southpaw panther?

B

bob maier

New member
I'm a southpaw and I'm looking at getting an AR-15 rifle.It will be used for calling coyotes, so far I have found left hand models from DPMS and stag arms,stag arms has a model 6L that looks good.Wondering what any other left handed shooters use.I have a nice bolt action 22-250 but thinking going to a semi auto would help on quick second or third follow up shots.
 
Stag has some good left handed rifles, but there aren't many models to choose from if you find one you like it should be a good one. I built my AR with a DPMS southpaw upper because I wanted a 20" HBAR which Stag didn't offer. If you have thoughts about putting a lefthand AR upper together from different parts it gets a little complicated. The Stag upper receivers require an ambidextrous barrel extension, DPMS uppers use standard barrels. If I'm not mistaken the Stag bolt carriers are left hand specific and rotate the bolt in the opposite direction. There forward assists are on the left side and the only DPMS southpaw model that has a forward assist is on the right side. This is mine,
HPIM0145.jpg
 
Left hand here, shot wrong handed firearms my whole life. AR's included, no big whoop.

Not to mention, if you ever want to sell or trade, you might end up stuck, with your left handed firearm.
 
Thanks for the replys, I assumed the ejected cases would fly into your face.Note I have never fired an AR-15 style rifle.If thats not a problem you guys just made my day!
 
BTW, If I was to buy another AR. I would buy one that had a "forward assist" feature. As sometimes, a bolt will not completely close shut, from various reasons, = rifle no go bang!

Not only that, but when I get out of my truck & load/chamber a rd, to go in on a coyote. I want "quiet". A forward assist, allows me to chamber a rd, quietly. Then "bump" the assist to [completely close the bolt] on a live rd. Then I'm good to go.

No forward assist. You pull the charging handle back & let it go[normally] to chamber a round. It's loud, doing so.
 
Last edited:
Quote:
You sure do not need a left hand model. Tens of thousands of lefties shoot the regular AR just fine.

Jack



I have to disagree with Jack and a couple of others on this.

My son has been shooting lefty with a RH upper, and from time to time he gets a little "trash" blown onto his face. He hasn't actually complained, but has mentioned this more than once. My theory is....if it's available at reasonable cost, and it is safer (which it definitely is if you can get the exhaust away from your face) then why NOT go ahead and do it? We're in the process of getting him a LH upper, and I'm sure we won't regret it. As far as resale value, that's definitely something to consider, but ANY time you build a "custom" rifle you are facing the same dilemna.

I say go for it if it suits your wallet.
 
Hidalgo, I completely agree. I am a LH shooter and I absolutely hate the blowback and spent brass crossing the end of my nose.
John
 
Trash? I've shot two different R-hand AR's a plenty over 8yrs of T-shooting & Hunting. Never, have I ever noticed or "felt" anything from the ejection port of either rifle.

Spent casings eject out, around the 4:00 position. My cheek is firm on the butt-stock behind my scope. Plenty of margin for safety. BTW, most all my shooting is in head or quartering head winds.
 
I have one of the LH DPMS and one of the LH Stags. Both shoot great but I prefer the shell deflector and dust cover on the Stag and the EOP on the DPMS. Never had a problem shooting a regular AR but the potential exists for a hot gas facial. If it can be avoided, why not?

Besides, it's fun to watch the Rangemasters going down the row looking for cleared actions and come up on your lefty. They always do a double-take!
 
I done some searching on you tube for slow-mo AR shooting. Some videos, did show abit of gas coming from the ejection port. I stand corrected. Hey I learnt sumpin today, LOL!
 
Quote:
I done some searching on you tube for slow-mo AR shooting. Some videos, did show abit of gas coming from the ejection port. I stand corrected. Hey I learnt sumpin today, LOL!



Well.....I wasn't going to argue with you because I've never personally shot one from the "wrong" side. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif

All I can go with is the info he gives me. And he's my boy......so I'm gonna do what I can for him. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Last edited:
while not discounting the fact that you could possibly get some "trash" I have four righthanded AR's and have never noticed this at all. Now I do notice it when I shoot right handed auto shotguns however.I think Byron South is LH also and he shoots righthanded AR's.
 
I tend to lose respect for anyone ALWAYS agreeing with me. Anywho, I reckon I never noticed this "whiff" of port exhaust gas, as my right eye is "almost" always shut. Unless I'm swinging/sighting, on a long range wrong running coyote, LOL!
 
Quote:

he gets a little "trash" blown onto his face.



My Drill Sergeant used to say that was their punishment for being a "Left-Handed Freak of Nature"....
 
i shoot a left handed bolt gun but have a right handed ar and get along great with it plus it should be easier to sell if i ever want, but i've never got to shoot the left ar so there might be alot of difference
 
WRONG SIDE, FREAK OF NATURE, now us lefties may start getting defensive and mentioning that only lefties are in their "right mind". /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Really with a brass deflector a right hand AR can be shot lefthanded without much of a problem. Right hand shooters that shoot my DPMS southpaw without the deflector better not have big ears cause the brass goes right past their face.
 
I have a lefty Stag upper in .223 that I built and a right hand Rock River 458 Socom upper. I prefer the lefty upper but I absolutely have to have an ambi safety. I know a guy who has built 7 Stag lefty uppers and didn't use the ambi barrel extension on any of them. He says he's never had a problem with any of them. Bottom line: it's your gun, use what feels best to you.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top