Ambidexterity Revisited

by
posted on December 2, 2014
wiley-clapp.jpg

In this forum, I recently broached the subject of ambidextrous pistols. Many readers wrote with their comments, but some missed the point. A pistol that is configured for primarily right-handed shooters is not ambidextrous if the maker includes a magazine catch that can be reversed. That essentially makes a left-handed gun. All considerations of cleverly worked-out drills that permit a shooter to run a wrong-sided gun are extremely interesting, but don't have much to do with the major point. Service and personal-defense autos need to be arranged with identical tactical controls on each side. If the pistol has a DAO trigger system, there is no decocker, so all it needs are a slide lock and a magazine catch-on each side. Some pistols also have a manual safety on the left side and that would also be needed on the right.

The Rangemasters at Gunsite always start the first shooting session with a new class by identifying any left-handers in the group. These shooters are grouped together on the firing line, so the left-handed handling drills that are to be taught are concentrated in one location. If all guns were ambidextrous, this might not be so necessary. Also, it's important to understand that the ambidextrous pistol is not there to please left-handed shooters. Rather, it is to offer a gun for all shooters that is more efficient for a greater variety of situations. I have done reviews on a several new autos recently and more often those guns are ambidextrous.

Latest

Taurus Deputy Rifleman Review 1
Taurus Deputy Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Taurus Deputy

Recently, Taurus USA introduced a throwback in the form of its Deputy, a single-action revolver that would be more at home during the days of the Old West than in 2025.

New For 2025: Canik Mete MC9 Prime

Based on Canik's popular Mete MC9 concealed-carry pistol, the MC9 Prime is an entirely upgraded platform that incorporates modifications requested by U.S. consumers.

Rifleman Q&A: Argentinian Auction Piece

"I purchased this .22-cal., six-shot, double-action revolver with a very good bore at auction. The barrel is 1.5" long, octagonal and engraved. Can you tell me more about it?"

The Rifleman Report: Magnificent Milestones

The last major milestone that I remember marking our nation’s founding, the 1976 bicentennial, occurred when I was a high schooler, a year before I enlisted in a nearby military academy’s Junior ROTC program.

 

NRA Partners With Specialists To Enhance Hearing Health

Start Hearing and SoundGear have partnered with the NRA to promote hearing health, safety and protection among members.

Bill Bachenberg Elected NRA President, Doug Hamlin Unanimously Reelected as NRA Executive Vice President & CEO

Today, the Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA), elected Bill Bachenberg of Pennsylvania as President of the NRA and Doug Hamlin as NRA Executive Vice President & CEO.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.