Ready to buy a Kahr but I am left handed?

[soulfixinman]

I am a new member here to Kahrtalk, so hello to all.
A few years back I had a CW40 and decided the 40 was to much,
and also about that time I found out I was cross dominant,
so I now shoot left handed because I am left eye dominant.
I bought an ambidextrous pistol and it works well
just too big at times.

So I am going to buy a Kahr CM9 and am looking for comments on how
all the left handed shooters operate the mag release and slide release,
and if any problems arise from having your left trigger hand
near those releases.

[Bawanna]

I am a new member here to Kahrtalk, so hello to all.
A few years back I had a CW40 and decided the 40 was to much,
and also about that time I found out I was cross dominant,
so I now shoot left handed because I am left eye dominant.
I bought an ambidextrous pistol and it works well
just too big at times.

So I am going to buy a Kahr CM9 and am looking for comments on how
all the left handed shooters operate the mag release and slide release,
and if any problems arise from having your left trigger hand
near those releases.


The majority of cross dominant shooters I've encountered continue to shoot with their strong hand and just adjust head and arms for the dominant eye. With a rifle this isn't possible and you have to retrain your body since you can't retrain your eye.
I have 6 or 8 officers that are cross dominant, rifles all set for left but they carry their duty guns on their right side.
There's lots of lefties here, I'm eternally grateful that I'm not one of them. I have enough other obstacles to deal with without being left handed.
Glad you found us, hope you find the kahr of your dreams and stick around for the daily party.
I agree that the 40 is too much in the small package although I have one. The 9 or the 45 is a much better choice in my opinion. I went 45, just my choice. YMMV.

[Popeye]

I use my trigger finger or middle finger. If not that then flip the gun to my right hand drop the mag and insert mag with the left. Doesn't seem like a big difference it time know matter which way I do it.

[mser]

I'm left handed. I use my left index finger for the magazine release and to release the slide stop when loading / reloading. It's the way I was taught and the way I've trained. I've never experienced a problem with any of the pistols I've carried. There's been quite a few different ones. They've all had the American style magazine release and standard 1911 style slide stop.

I have not changed the magazine release on any of my pistols that have the ability to do so. I've trained a certain way for so many years it has become second nature and I don't want to throw something into the mix that'll take that extra second to make me think during a stressful situation.

[Jeff00042]

I'm left handed and have had no problems with the Kahr series pistols. I use my left index finger for the mag release and my left thumb for the slide release. One advantage over right handers is that you will not accidently activate the slide stop with your thumb. The most ambidextrous pistol I own is my P7M8 but it's bigger and much heavier.

[soulfixinman]

The majority of cross dominant shooters I've encountered continue to shoot with their strong hand and just adjust head and arms for the dominant eye. YMMV.

I found out that I shoot better left handed, so I continue to lock it in that way. It took an NRA class to find out that I am cross dominant and that it is fairly common.

[rjt123]

The majority of cross dominant shooters I've encountered continue to shoot with their strong hand and just adjust head and arms for the dominant eye.


That's what I do. Right-handed, left eye dominant. And I do have to shoot long guns left-handed.

[Ubaldo99]

Ah yes... Another thread that provides an opportunity for we lefties to rant and rail about the unfairness of life, the oppression of righties, etc. :D But seriously, I generally use some combination of the techniques described by Popeye, Mser, and Jeff00042. Of course, another "approved" leftie method is to simply turn the gun upsidedown and shoot it in that attitude! Kidding...Im kidding! :D

[exdetsgt]

I'm ambidextrous and left-eyed. I shoot a hand gun right handed and simply line up the sights to my left eye. I shoot a rifle left handed. If it's a bolt action I just reach over to work the bolt. I throw a baseball and eat with my right hand, write with my left hand and kick a football with my left foot.

I'm just a happy mess.

[JFootin]

You know, Charter Arms makes a left handed snubby revolver called the Southpaw.

http://www.charterfirearms.com/products/Charter_Southpaw_93820.html

[rooster65]

I'm left handed / left eyed. Never a problem with a CM9. Use left index or middle finger for mag / slide release. You can use right thumb over the top for slide release while holding pistol in left hand. Nothing comes loose accidentally.

After a few months of shooting both handed, there really isn't much difference any more. Try all 4, left handed left eye, right handed right eye, LH R eye, and RH L eye. All get to be about the same. Anything inside of 15 yards won't matter.

[kahrnut1]

left handed and 5 Kahrs no problem. trigger finger mag release. left thumb slide release.

[Thunder71]

Lefty here, we're programmed to adapt.

Love my Kahrs

[Unythios]

Righty here but I shoot left handed at least 4 mags full each range trip to teach myself in case my strong arm is unable to perform in a real life incident. I don't release the mag left handed but I have no issues with my hand hitting it or anything.

Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk

[ToneSurfer]

Lefty here too.

Mag release - Left middle finger.
Slide release - Left index finger...or not at all and just slingshot the slide, grip and rip with my right hand.
To lock the slide back - Put the gun in right hand and use right thumb to manipulate the slide stop while working the slide with the left hand.

I think us lefties have an advantage, since when shooting we rarely have interference problems with the slide stop and our off hand thumb that some righties seem to have.

[soulfixinman]

Thanks for all the good info, the best tip or idea I got from all of this is when I get my CM9 and maybe even before I start to train with it I will change my M&P9c back to right handed, I want to train myself not confuse myself.

thanks to all

[Bawanna]

Thanks for all the good info, the best tip or idea I got from all of this is when I get my CM9 and maybe even before I start to train with it I will change my M&P9c back to right handed, I want to train myself not confuse myself.

thanks to all

You reckon that training would work on a fella like me. I'm kind a doubtful.

[jouesdeveau]

I use my middle left finger for the slide release. Just be sure you're not at the same time pressing the other side of the slide release button with your thumb. I did that the first few times until I realized the problem. We lefties adapt:D.

As for the slide release, I don't use it. I sling shot the slide to load. The manual says that to use the slide stop ensure proper advance of the round from mag, but I've never had a problem and no misfeeds with various sorts of ammo.

[TominCA]

Kahr is no more difficult than any other gun for lefties - I use my index or ring finger for mag and slide release - works fine (for a lefty anyhow) The S&W M&P has a reversable mag release and ambi slide releases - It's nice to have those - but the trigger is awful compared to a Kahr.