Shooting an AR left handed?

[Sandstrom]

I am looking at an AR pistol, specifically the new one from Colt. They offer two versions, the M4 and the M5. The M4 has standard controls, the M5 has completely ambidextrous controls. Not sure if it is worth the extra $300 for the M5 variant? My youngest son is right handed, left eye dominant and shoots left handed, what is the general census on lefties shooting AR platforms? What would you do in this situation? One other thing to consider but I am not 100% sure on this, but I think the M5 version has a better forearm attachment, more like a monolithic?

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[BAKPAKR]

I shoot regular ARs and just swap out whatever comes with them for a Colt reversible selector switch on the right side. I am not too worried about the bolt release or mag release.

 

[benconfused]

No issue here, I’m a lefty and left eye dominant. Just sucks to smell more of the gas.

However, there are left side ejection uppers on the market.

I really like gibbz arms a lot. Would make a fun build for the two of you if you wanted to go that route.

Ultimately what matters most is training and getting familiar with whatever path he goes down.

 

[Cherokeeguide]

My youngest son is right handed, left eye dominant and shoots left handed, what is the general census on lefties shooting AR platforms?

I am right-handed, left-eye dominant and shoot my non-ambidextrous AR-15 A4 from the left shoulder with no issues.

Edited to add: Well, no issues other than some gas in my face, as a prior respondent noted, but I like the smell, so not something I get wrapped around the axle over.

 

[lhbackcountry]

Stag Arms offers lefty upper and lower options. I picked one up and it has been solid.

 

[WoodlandCritter]

I'm left handed, left eye dominant. Getting ambi controls is a bad idea for free, but especially not worth 300$. Running a right handed AR left handed is 99% as fast and easy. The bolt release can be hit with your strong hand index finger and you hit the mag release with your weak hand thumb. The only control worth getting ambi as a southpaw is the safety, which is a 15$ part, not 300$.

If you get used to having all ambi controls as a lefty and ever have to pick up a standard AR, you're gonna be suffering from all kinds of terrible training scars.

 

[DuckDawg22]

Another left eye dominant, right hander shooting all long guns lefty. All of my ARs are righty and I just throw Radian safeties on so I can actuate from both sides. I put G$ maritime bolt releases on but have found ambi mag releases to be a waste of time and money, none of them work worth a damn. You just reach for the release with your thumb as you're changing mags. Like anything, you can become competent with practice.

In the infinitesimal chance of a true SHTF scenario, I want to be able to pick up any AR I find and feel comfortable using it, as would I want my guns to be able to be used by right handed friends and family. I know I know, tin hats and such

 

[06 SB]

I am right handed and left eye dominant. I initially learned to shoot a bolt left handed. I eventually learned to shoot right handed as well when I started hunting with flintlocks. Now I can go either way without thinking about it. This also makes some hunting shots much easier. I would teach him to shoot an AR right handed. He can do it but will take some practice though.