Best Guns for Left-Handed Shooters: Pistols & Rifles

I’ve been left-handed since I made my appearance in this world, and I do most everything left-handed.

The world has conspired against lefties since antiquity. As a matter of fact, the Latin word for left is “sinister” – ‘nuff said. It seems gun manufacturers have gone along with that, as well.

There are few guns out there that are truly lefty-friendly. But don’t worry, lefty models exist.

And that’s what we’re exploring today – left-handed rifles and pistols. So, follow along as I tell you my favorite models and why they make this list.

How We Chose the Best Guns for Left-Handed Shooters

This article is a meta-analysis based on our experience with hundreds of handguns and tens of thousands of rounds over the years at Pew Pew Tactical. We narrowed our search based on left-handed specific controls and ergonomics as well as reliability, accuracy, and value.

On top of that, we polled our left-handed friends and shooters to get their opinions on what makes a gun good for lefties and which models were their favorites to shoot.

Best Guns for Left-Handed Shooters

1. Savage Arms Rascal - Best for Beginners

Best for Beginners

Savage Arms Rascal LH

$140

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$140 at Palmetto State Armory

Kentucky Gun Co (see price)

Guns.com (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .22LR
• Action: Bolt-action
• Barrel Length: 16.125"
• Manual Safety: Yes
• Capacity: 1
• Optics-Ready: No

If you’re looking for an easy plinker or a trainer for the new shooter in your life, you can’t beat this single-shot .22 LR from Savage.

There aren’t too many teaching-type rifles for lefties, but the Rascal is one of the best.

It features the Savage AccuTrigger, scope bases, and a manual safety -- not to mention sling swivels, a lock, and a free set of earplugs round out the package.

If you have a pint-sized southpaw who is clamoring to shoot, the Rascal offers a perfect option for him or her.

2. Weatherby Mark V Backcountry 2.0 - Best for Hunters

Best for Hunters

Weatherby Mark V Backcountry

$2099

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$2099 at Palmetto State Armory

Kentucky Gun Co (see price)

Guns.com (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .240 Wby Mag, .243 Win, .257 Wby Mag, .270 Wby Mag, .280 Ackley Improved, .300 Wby Mag, .308 Win, .338 Wby RPM, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 Wby RPM, 6.5-300 Wby Mag, 7mm PRC
• Action: Bolt-action
• Barrel Length: 22" - 26"
• Manual Safety: Yes
• Capacity: 3+1 to 5+1
• Optics-Ready: Yes

Weatherby has earned a reputation for building high-end rifles and lightning-fast cartridges since 1945.

Weatherby rifles were only available in proprietary calibers early on. Those are still available today, but the company now supports some mainstream cartridges, as well. They're even dropping new autoloading shotguns!

The Weatherby Mark V 2.0 uses either a 6- or 9-lug bolt and push-feed action that's proven to withstand the immense pressure of Weatherby's punishing magnum cartridges.

The Mark V offers a short, 54-degree bolt throw -- one of the lowest in the industry.

And there's a huge range of hunting cartridges to choose from so you'll be covered whether you're chasing Coues deer or Moose.

3. Stag Arms Stag 15 Tactical - Best AR-15

Best AR-15

Stag Arms Stag 15 Tactical LH

$882

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$882 at GrabAGun

Guns.com (see price)

Stag Arms (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 5.56 NATO
• Action: Semi-auto, direct-impingement
• Barrel Length: 16"
• Manual Safety: Yes
• Capacity: 30+1
• Optics-Ready: Yes

Stag Arms makes beaucoup ARs, several of which are left-handed -- 38 left-hand ARs, in fact.

The Stag Arms STAG-15 comes with a few nifty features, including a nitride-coated 16-inch barrel with a mid-length gas system, an A2 flash hider, Stag 13.5-inch M-LOK handguard, and Magpul furniture.

A full-length Picatinny rail on top allows you to put almost any sighting gizmo on it, while a multi-position buttstock lets you bring it in close if desired.

The mag release, bolt release, and safety are on the correct sides of the gun for lefties. Empties will zip off to the left (away from your face) so no hot brass two-step dance moves need be performed.

4. Heckler & Koch VP9 - Best Semi-Auto Pistol

Best Semi-Auto Pistol

Heckler & Koch VP9

$614

at Guns.com

Prices accurate at time of writing

$614 at Guns.com

GrabAGun (see price)

Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore (see price)

Sportsman's Warehouse (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-auto, striker-fired
• Barrel Length: 4"
• Manual Safety: No
• Capacity: 17+1
• Optics-Ready: Model-specific

I really like the H&K VP9. This is one truly ambidextrous pistol.

Given its lineage and H&K’s many years of proven manufacturing prowess, the VP9 is the answer to many questions asked about what constitutes a top-quality carry pistol.

The paddle mag release works equally well from both sides. And you have a long, right-side lever to drop the slide.

Switch out the back strap and change the palm swell side panels for a custom fit. -- three backstraps and two grip panels accompany the VP9. With 16 configurations, there’s something for everyone.

Check out our full review of the HK VP9 or peep the video review below.

5. Charter Arms Southpaw - Best Revolver

Best Revolver

Charter Arms Southpaw

$385

at Kentucky Gun Co

Prices accurate at time of writing

$385 at Kentucky Gun Co

Guns.com (see price)

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .38 Special
• Action: Double-action/single-action
• Barrel Length: 2"
• Manual Safety: No
• Capacity: 5
• Optics-Ready: No

Want old-school simplicity? The Charter Arms Southpaw will have you feeling like a prohibition-era detective in no time.

The cylinder swings out to the right, with its release on the same side, which just makes sense.

This 12-ounce, 2-inch-barreled .38 Special is based on Charter Arm’s Undercover Lite -- only in mirror image.

For $435, you could do worse. I’ve owned two different Charter Arms revolvers, and they work as advertised.

What Makes a Gun Left-Handed?

The way I see it, there are two families of left-handed firearms.

The first (and most obvious) would be those guns manufactured from the get-go to be left-handed.

Those would include rifles with the bolt handle or ejection ports on the left side. There are even 1911 pistols set up in mirror images of traditional ones.

The second family of guns is those that can be made left-friendly. I’m talking about semi-auto pistols with reversible magazine releases and similar features.

These guns are not marketed as left-handed but they can be made that way by the end user with a few swappable parts.

Final Thoughts

As a left-handed shooter, I have adapted to a right-handed world of guns. So, it’s nice that more and more guns can now be enjoyed by everyone – not just righties.

Whether you need a hunting rifle or home defense gun, any of the above models would make a great addition to your gun safe.

Are you a Southpaw? What are your favorite gun models? Let us know in the comments below. Want more lefty-friendly models? Check out our round-up of the Best Left-Handed AR-15s.

Latest Updates

• July 18, 2024: Removed the Beretta APX Centurion, Browning X-Bolt, Glock 19, Walther PDP, and Ruger Gunsite Scout LH. Added information on how we chose the best left-handed guns.
• May 31, 2024: Added more details to product selections, updated supporting content, and removed the CZ P-07.