Lefties & 1911's

[DeltaM]

Curious how hard it is to work the safety left handed.  I'd love to have one (Colt preferably).  Custom prices are kind of $$$. Plus come sale time when I'm heaven bound might be hard to sell.  I can shoot with my right hand about as good as left but am left eye dominate.


I search this site and could only find discussions related to mag release.  I'm more concerned about getting a shot or two off than refilling.  I can deal with, and haven't had a problem with my other guns with accidental mag release.

[tombogan03884]

 Google Randall Arms, they made left handed 1911's. They have been out of business for a while but the pistols are still around. Figure around $2000

[Big Frank]

There are several amdidextrous safeties available. Try Brownells.

[1911 Junkie]

http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=5910.10

[Overload]

As a lefty, this is a topic close to my heart.  Many manufacturers make 1911 with ambi thumb safeties, and many make retrofit (aftermarket) ambi thumb safeties.  A word of warning: there are different designs of ambi thumb safeties for the 1911, and none are 100% perfect, as the 1911 wasn't designed for them.  I like the style with the leg that goes under the right side grip.  

All 1911 I buy new have to have a ambi thumb safety.

As to working a right handed thumb safety, you can't without a serious shift of your grip.  The grip safety is ambi, and the 'trigger safety' is also ambi.

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

 Look at the Randall's, they are pricey, but they are "LEFT HANDED", not Ambi.

[twyacht]

As a lefty who usually has to adapt to a righty world, I had Brownell's ambi safety installed by a gunsmith for my S&W 1911.



It was less expensive than a "left" handed 1911, and I have just gotten used to the mag release with my left trigger finger.

However, the ambi safety IS great. If carried cocked and locked, the ambi is a must for a lefty.

Other pistols I have are also ambi, the M+P can be made totally left handed, and the others have controls on both sides, except for a mag release.

My revolvers, well you just get used to the cylinder swinging outboard, and with practice, "speedloaders" help immensely. Snap caps, and practice, practice, practice. I'm not Jerry Miculek fast, (who is?), but pretty darn quick with my revolvers.

I recommend the book "Natural Superiority of the Left Hander" , by James T. deKay.  

[m25operator]

The ambi-safety is inexpensive, and should be inexpensive to have installed. I usually charge 25 bucks, unless I have to relieve the the right hand grip panel, then 35 bucks. I like Ed Brown the best, but have installed Wilson, Swensen, king's and Chip McCormick parts as well. Brown seems to be the tightest fit overall.

As far as mag release, the 1911 original mag release is perfect for lefties, use your trigger finger to release the mag, and you don't shift your grip to do it, big plus, is if your trigger finger is on the release, it's not going to trip the trigger while slamming a mag home. That's why I install ambi mag releases on my 1911 game guns, as I am right handed.

[DeltaM]

As a lefty who usually has to adapt to a righty world, I had Brownell's ambi safety installed by a gunsmith for my S&W 1911.



It was less expensive than a "left" handed 1911, and I have just gotten used to the mag release with my left trigger finger.

However, the ambi safety IS great. If carried cocked and locked, the ambi is a must for a lefty.

Other pistols I have are also ambi, the M+P can be made totally left handed, and the others have controls on both sides, except for a mag release.

My revolvers, well you just get used to the cylinder swinging outboard, and with practice, "speedloaders" help immensely. Snap caps, and practice, practice, practice. I'm not Jerry Miculek fast, (who is?), but pretty darn quick with my revolvers.

I recommend the book "Natural Superiority of the Left Hander" , by James T. deKay.  

Nice!!  That's what I want.

The safety switch seems like the way to go.  I assume it can be switched back to right hand if and when needed.

I have a Browning 9 mm I bought 25-30 years ago that has somewhat of a 1911 look with a ambidextrous safety.  It is single action.  The safety fits in a notch on the slide when the hammer is cocked.  If the slide is pulled back further it holds it open.

My plinking pistol is a Walther 22.  It has both an ambi safety and mag release.  It has a laser that came with it and is easy to take off.  I don't use the laser much as it has a separate on-off switch.  My favorite bigger gun, a XD .40 has a Crimson trace (no separate switch to fool with).  I bought 1000 cheap 22 LR at some this or that on sale.  They are really weak loads and about every 4th or 5th round doesn't eject.  It cocks and looks OK but tricks me.  It helps to point out faults like flinching.  This gun never misses a lick with CCIs.

I sure wish there was some sort of standardization in autos.  Seems like everyone I have has safety, mag release, will fire with the mag out, won't fire with the mag out, etc., or something different.  I have two conceal carry 'weapons', a 9 mm and my XD that I've committed to memory.  The rest I may fumble a bit.  At least with a wheel gun the business part works pretty much the same way.  There is an 8 shot revolver on the market now.  .357 I believe. 

[twyacht]

As m25 stated accurately, the right hand grip will need some "relief" to accomodate. It is very, minor, but needs to be done correctly.

My Walther PPK/S, which I love, will always be a righty...but I have gotten used to it.

Nice bunch you got there DeltaM. The standardization has evolved for us lefties, to a point,,...but just remember, we will always be of our "right" mind...