South Paw Lower?

[keithallenlaw]

Greetings. I'm a SP and recently purchased the Ruger AR15. I finally decided
my Mini-14 wasn't the end all defense weapon so I purchased this rifle.
Sweet gun for the money. You just can't go wrong for the price. Works
excellent right out of the box. But...like I said, I'm a SP and find it
user unfriendly for me. So...

I made a call to my lgs where I purchased, to inquire about SP options.
He tells me instead of finding parts for the safety and mag release is to
just buy a SP lower. Huhh? Really? Is it that difficult to get a SP kit and
switch it out myself? Or find a smith? It's my 1st AR but I'm sure I can
find a tutorial on the web somewhere to walk me through this.
What you fellows think? -keith

 

[22/45 Fan]

I'm a lefty too. Left-handed or ambidextrous AR safety levers are readily available and is a reversed mag release really necessary? On most of my pistols I use my trigger finger to operate the mag release and slide stop and I expect you could do that with an AR also. I would certainly never consider replacing the entire lower.

 

[dfletcher]

Greetings. I'm a SP and recently purchased the Ruger AR15. I finally decided
my Mini-14 wasn't the end all defense weapon so I purchased this rifle.
Sweet gun for the money. You just can't go wrong for the price. Works
excellent right out of the box. But...like I said, I'm a SP and find it
user unfriendly for me. So...

I made a call to my lgs where I purchased, to inquire about SP options.
He tells me instead of finding parts for the safety and mag release is to
just buy a SP lower. Huhh? Really? Is it that difficult to get a SP kit and
switch it out myself? Or find a smith? It's my 1st AR but I'm sure I can
find a tutorial on the web somewhere to walk me through this.
What you fellows think? -keith

I'm right handed but shoot lefty due to being "left eyed". An ambi safety is easily switched out and there are ambi mag releases, ambi charging handle, the BAD lever and a PDQ ambi bolt release, among others. The PDQ requires a bit of work and the "OMIGOD I'll screw up" worry is a bit high when installing, but having it makes things alot easier for me.

 

[keithallenlaw]

Sticking about $500.00 worth of parts on a gun that cost me $570.00 makes real good sense. Thanks guys.

 

[toysoldier]

Ambidextrous controls don't correct the basic problem of shooting a right-handed rifle left-handed. Every right-hand gun is designed to "safely" vent to the right if anything bad happens. This puts it in your face when shooting left-handed. I suggest you trade for one of the real southpaw versions out there.

 

[22/45 Fan]

Just switching to a "southpaw" lower will not correct the problem you describe, having the ejection port on the wrong side. The OP would have to buy an complete new gun, upper and lower, to have a true left-handed rifle.

 

[keithallenlaw]

Hell with that in mind I'd never get to shoot my 10/22's, my mini's, my AK's,
and all of my auto hand guns. I always wear glasses and hope for the best.
I do have my GSR in a left bolt, but see, that's just the catch, left handed
rifles don't hold their demand like their counterparts. Harder sell.

But hey guys, that's a very good point that I'm aware of, but choose to
ignore so I can shoot my mini-14 with an Olive Drab Hogue stock and
an Aimpoint H1 on a forward scout pic rail. Man I love that gun.

Salute gentleman! -keith

 

[steelshooterco]

You can solve the problem b getting the ambi controls for the lower and buying a "lefty" upper receiver assembly, so you get ejection out of the left side of the upper, you will then have a true "lefty" AR.

Several people make the lefty uppers, just pick one with a good reputation and you'll be happy.

 

[AKDRSS]

Just buy a left hand Stag Arms AR and do it right. Both of mine will shoot under 1 MOA at 100 yards.

 

[phonejack]

I've had several AR's. Used to shoot Highpower with them. Never put on any "other side" parts. After awhile I realized I could do a magazine change being sp quicker than the right-handed guys.

 

[dfletcher]

Sticking about $500.00 worth of parts on a gun that cost me $570.00 makes real good sense. Thanks guys.

Not sure where the "$500.00 worth of parts" comes from. The only thing I use on all the ARs I have is the ambi-safety and that costs about $15.00. Whatever works for you I guess.

 

[Jeepnik]

Just buy a left hand Stag Arms AR and do it right. Both of mine will shoot under 1 MOA at 100 yards.

Yep, this is the solution. You know, it's funny how many "shooters" at one of the local ranges just have no clue that Stag lefties exist.

 

[keithallenlaw]

It's like a fellow who served in the military told me.

"The military didn't make no accommodations for me
being left handed".

So I'll stick with that. -keith