Mine ejects it's brass slightly up and out at from 1-2 o'clock. You Tube has videos of leftys shooting them w/o problems.
The design "should be retired ?". I've owned and hunted the Remington and Browning semi auto rifles. I've played around with the AR style guns as well. For my hunting needs, the M1A has properties that neither the Remington or Browning semi autos have. They will run a long time w/o much care even under bad conditions. They are easier to make follow up shots and they handle more naturally when I shoot from field positions.
In spite of their high costs, they have something to offer those who understand them. E
