Lefty/Righty questions - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

FireintheWhole · 04-15-2008, 06:08 PM

I'm left handed and haven't done a lot of handgun shooting in my life. Probably around 1000 rounds total. Most guns are designed for right handed people, and I was wondering if it is possible to train myself to be a righty. I can shoot right handed pretty much just as well as I can shoot left handed, but the problem is my left eye is dominant. It takes me a little bit longer to aim right handed with both eyes open and right eye dominant than left. Also, my natural instinct is to draw left handed, although I have been carrying right handed for a couple weeks trying to train myself to be a righty. I instinctively know now that my gun is on my right and go for it, but I still prefer it on my left.

So is it possible to transform myself to a righty with training? I figured since I haven't been shooting a lot and for years that it might still be possible.

Thanks.

grahamstein · 04-15-2008, 07:29 PM

Ahh nature vs nurture.

In my experience, yes you can. But if you put that same effort into training left handed, the benefits will be greater.

nothingness · 04-15-2008, 07:36 PM

I'm not lefty at anything except shooting. I for some reason started shooting left handed at a young age (around 8 yrs old) and around 13-14 yrs old I started getting picked on for being the odd person for shooting left, so I started shooting right. I can now shoot either way I want and be accurate. However lefty is still the most natural. My advice would be to get sufficient as a lefty, and then start training yourself to shoot accurately with right hand. If you're already at that point..I'd just stick to whatever feels the most natural. I keep my holster on my left hip, because it feels more natural.

Of course you can just be a straight lefty. I just like the idea of knowing I can be accurate with whatever hand I want depending on the situation..pistol or rifle.

**mvician** · 04-15-2008, 08:20 PM

Everyone should strive to be able to shoot equally with either hand

orrminator · 04-15-2008, 08:42 PM

I'm a lefty and while I do off hand training on occassion, I focus the majority of my time shooting with my left. I can handle all of the controls on the XD with my left hand, it probably looks odd but it works. I haven't found it necessary to switch to right hand shooting. Most of the time I have both hands on the pistol and can use either hand for slide release, mag drops and reloads and anything else...

FireintheWhole · 04-16-2008, 06:28 AM

How do you use the slide release with your left hand?

tjhiggy · 04-16-2008, 06:49 AM

I'm a lefty.... and practice shooting with both hands. I want my dominant eye to used to both hands.

I want to be prepared to use my weapon in any situation.

tjhiggy · 04-16-2008, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireintheWhole

How do you use the slide release with your left hand?

First finger....

amishclark · 04-16-2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjhiggy

First finger....

i don't use the slide release lever thingy...fine motor skills under duress and all that. however, if my right arm/hand is disabled i would use my index finger. keep shooting lefty and don't worry about it!

FireintheWhole · 04-16-2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjhiggy

First finger....

I tried it with little success. LOL.

04-15-2008, 06:08 PM	#1
FireintheWhole XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Erie, PA Posts: 116	Lefty/Righty questions I'm left handed and haven't done a lot of handgun shooting in my life. Probably around 1000 rounds total. Most guns are designed for right handed people, and I was wondering if it is possible to train myself to be a righty. I can shoot right handed pretty much just as well as I can shoot left handed, but the problem is my left eye is dominant. It takes me a little bit longer to aim right handed with both eyes open and right eye dominant than left. Also, my natural instinct is to draw left handed, although I have been carrying right handed for a couple weeks trying to train myself to be a righty. I instinctively know now that my gun is on my right and go for it, but I still prefer it on my left. So is it possible to transform myself to a righty with training? I figured since I haven't been shooting a lot and for years that it might still be possible. Thanks. __________________ XD SC .40 - sold H&K USP .40 Ruger LCP

04-15-2008, 07:29 PM	#2
grahamstein XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West Nyack, NY Posts: 665	Ahh nature vs nurture. In my experience, yes you can. But if you put that same effort into training left handed, the benefits will be greater. __________________ "To be Irish is to know that in the end, the world will break your heart." - Daniel Patrick Moynihan

04-15-2008, 07:36 PM	#3
nothingness XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ft.Worth, Tx / Depression Ranch Posts: 925	I'm not lefty at anything except shooting. I for some reason started shooting left handed at a young age (around 8 yrs old) and around 13-14 yrs old I started getting picked on for being the odd person for shooting left, so I started shooting right. I can now shoot either way I want and be accurate. However lefty is still the most natural. My advice would be to get sufficient as a lefty, and then start training yourself to shoot accurately with right hand. If you're already at that point..I'd just stick to whatever feels the most natural. I keep my holster on my left hip, because it feels more natural. Of course you can just be a straight lefty. I just like the idea of knowing I can be accurate with whatever hand I want depending on the situation..pistol or rifle. __________________ T n f g H When the Government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the Government, there is tyranny. - Thomas Jefferson

04-15-2008, 08:20 PM	#4
mvician XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,250	Everyone should strive to be able to shoot equally with either hand __________________ AR15s...ya I've built more than a few http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/ar-talk...ar-family.html

04-15-2008, 08:42 PM	#5
orrminator XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gresham, Oregon Posts: 822	I'm a lefty and while I do off hand training on occassion, I focus the majority of my time shooting with my left. I can handle all of the controls on the XD with my left hand, it probably looks odd but it works. I haven't found it necessary to switch to right hand shooting. Most of the time I have both hands on the pistol and can use either hand for slide release, mag drops and reloads and anything else... __________________ ************************ Chris If it ain't broke....gimme a minute. ************************

04-16-2008, 06:28 AM	#6
FireintheWhole XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Erie, PA Posts: 116	How do you use the slide release with your left hand? __________________ XD SC .40 - sold H&K USP .40 Ruger LCP

04-16-2008, 06:49 AM	#7
tjhiggy XDTalk Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: VA Posts: 31	I'm a lefty.... and practice shooting with both hands. I want my dominant eye to used to both hands. I want to be prepared to use my weapon in any situation. __________________ XD9SC Owner NRA Member USCCA Member VCDL Member GOA Member "When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny."* -- Thomas Jefferson.

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