What is the best concealed carry gun for left-handers?

Written by Mark Buff, GunZee founder and CEO.

While the concealed carry gun market caters largely to right-handed shooters, there are still plenty of options available for left-handers.

Quick links:

What makes a gun left-handed?

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What makes a gun left-hand friendly?

For left-handed shooters, using guns designed for righties can be awkward or difficult. To make guns friendly for lefties, manufacturers incorporate features such as:

Ambidextrous or reversible safety and slide release. These allow left-handed shooters to easily manipulate the safety mechanism and slide release using their left hand instead of needing to reach over with their right.
Ambidextrous magazine release. This allows for easy release of the ammunition magazine with the left-hand thumb rather than needing to reach over or shift the grip.
Ejection port on both sides. With ejection ports on both the left and right sides, spent shell casings can eject away from the shooter's body rather than hitting a left-handed shooter's arm or torso.
Adjustable stocks. The adjustability of the stock allows for proper shoulder stock configuration and length-of-pull for optimal left-shoulder gun mount positioning.
Left-handed bolts. The bolt handle, knob, or lever can be bent, shaped, and located to enable easy left-hand operation of the bolt for loading cartridges.
Reversible charging handles. Charging handles that are switchable from right to left sides allow for easy charging and cocking motion control from a left-handed body posture.

The goal with all ambidextrous and reversible gun controls is to provide left-handed shooters with the same degree of smooth operation, control, safety, and comfort that right-hand dominant firearms offer right-handed users.

Let’s take a look at the best concealed carry weapons for left-handers. We highlight their builds, dimensions, and most notable features to help you determine which model would best suit your needs.

Charter Arms Southpaw

Charter Arms Southpaw.

Image source: https://charterfirearms.com/collections/southpaw

Features	Details
Caliber	.38 Special
Barrel length	2”
Overall length	6.75”
Capacity	5 rounds
Sights	Fixed

The Charter Arms Southpaw revolver is built with the left-handed shooter in mind. This .38 Special snub-nose revolver has a 2” barrel and fixed sights for compact carry.

What makes the Southpaw lefty-friendly is the completely ambidextrous setup. It features a left-side cylinder release thumb piece and a left-handed crane latch, allowing lefties to easily operate the loading and unloading functions.

The Southpaw also incorporates an ambidextrous safety that can be managed from either side. The frame has no sharp edges, ensuring comfort and smooth drawing from a left-side holster or pocket.

This small 5-shot revolver has an ergonomic one-piece rubber grip ideal for left or right-hand use. Weighing just 20 ounces unloaded, the lightweight Southpaw absorbs recoil well to increase manageability. It delivers reliable stopping power up close with .38 Special loads.

“During the course of testing, there were no malfunctions. Recoil was stout in the lightweight Southpaw, particularly with the one +P load tested… For lefties looking for a small, light and handy defensive-style revolver well suited to them, the Charter Arms Southpaw should make for an excellent choice.” —NRA, American Rifleman

Sig Sauer P320

Sig Sauer P320.

Image source: https://www.sigsauer.com/p320-xten-endure.html

Features	Details
Caliber	9mm
Barrel length	3.9”
Overall length	7.2”
Capacity	15+1 rounds
Sights	Siglite night sights

The P320 is one of the best Sig Sauer handguns for left-handers. It is a striker-fired, polymer-framed service pistol designed as a modular handgun system ideal for concealed carry purposes. It has a grip module, removable fire control unit, and stainless steel slide assembly with front serrations.

Notable features of the P320 include an optic-ready slide with a removable plate, high-profile Siglite night sights, and an M1913 Picatinny rail. It has an ambidextrous slide release lever and reversible mag release for both left and right-handed shooters.

Equipped with a smooth, consistent trigger pull, the P320 is highly customizable and accepts various calibers, slide lengths, and frame sizes. It comes standard with 15-round magazines and accepts higher capacity extended mags if desired.

Beretta APX Centurion

Features	Details
Caliber	9mm
Barrel length	4.25”
Overall length	7.4”
Capacity	13+1 rounds
Sights	Fiber optic front, Low-profile rear

The Beretta APX Centurion pistol has several excellent design features for left-handed people thanks to its ambidextrous controls. This mid-size semi-automatic pistol has a striker-fired trigger system and a fiber optic front sight paired with a low-profile rear sight for fast sight acquisition.

The APX Centurion includes ambidextrous slide stop levers and magazine release buttons, allowing easy manipulation of these critical controls from either side of the frame. The extended slide release tabs benefit left-handed shooters when locking the slide back or releasing it forward.

The pistol also incorporates ambi safety levers placed conveniently within reach of the thumb on both sides. This allows the safety to be managed from any shooting position without shifting grip or reaching over.

With its full-length Picatinny accessory rail, the APX readily accepts lights and lasers. The aggressive texture on the interchangeable backstraps enables a firm left-hand grip. This Beretta comes standard with two 13+1 round steel magazines.

Walther PDP

Features	Details
Caliber	9mm
Barrel length	4”
Overall length	7.4”
Capacity	15+1 rounds
Sights	Optics ready

The Walther PDP is an excellent ambidextrous handgun for left-handed shooters. This striker-fired, polymer-framed pistol comes optic-ready right out of the box.

What makes the PDP so lefty-friendly is its ambidextrous manual safety levers. Positioned perfectly within thumb reach on both sides of the frame, the safety can be quickly toggled on and off from any grip angle.

Additional ambidextrous controls include the extended slide release levers and reversible magazine release buttons. These make loading, unloading, and slide lock functions easily executable using your dominant left hand.

The crisp trigger pull and ergonomic grip profile enable accurate shot placement and rapid follow-up shots. The PDP also incorporates front and rear-cocking serrations for press checks and malfunction clearing.

This redditor is satisfied with his PDP.

UGC

Glock 19, Gen 5

Features	Details
Caliber	9mm
Barrel length	4.02”
Overall length	7.28”
Capacity	10+1 rounds
Sights	Fixed

The Glock 19, in its latest Gen 5 iteration, has evolved into an impressively ambidextrous and left-hand-friendly handgun. This compact 9mm semi-auto pistol utilizes a safe action trigger system with a crisp, consistent pull.

While past Glock generations catered more to righties, the Gen 5 models incorporate ambidextrous slide-stop levers for true adaptability. The extended controls allow lefties to easily lock the slide back on an empty mag or release the slide after a reload using their thumb or index finger.

Additionally, the Gen 5 ditches finger grooves in the grip for a clean, textured frame ideal for all hand sizes. This allows lefties to establish an optimal master grip without discomfort. The flared magwell speeds up reload times through smooth magazine insertion.

With its nDLC finish, marksman barrel, 10+1 capacity, and operating controls suitable for both right and left-hand use, the Glock 19 Gen 5 makes an excellent EDC choice accessible to all shooters, regardless of one’s dominant hand.

Heckler & Koch VP9

Features	Details
Caliber	9mm
Barrel length	4.09”
Overall length	7.34”
Capacity	15+1 rounds
Sights	Iron sights; optics ready

The Heckler & Koch VP9 striker-fired pistol combines optimal ergonomics with several ambidextrous controls that adapt seamlessly to left-hand use.

The VP9 features extended, paddle-style magazine releases conveniently positioned within reach of the left thumb. These enable swift magazine changes without shifting the grip or using the right hand.

Additionally, the VP9 incorporates dual slide releases perfectly suited for left-handed manipulation. Located above the trigger guard on both sides, slide lock and release are easy to reach and operate with your left hand.

The VP9 has a Picatinny accessory rail for mounting lights and lasers in a southpaw configuration. The three interchangeable backstraps and lateral plates enable custom-tailored grip sizes.

CZ P07

Features	Details
Caliber	9mm
Barrel length	3.8”
Overall length	7.2”
Capacity	15+1 rounds
Sights	3-Dot sighting system

The CZ P-07 is a highly versatile handgun with several left-hand-friendly attributes. This compact DA/SA pistol features a cold hammer-forged barrel and abbreviated Picatinny rail for light and laser attachment.

Ambidextrous decocking levers are positioned perfectly to enable left-handed people to safely lower the hammer without grip adjustment. Similarly, the extended magazine release buttons are configured for activation by the left thumb.

The swappable magazine catch assembly means the release can easily be reversed for left or right-hand operation. The serrated trigger guard aids in drawing from a lefty appendix or pocket holster grasp.

Ergonomic palm swells and a high undercut trigger guard allow for a superior left-hand grasp for improved recoil control. The P-07 has a snag-free profile making it suitable for concealed carry.

About GunZee

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CCW for left-handers FAQ

Are there left-hand friendly carry holsters?

There are carry holsters specifically designed to accommodate left-handed pistols and shooters. These holsters have features such as ambidextrous clips or belt loops, adjustable cant angles for optimal draw, and reversible components that cater to left-handers.

They provide a comfortable and secure way for left-handed individuals to carry a firearm while allowing quick and easy access when needed. You can choose between IWB holsters, OWB holsters, gun belts, and other holster types to find the one that suits your needs.

Is the Glock 23 an ambidextrous firearm?

The Glock 23 is not an ambidextrous handgun. The standard Glock 23 is configured primarily for right-handed shooters, with the magazine release, slide stop lever, and other basic controls located on the right side of the frame for right-hand operation.

However, the Glock 23 Gen5 does come with ambidextrous slide stop levers as a standard feature.

Does anyone make a left-handed 1911?

Yes, left-handed 1911 pistols are available. Companies like Cabot Guns and Randall Firearms Co offer left-handed 1911 models, which are specifically designed for left-handed shooters. These models feature components such as left-hand thumb safety, left-hand slide stop, and an inverted magazine release to cater to the needs of left-handed users.

Additionally, some 1911 pistols can be modified with ambidextrous safeties and other components to accommodate left-handed shooters.

Should I use a right-handed holster if I’m left-handed?

Using a right-handed holster designed for waistband carry on your right side could be very problematic and unsafe if you are left-handed. A properly designed left-handed holster correctly positions the grip and angles of the pistol for an efficient, safe draw stroke using your left hand.

The location of the controls and grip angle on right-handed holsters can create some issues, so lefties should only use left-handed holsters for smooth, rapid access without snags or awkwardness.

Are Ruger handguns ambidextrous?

Some Ruger pistol models do incorporate ambidextrous features, though most designs remain right-hand dominant. Examples like the Ruger LCP MAX subcompact are truly ambidextrous with reversible magazine release buttons and dual slide stops. The ambi controls allow lefties to operate the bolt and mag release without difficulty.

Why are left-handed guns rare?

Left-handed firearm configurations are rare primarily because the vast majority of people are right-handed. Since the right-hand-dominant population is so much larger, most manufacturers focus product designs exclusively on right-handed guns.

However, with lefties making up a sizable minority, more companies now produce special left-hand editions of popular guns or ambidextrous models adaptable for both dominant hands.

So while still uncommon relative to right-hand guns, ambidextrous and left-handed firearms are becoming more prevalent to cater to this underserved demographic.

What finger do lefties use for the trigger?

Left-handed shooters typically use the left-hand index finger to pull the trigger when firing. Using the dominant hand's index finger allows for precise trigger control.

How do base plates help lefties?

Some magazines incorporate finger rest base plates which can angle the magazine bottom forward for an enhanced grip using your left hand’s middle or index finger. These optional finger rest base plates provide added comfort and control.

About the Author

About the author: Mark Buff is the founder and CEO of GunZee. He is an ardent firearms enthusiast and has been carrying concealed for more than 15 years. He created GunZee to solve his own problem: that of uncomfortable KYDEX holsters. His patented GunZee memory foam holster pad makes inside-the-waistband carry super comfortable.

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