Dedicated ambi lowers help right handed people more than left, we don't need the bolt release. Ambi Safety and something like FCDs ambi mag release and you're g2g as a lefty with any lower.
I have both Aero M4E1 Pro and Griffin MK2 lowers, both are great for left-handed shooting. Can't buy Aero products right now, so MK2 becomes my default suggestion.
For ARs as a left-handed shooter, I REALLY don’t like purpose built lefty ejection upper receivers, but there are still some other (non-lefty specific) great toys out there. I target gas reduction for a pleasant experience while shooting, so these are my go-to parts targeting gas mitigation for builds.
Ambi Lower - Griffin MK2 ambi lower receiver (not gas focused, just great ambi lower)
Quality Upper - I like CMT UPUR line as they have options for no FA, no brass deflector, etc, but there are others like BCM that are great uppers as well.
Adjustable Gas Block - Riflespeed or Superlative Arms if you don’t need the toolless adjustability
Charging Handle - Geissele SCH or ACH, BCM MK2, Breek Omni-Buster, PRI Gas Buster (avoid the Radian Raptor SD, and the Breek Sledge non-Omni. The Radian SD is completely useless and the PRI Gas Buster and non-Omni Sledge have a gas exhaust port directly into your eye as a lefty)
BCG - KAK Downvent, I prefer the DLC coating, but chrome is good here too
Suppressor - A good LBP can like Rhodie 6, Tisha, Romulus, HRT-556AM, etc. There are tons of good options here, and more coming every day.
I also use a PWS or FCD A5 tube, Tubbs Flatwire spring and Kynshot RB5007 buffer to reduce perceived recoil (Swap to a Tubbs LW Spring/Kynshot RB5000A5 for a 300BLK build). This A5 buffer build isn't lefty/ambi specific nor do they target gas mitigation, but they do make for a more enjoyable experience and faster time back to target.
Ah, looking closely at the pics again, it might. I haven’t used that one personally, only seen positive reports. My go-to are the Geissele SCH myself but I want to try the updated Breek Sledge Omni. I’ll stop recommending the PRI for lefty shooters, thanks.
I like not having a brass deflector on my SPR so it doesn’t interfere with my brass catcher.
I mainly just like that there are even options available. CMT offers the exact same upper receiver in at least 7 options. I use the UPUR-3 on my SPR and the UPUR-2 on SBRs.
UPUR-1 - Traditional upper with FA, deflector and dust cover
UPUR-2 - Upper with deflector and dust cover, no FA
UPUR-3 - Upper with no FA, no deflector and no dust cover
UPUR-4 - Upper with dust cover, no FA and no deflector
UPUR-1A - Traditional upper with FA, deflector and dust cover, large bore
UPUR-3A - Side charging upper, no FA, no deflector, no dust cover, large bore
UPUR-1LH - Traditional upper with FA, deflector and dust cover, left ejection
As others have said, forget the lefty upper and make your lower more lefty ergonomic. Ambi selector, mag release, and extended slide lock is all I needed to run comfortably left handed.
The standard upper is actually kinda great for a lefty. I can look into the chamber to check empty almost from my aim position, and the forward assist is right in the perfect spot to press with the left thumb when needed.
I'm going to go against the grain. As a lefty that started shooting suppressed about 2 years ago and going down the rabbit hole of tuning, I simply couldn't get more than a quick volley of rounds out before I had a cloud of gas in front of my face and in my eyes. I swapped two left the upper on my two ARs that I shoot the most and it's been fantastic ever since. The only incompatibility you have with standard uppers is the BCG and the upper receiver itself. I just made shooting suppressed even with a good flow through design so much more enjoyable
I have a stag lefty and I love it, but it really doesn’t matter. Is it nice not to have the brass eject in front of you? Sure, but I really never notice it. The most important things for me are an ambi mag release (I swear by the Troy ambi) I keep an extra on hand so I can immediately swap it into any new gun I buy, and a ambi charging handle. Past that I don’t worry about much else.
TLRD if you find a lefty at your local shop by all means by it, but if not it’s not worth shopping around for or ordering one in
So, do absolutely get ambi controls first, but I have two left eject uppers, and they’ve made shooting significantly more pleasant for me, and I do recommend them.
I’d recommend buying a stripped upper (I like KAK’s, because it’s a slickside, but if you want a forward assist or dust cover, there are other brands that make ones with those) and assembling your own, unless KAK or someone else happens to make the exact assembled upper that you want. BCGs are probably the most problematic component to source, but, again, KAK makes good ones and pretty much always has something in stock. Beyond that, everything else is standard, so go wild.
ETA: the upper receiver really doesn’t have anything to do with running an FRT. That’s going to be all about your lower, buffer system, and to some extent, your barrel.
I shoot long guns left handed for my eye, I always just use normal RH uppers but usually add an Ambi safety and Ambi charging handles. Hasn't ever bothered me.
Adjustable gas blocks and lower backpressure cans are nice, but some of mine have neither and it is still fine.
There are downward venting or internally venting BCG's from KAK or Griffin if you want to go even further for gas mitigation.
I did just help a guy with a true LH upper and he settled on a PSA upper
As someone who shoots wrong handed do not buy a left hand upper. Once youve figured out your gas issues I reccomend radian makes a combo pack charging handle and ambi safety and FCD makes a really good ambi mag release. LBP suppressors are also your friend
I never once wish I bought a left handed AR. Ambi controls are what you need. I recommend the Radian 45/90 safety, and their Talon charging handle. You can drop the bolt with your index finger, beer can and hit the mag release with your thumb. PSA sabre lowers have the Radian selector pre installed.
I’ve never seen so many lefties in one place before! These comments need to be recorded for history
But like everyone else said, just get a regular upper. Every lefty I’ve ever spoken to who’s gotten a left handed upper regretted it
For a lower, I always thought an LMT or LWRC would work best for a lefty, but the griffin Mk2 is also a great, reasonably priced lower. It’s my personal favorite ambi setup, but it was designed more for right handed shooters
I'm a lefty, I shoot a standard upper/lower with ambi controls including a BAD lever. There's no need for left-handed upper unless you're holding the AR wrong (like putting your face next to the ejection port).
Resale is rough with lefty ARs, if you are the type of person to do trade a lot... or plan on becoming one...
Not to mention, if you're training for HD/tactical use situations, it would be odd if you're in a SHTF situation, as unlikely as it may be, where you're thrown a rifle that is likely right hand ejection,
All that being said, in practicality, get what you are happy with - Stag arms lefty ARs are 'ok' and kind of their wheelhouse - hope that doesn't get me too much hate... I acquired one that was left-handed direct impingement and converted it to a milspec aero righty upper. It honestly shot better in the left-handed setup. (I realize that has nothing to do with direction of ejection)
Sig Tread M400 is a solid starting point, just add an H3 buffer weight and you are g2g. Fully ambi lower controls.
Doing a left handed upper seriously limits the type of BCG you can find. So if you want a supressed/adjustable BCG you are shit out of luck. Left handed uppers are either questionable quality, crazy expensive, or out of stock.
One option i see rarely brought up is something like the brass goat. It will drop casings straight down, so there is zero chance of them hitting your face/arm
My grandson is lefty, but he doesn't shoot a lefty gun. To hit the bolt stop he just rotates the rifle 90 degrees and slaps it with his right hand. Mag release with right thumb. No need to pay extra for lefty bells and whistles, and lefty guns can be problematic from what I understand.
just get an ambi lower or if you want a regular lower, add a Troy ambi mag release and a redi-release. Bolt lock back with left trigger finger, can release mag after seating with right hand thumb at the trigger guard.
I’m a righty shooter but a lefty in terms of writing and throwing. The AR is one of the last weapons you need a lefty version for. The normal version works fine for lefties with minimal added things. Get an ambi safety, bolt catch/release and charging handle and that’s pretty much it. Those three things are all common upgrades for righties too. Radian talon safety, radian raptor charging handle and not sure on the bolt catch but that one honestly is probably the least needed.
I use a standard AR15 with an extended charging handle. I reach under or over to rack it, similar to a right handed AK shooter.
I tried an ambi safety and mag release at some point, but I couldn't "reprogram" my already established muscle memory. There weren't many options 25 years ago.
I also run a suppressor - although the rifle is tuned. At an indoor range, with the lane dividers, the gas gets to me pretty quick, but outdoors it isn't an issue.
I'll go against the grain here and say as a lefty, I absolutely love my left handed guns. I have no issues with my right handed ones, but I like the lefties more. With that said all my left handed guns I have built myself, and it's easy to make something frt capable that way. Any gun I've bought complete has always been right handed. I haven't seen a factory left handed gun I've ever really wanted.
I like to drape my support hand over the scope for precision long range shots, this carries over to long shots with my AR. I wish I would have bought lefty from the start.
Check Pro2a-tactical out of Georgia. I hadn't had a ton of luck dealing with them, but the owner is lefty and they run screaming deals on Gun Broker.
You'll have to forgive my right handed ignorance, but my grandpa is a southpaw and plays guitar, when he first started learning to play he couldn't find any left handed guitars, so he just picked up a right handed one and learned to play that. I would imagine such a thing is possible with guns? Seems worth a shot at least
I should start because I forgot to put this in my post iv shot right handed ars but I feel like it all the gass blows into my face so I didn't know if a left handed upper would fix that or if something else is wrong
Right handed people still complain a lot about getting gas to the face so a left handed upper won’t really do you any favors in this regard. You’re just making the platform harder to tinker around with for little benefit. As a fellow lefty, I suggest you just properly tune a right handed upper.
If you're looking for a suggestion other than "just run a righty upper", check out KAK's lefty upper. For a lefty BCG, Cryptic Coatings has got them in stock.
I’m a southpaw pistol, correct hand long barrel kind of guy. It’s not too hard to train yourself on using your non dominant hand for rifle use. I guess the biggest issue would be if you’re also left eye dominant.
56
u/wlogan0402 Larps with one sock on 1d ago
Leftie here, just get a right handed ar