But after a month I switched it back to the "other side", since this is my only pistol with an ambi button it just didnt feel right. Ive spent my life using either my trigger or middle finger to drop the mag, just easier to keep all my pistols on the left side. It is cool the TSW folks were thinking about lefties.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

Count me in! I've got a 4006 and should have a 4013 tsw 3rd gen by the end of the week. As a leftie I find the ambi decocker a delight; the mag release hasn't been an issue once I got familiar with it on the 4006. What's my best bet for a holster. I use the 4006 as a farm gun and will use the 4013 tsw for cc. Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Detective_Special]

mag release

I have to agree with 40cal. Having shot 1911's, Smiths and Glock's, I'm very comfortable using my trigger finger to manipulate the mag release. From my experience it's even easier on the Smiths, as the mag release is lighter than other manufacturers. I had read somewhere by "Massad Ayoob" that the industry standard was about 8lbs. pressure, but on the Smiths they are closer to 4lbs.

 

[WNC Seabee]

I'm with the crowd that has gotten used to using my trigger finger for the release. My XD has an ambi-release and I don't think I've ever used the one on the starboard side.

 

[Punisher102]

Count me in! I've got a 4006 and should have a 4013 tsw 3rd gen by the end of the week. As a leftie I find the ambi decocker a delight; the mag release hasn't been an issue once I got familiar with it on the 4006. What's my best bet for a holster. I use the 4006 as a farm gun and will use the 4013 tsw for cc. Any suggestions are appreciated.

the only suggestion for a holster I can make, is make your own. It really isnt that hard. tandy leather had everything I needed. However, I didnt like their spring metal belt clips so I picked a couple at that last gun show.

The one I made for IWB makes things really thick in the waist. What I really like for IWB is I believe Uncle Mikes. I picked one up at Gander Mountian for like 15 bucks. Its got a hell of a clip, even tho it plastic, and the material is really thin. The only draw back is my body shape... I really like a bit more material between me and the beaver tail. I cant find that material anywhere to make my own.

But for a OWB holster, the leather ones ive made work great. No tooling on them, but thats the way I like it. and they are wet formed to the 4013tsw. I have posted pics of them on here somewhere.


As for you guys that "got use to" using your trigger finger,,, yeah me too, with the 1911 from Uncle Sam... but since I own this one, and its mine, I went for it and swapped it. I gotta admit, it takes a couple mag changes to get use to it, but I really dont even notice it anymore.
Give it a try. I bet you'll like it too. And by some chance you dont, swap it back.

Ohh back to the holster. Tandy is having a sale on pre stamped (not tooled) holsters and shoulder rigs. Im thinking of picking them up... Never had a shoulder rig before,,, but I was gonna make a holster like the one they have on sale. Here is a pic of it..
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home/44454-00.aspx?feature=Product_14 i am hoping that I can wet form it to the gun and still keep the belt holes lined up..

 

[Kevin G]

Another lefty that's adapted to the R/H world.
Got a lefty Penn reel once and couldn't use it!
Kevin

 

[Ole Coot]

I adapted but dislike the taste of brass. The Beretta Cougar 8045 is just about perfect for a lefty carry auto.