Pistol: Suggestions for a southpaw?

So, I'm also a lefty and a pretty avid shooter and have a range of pistols. I think the instructor steered you wrong.

First, if your instructor were correct, no lefty would ever be able to buy a SIG, I defy anyone to hit that slide release with their index finger without being double jointed or dropping the gun or both. (I happen to compete in Production Class in USPSA with a SIG 226, and manage a two handed slide release when I shoot to empty.)

Second, no round clearing drill in the world advocates dropping the slide with the slide release - in fact, many tactical gunners refuse to use the slide release because it is not as certain is dropping the slide with your off hand when you are at slide lock. It's called a "tap and rack" drill.

Third, it will break in with time as your recoil spring wears a bit, and further, as you become a more accomplished shooter tuning your spring sets in the gun is one of the most common easiest to do, cheapest modifications in the world.

Fourth, if you go to the retail side of the shop, not the range side, and try out the slide release on 3 different XDM's it is likely you will be able to drop the slide on at least one of them with your index finger. The force isn't a universal constant and varies a bit gun to gun.

Last, as silly as this sounds, you can make your hands stronger. It actually isn't that hard. The grippers, squeezing on therapy balls all of that can help increase your index finger strength. You can get their in no time.

So, I definitely would NOT let someone tell you that the XD is "not the gun for you" because of that. It's an excellent firearm - I happen to like the XDM quite well, I just don't shoot them terribly well - and a well proven design.

Now, as it turns out there are several guns out there with ambi slide releases. The H&K is probably the most expensive of the bunch, but the M&P and the FNP9 or FNX9 both have slide releases on both sides. Those are the ones I know of off hand, but I think there are others as well.

So, don't be discouraged. Further, if you like the XD or XDM and shoot them well, don't let this be an issue for you. It can be resolved.

Thinkingblade

I'm an NRA-certified firearms instructor. I know lots of gun shop employees, too. I've never met an instructor or employee who wouldn't talk about their personal sidearm and their personal reasons for that choice. I can only think that maybe there is a weird store policy where you are at to prevent someone from complaining about you buying something you didn't like solely because it was the employee's choice. This is a field where everyone wants to give you their opinion. Fact is, most real gun shop employees are armed here and while they will not handle their firearm in the store, you can certainly see what they are packing.

The fact remains that most firearms are NOT ambidextrous. Even those that claim to be will almost invariably leave out the sole exception of - you guessed it - the slide release, not to mention the ejection angle. A very rare Remington Rand left-handed 1911 would cost a fortune and is basically a museum piece these days.

Personally, while there are pistols that claim you MUST use the slide stop to chamber the first round to insure reliability (like the Kahr pistols), the truth is that the slide stop is overrated. You are learning first-hand that sometimes it is just more practical to do whatever you can and just live with it. Especially if you are using a full-size pistol (compacts are the more finicky ones anyway), I wouldn't worry about having to pull back the slide with your right hand to load the pistol.

I also own a Walther P22. While I find that its grip somehow manages to comfortably cram my hand onto it, unlike its Sig Mosquito counterpart which had a horrible grip for me, one thing to keep in mind is that most pistols that don't have grip safeties (like the XD, XD(m), and 1911) have available a grip pad like the Hogue Hand-All that can sometimes turn a small grip into a perfect grip. It might be worth looking in to if you otherwise like a certain pistol.

I'm not left-handed, so just can't speak from personal experience, just observations over the years. What a shame that a left-handed female "instructor" that could have really helped you was such a snot. I'm thinking she was actually unexperienced and covering it up.

Who told you the "springs are new and therefore tight" excuse? It sounds like a salesman pitch to sell something after someone has complained about it. Don't buy it if it isn't how you want it NOW. Never expect it to get better and maybe verify every other thing that salesman told you, too. Springs have specific spring-rates for a reason. They actually need replacing when they wear out and get weaker.

If you really liked the Springfield Armory XD(m), it is a very fine pistol. If your carpal tunnel (if this is the same woman) allows you to shoot it well, and more importantly, load/unload/cycle it well, you will have made a good choice. The XD is very similar, though the XD(m) has a few nice upgrades and is significantly more accurate. They are popular in IDPA competitions.

Feel free to E-mail me more specifics.

Q: "... but could not hit that release with my left index finger.

Is this necessary, can't I just use two hands?"

A: Yes, you can use two hands instead of a finger or a thumb. Use whatever works, especially in an emergency.

As you've discovered, there's no shortage of opinions in a gun shop or on a firing line.

The female instructor may be an instructor, but you may decide she won't be your instructor.

I'll second the notion that using two hands is probably easier and works well with nearly every semi-automatic pistol. Not every pistol is (or even can be) equipped with ambidextrous controls.

I'm glad you had a good experience with the H&K P2000c 9mm pistol. (I own an H&K USP chambered for .45 ACP). I hope your experience while renting and shooting it is even better.

Q: "...So I asked her ok well since your a left handed woman with lots of firearm experience what is southpaw friendly? No answer. So I ask what else do you own? And she blew me off laughing and said oh I can't tell you that. Is that an offensive q to ask a gunshop employee? ..."

A: No. It is not offensive.

I imagine you accidentally forced her to discover how much (or how little?) helpful information she actually knew, especially considering her position of employment. ;-)

There's no such thing as a "dumb question". And she should have admitted the gap(s) in her knowledge and been humbly willing to find the answers to your questions (for the benefit of both of you). I imagine she instead tried to cover her own embarrassment with improper attitude.

Selecting a handgun is a very personal decision.

I suggest you only spend your money on that which best fits your hands and your personal criteria.

Good luck and enjoy your shopping experience. :-)

Well, I only occasionally admit it; (When I think it's appropriate.) but I'm a certified pistol instructor too. I'm, also, an older man. More and more, nowadays, I seem to encounter Glock Armorers who don't really know, 'jack' about Glock pistols.

All they did was take a 2 day factory-sponsored course; and, voila, all of a sudden they've got a factory certificate; and they're certified armorers. Personally, I wouldn't let better than 90% of these guys anywhere within 10 feet of one of my Glocks.

Same thing is true of NRA pistol instructors. In my experience, better than half of them shouldn't be allowed on a firing line. True excellence at anything resides between a person's ears; and is not to be found in, or verified by, a certificate hanging on the wall.

Don't believe me? Look at today's medical doctors. They've, all, got fancy certificates hanging on the wall; but, give them the opportunity, and they'll immediately show you what they're really good at: running up your Medicare bill and damned near killing you - All at the same time!

Of course you can release the magazine with either one of your index fingers. (You'll fight the way you train!) I'm perfectly ambidextrous; and I do this all of the time. As for the slide release, you can do that with your support hand, too; just slightly cant the pistol to the side as you hit the release.

However, the right way to run a COMBAT pistol is to use the Hand-Over-Top (HOT) method of slide release. Pistol gamesmen like to use the slide release because it's faster. A combat pistolero will use the HOT technique because it's more certain and actually easier to use while you're moving fast and under severe stress.

Your instincts seem to be pretty good. I'd suggest that you stick with them.

ADDED: Beetlejuice, this question is starting to sound like a soap opera.

You should NEVER shift your grip on a combat pistol. Simply reach across the front of the triggerguard with your support index finger and press the magazine release. Why not go someplace else and buy that XD(m) that you like so much?

There is a lot of debate on slide release techniques. Reaching over with your right hand and pulling back the slide is perfectly acceptable. With practice I am sure you could release the slide either using your index finger our your right hand. The XD line is nice as they have an ambi mag release. I personally own several from the XD line and love them all. For every day carry I have an XD 9 subcompact and an XDm 9 with factory installed Trijicon sites for a duty gun.

I'd find a better gun-shop to work with.

I won't go into exhaustive detail... but there are several semi-autos that have Am-bi dextrious safetys and reversible magazine release buttons (thinking the Ruger SR9 but don't quote me on that is among those)

Slide lock? All semi autos are better worked with a violent "rope start" motion on the slide to chamber a round and return to battery. Roll your right hand "over" the slide (thumb points to your chest) get a good full grip and rip the slide back. We teach this method--it works with all semi auto pistols. Drop the slide with the slide lock often enough and you will eventually see a failure.. plus the "rope start" is how your going to learn to clear a jam anyway.

Shooting lefty in a right handed gun world is not pleasant... but some quality instruction has helped thousands of left handed shooters adapt to "right handed guns" for years.

A quality revolver can be south paw freindly too...

My first two wives had trouble working the slide on any of my autos. The third wife likes my old S&W 411, and never uses the slide stop. She just jerks the rear of the slide back and releases it.

I have a new Kimber Pro Raptor (well, a year old). The slide stop is almost impossible for me to release. So, I jerk the slide to the rear. Actually a little faster when practiced. You should be able to do the same with either Springfield.

Like Rotorhead said, there's a good reason they're popular guns. The Springfield Armory "Loaded" Stainless ones are some of the sweetest I've seen. I want one bad, but it'll be a while before I can afford it (just blew all my gun money on the post-election purchase of an AR-15). The 1911 is the most reliable, accurate, and longest-living semi-auto around. Mine is literally from WW2, and runs as well today as any that was built this year. I wouldn't let a perception of them as "common" affect my decision. You'd be amazed how many people don't have them, even though they keep several firearms. I'm the only person I know who owns one, and most of my friends keep at least a few guns. The trend today is black polymers, not stainless steel and rosewood. Good luck.

Best Pistol For Women

well i am a southpaw and my right hand is deformed with me missing one finger and having my pinky where my index finger should be. i own a variety of handguns and i prefer to carry my eaa windicator revolver and my glock 19. the thing is i adapted. well and i had some great teachers.... i shoot all the time. if you like the xd that will work. but get something you can handle. there are thousands of handgun models. keep trying them. oh and charter arms makes a lefty revolver that is pretty good.