Semi-auto rifles for lefties

I am starting to look into purchasing a semi-auto for plinking, home defense, and possibly some varmint use (we are starting to have coyote problems around here, everything from cats and small dogs to goats and calves disappearing).

One of the chief limitations for me is that I am a left-handed long gun shooter and have a strong desire not to have brass flying back in my face. I have already searched Google for references to lefty-friendly guns and they all seem to concern bolt actions or pistol safeties and grips. I have toured numerous websites of manufacturers and dealers, and it seems no one thinks this is important information (odd, considering roughly 10% of us are left-handed). I have fired .22's that had the terribly annoying habit of consistently lodging the spent cartridge on the inside crease of my right elbow (ouch!) when fired from anything but an offhand position.

I would sure appreciate some remarks about any semiauto rifles that throw the empties back and to the right (which would hit me in the forehead or worse); or conversely, about any that eject strong and straight out to the side (obviously preferred). I am thinking right now in terms of a smallbore (.233, 7.62, etc.), but am also planning to add a .308 at some point in the not-too-distant future. I am mainly trying to rule out any that are known to be unsuitable, to save myself from getting all excited about a choice and then finding out it just won't work for me.

Thanks for any help!

The Old Dog.

An AR-15 type rifle with the 'A2' style upper receiver has a built in case deflector that should keep you from getting hit with brass. There is an aftermarket ambidextrous safety for the AR type rifles also. The safety on the Mini-14 is ambidextrous but I don't know if there will be a problem with the fired cases. Magazine changes should be a breeze with the Mini because the magazine release is also ambidextrous, when changing magazines you would grip the rifle strong handed and change the Mag with your right hand and release the bolt by pulling back on the handle. George in Las Vegas

But can you teach an old dog a new trick?

I too am left handed, and have not had a problem shooting right handed semi autos. I have shot Garands, M-1 Carbines, AR-15, Mac-90, Uzi, AR-7, maybe it is the gun it's self.

Dog, I recommend to you a Remington 24 or 241 or the Browing or Norinco with the same .22 bottom-ejecting action. Just don't hold your support arm bent underneath the ejection port. If you do that, with either arm, you'll collect hot brass in the crook of your elbow!

Both SKSs and Ruger Minis seem to toss their empties more forward than to the side. You might want to borrow one and try a few shots.

Derek V.

Hmmmmm, unless Santa's elves are gunsmiths?????????

There really is no civilian made auto loading leftty rifles to buy off the shelf. Some custom jobs maybe, but like you said 90% of us are right handanded..... Does it have to be an auto?

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# # I would sure appreciate some remarks about any semiauto rifles that throw the # empties back and to the right (which would hit me in the forehead or worse);

I'm a lefty also and have had a good experience with my sks. It mainly ejects cartridges forward. I haven't had any problems with my marlin model 600 .22 lr either. It shoots cases to the right, but 3 or more feet, so it usually clears my right arm.

# I would sure appreciate some remarks about any semiauto rifles that throw the # empties back and to the right (which would hit me in the forehead or worse); or # conversely, about any that eject strong and straight out to the side (obviously # preferred). I am thinking right now in terms of a smallbore (.233, 7.62, etc.), # but am also planning to add a .308 at some point in the not-too-distant future.

Most autos are fairly Lefty-friendly. The AR15, AR10, AK47, M1A, FAL, etc are all good. The only ones I would avoid are bullpups like the Bushmaster M17S.