Home Forums Hunting & Shooting The Lefty Forum AR-15, is a lefty version more sensible?

You guys that are shooting AR style platforms, You feel any pros or cons with left handed or right-handed versions?

Any reason not to look for a lefty or no big deal?

Just curious about your thoughts.

I had a Stag LH model. I sold it when the last AR shortage happened. When I decided to get another (after the prices came back to earth) I went with a standard RH upper. I don't feel it's a big deal, an ambi safety is cheap and easy if you want it.

I just got my first AR . StagLH I have other physical issues (besides being a lefty !)and I would not have got it if I had to get a RH one !I like that port and brass away from my face !

similar to my thoughts.

I own 2 lefty Stags. Great rifles. I sold all my RH AR's when Stag started making these. I hate looking at an ejection port. Besides, a lefty should buy one just because a company spent the effort to develop something us lefty's asked.

Well stated...

My first ARs were right handed because left handed were harder to find in stock and cost a good bit more. Lately Stag has had some sales with left hand the same price so I bought one.For the reasons listed above a lefty is so much nicer.If I can do it without a big loss I'm going to go lefty on my other ones.I wonder if the people who always say just buy a right are left handed and have ever shot a left handed AR.

Stag, Rock River and who else makes Lefty's?

My bud has a righty RRA, damn thing is as accurate has my bolt 700 .223

Three AR's. All RH. I tend to flip rifles, like the AR I have posted now. Figure the RH uppers will be easier to move. As noted above, just install Ambi safeties. Done...

IIRC RRA requires a proprietary lower, Stag uses the "standard" lower. Not sure about anyone else out there.

Yes and yes.
If the thought of the ejection port on the right bothers you, then by all means go lefty, I've just never found it to be a problem. Unless they've changed, the lowers are still basically RH unless you add LH/ambi pieces. I haven't even bothered to add LH/ambi safeties to the 2 ARs I have now, I find the standard RH lever just as easy to use, but then I'm not a competition or tactical type shooter.

I had a left hand Stag 6HL and sold it. I prefer the right handed AR's personally, for some of the reasons stated by others.

Good point.

I'm quick to buy LH specific stuff, but I don't see where the AR ejection port is not LH. As long as the doesn't blow up, being able to see into it from the left makes it LH'd. This came up when Mossberg brought out so-called LH 500s. I'm pretty sure that is a RH gun.

Really, I'm more interested in ambidextrous fighting guns. A KelTec RDB with a suppressor on it is where I'd go if I didn't already have a stable full of AR15s. If you want an AR, get an Aero Precision set up for ambidextrous use.

Same for me, a 223 and a 6.8. More than satisfied.

I’ve 2 stag ar15’s.

But have Raptor(?) ambi charging handles.

Never shot a Rh gun, so can’t compare.

I have a full Stag LH 5.56 and I've built a RH 300 BO upper for it. Also built a RH Aero Precision AR-10. I actually prefer the RH eject on the upper. The brass ejection doesn't bother me and if something is wrong, the RH port is easier for us lefties to observe. I put an ambi safety and charge handle on the RH Aero Precision and I'm good to go.

I agree.

Kinda thought we might be more unanimous in this ........

You guys are killing me.........

Rightys have so many more options and manufacturers to chose from......

I'll hold off a bit, need to shoot my Sons and then go window shopping......

Appreciate the advice guys......

I shoot left handed. These are what I use:



The more important piece of the puzzle is having the ambi controls. I prefer the raptor type charging handles, the BAD lever, and ambi safeties. You'll notice these are set up in an identical fashion, even my AR10 has a BAD lever, but I went with a Griffin Armament ambi charging handle instead of the raptor because it's beefier. All my rifles use the Armaspec ambidextrous safety. Shown in the pic below:


Here's a pic of the type of charging handle I prefer. This is a Noveske badged Raptor:




Here's a good pic of the magpul BAD lever I use:

Stag 8L piston system:

https://imgur.com/a/l8ArU1o

A little heavier than the basic impingement models, but not obnoxious. Not a great market and I paid too much at the time, but it’s distinctly mine!

Good looking rigs, BSA. Tell me about the one in the middle. Do you have any experience with side discharge uppers?

One thing for sure, the Stags can shoot. I took my Varminter .223 to the range to sight in with some left over ammo loaded with Berger bullets. Had two different loads, both with different powders. Thought I would just use it up to sight in the scope. Both loads shot around .30-.35 at 100 yards. Came home from the range and listed my two Savage varmint rifles for sale.

Like all rifles it is easier to shoot the "opposite side" version from the bench. By this I mean a right handed bolt is easier for a lefty to bench because the loading port is easier to reach. I will gladly put up with a little inconvenience to insure nothing will come back and hit me in the face or eyes.

All this talk is making me think I might need a LH Stag...

The stags do shoot well. If i were going to buy another lefty, id buy a stag again.

RH forward assist is LH, too. Not that the thing is useful for much, but you can sure hit it with your LH thumb easily. Most of the time, you might as well have a slick side upper and not bother with forward assist. The one time I have used it is when quietly chambering a round.

The thing is that I have had varying success getting the bolt to go home over the round smoothly enough to be quiet, no matter how I do it. Either you get lucky or learn to tune the bolt. I have not completely learned yet!

I'm against side charging uppers as one of the benefits of the AR is that it can be a sealed system when carrying it around. This makes it extremely reliable.

'nother thing is I haven't decided if an ambi safety is the thing. Taking a RH safety off is about the same as the other to me. 45 degree ambi safeties with a short one of the off side seems best so far.

Building AR uppers is easier than lowers once you spend the $100 on tools.

OSU, the one in the middle in the pic is my Noveske. It has a 20" 1 in 8 twist heavy/varmint stainless barrel. Everything on the upper is Noveske and built by Noveske.. The lower is also Noveske, but I built it. She's pretty sweet and a great shooter. I feel guilty though, as I don't shoot it much... It's a great rifle though, thanks for asking...

You do.

One of the two i have is the Varmint model. 6?
Bull barrel. It’s not light. But shoots great.

Other one is an 8 maybe. GndMtn was going out of biz.

Will a LH upper work with any standard lower?

Yes it will..

Is there a certain company you LH Stag users recommend to shop?

That is the cool part of an AR15 for me. Less than 2 minutes to change uppers to change chamberings. Also, did my first barrel swap a few weeks ago. Fairly simple if you pay attention.

Also interested in this question....

Looking at LH uppers less barrel, there was a mention of barrel lock up not being chamfer,d for LH bolt carrier ? And the need for a LH barrel extension?

So I want to use my existing barrel and handguard and change out my upper to LH and have bolt lock up work.

I am left-handed and course grained enough that I do not put up with right hand guns unless absolutely necessary. I am a lifelong California resident and on July 1, 2016, our former governor, Jerry Brown, convinced me to buy two AR-15 rifles by signing a bill that outlawed sale of un-neutered AR-15 rifles. The next day I ordered two left-hand Stag Arms (3L and 6L). I am very happy with the way they shoot. I also like the hot brass going away from me.