5 No Compromise Left Handed Handguns for Concealed Carry

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Best handguns for left handed shooters

Ok, maybe minimal compromise. But we’re used to that, right Southpaws?

Finding a firearm suitable for left handed use without compromising functionality can be a challenge. Finding a firearm suitable for concealed carry that also happens to be suitable for left handed use is even harder.

Our mission was to find 5 handguns that are suitable for left handed concealed carry use without any compromise in terms of functionality and absolutely no gunsmithing or waiting for special parts.

Here’s a few smart choices that won’t have you sacrificing valuable time or functionality.

Smith & Wesson Airweight (J Frame)

Really any revolver will work reasonably well for the left handed shooter, but the Airweight is available in .38 Special, +P, and .357 Magnum, and is available with an internal or external hammer, depending on your preference.

The only drawback for a left handed shooter is needing to move the revolver to your right hand to reload and then move it back, but that only ends up being a drawback if you are going to commit to carrying speedloaders when you carry your revolver.

CHECK OUT OUR S&W J-FRAME HOLSTERS!

Glock 19

Being a compact handgun chambered in 9MM, the Glock 19 is quite well suited to a versatile role, including concealed carry. Like a revolver, the primary benefit of a Glock for a left handed shooter is the distinct lack of a manual safety, meaning it will never be out of reach on the wrong side of the gun. It does have a drop safe trigger but for those of you uncomfortable without a manual safety, we’ve still got plenty of options for you.

The only drawback for a left handed shooter worth mentioning is the lack of an ambidextrous magazine release, but most of us have found a way to get around that gracefully.

And again, it is only a problem if you commit to carrying an extra magazine when you carry your Glock 19.

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Para Black Ops Recon 1911

The 1911 is an instantly recognizable platform, but it can be a difficult platform for left handed shooters. Packed with .45 ACP, the Para Black Ops Recon 1911 has a 4.25 inch barrel, making it perfectly suited for concealed carry. Combined with an ambidextrous thumb safety, the Para Black Ops Recon might be the perfect tool for your concealed carry needs.

Again, the only drawback for a left handed shooter is the lack of an ambidextrous magazine release.

But the good folks at Para managed to pack a walloping 14 rounds of .45 ACP into this gun, and most of us have found a good way to get around a one sided magazine release anyway.

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Beretta PX4 Storm Compact

Available in either 9MM or 40 S&W, the Beretta PX4 Storm Compact is also available as a sub-compact if that’s more your style. Its controls are intuitive, and it has that ambidextrous manual safety we’re after. The PX4 Storm Compact is simply designed and easily concealable, and the sub-compact is even easier to conceal!

Even beyond the ambidextrous manual safety, many of the PX4’s controls either are already accessible with either hand, or can be reversed fairly simply.

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Springfield XD(M) Compact

The Springfield XD(M) Compact is available chambered in 9MM, 40 S&W, or .45 ACP, all depending on what works best for you. Or get one of each! Who am I to tell you how many guns to buy.

For safeties, Springfield forwent the manual safety for a grip safety and a drop safe trigger, so there are no safety mechanisms that can be out of reach to a left handed shooter.

You still need to bring the safety between your ears, though.

The folks at Springfield Armory also saw fit to make sure that the XD(M) Compact can accept full size magazines. Is a full size magazine hanging out of your compact concealed carry handgun really practical? Probably not, but it is great fun at the range and practice is important!

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There you have it, folks! Now all you need to do is pop into your local gun shop and pick up one of these, and whatever else strikes your fancy. And when they don’t have the perfect holster for your left handed carry needs, concealed or otherwise, come on back and we’ll take care of you.

Left Handed Holster Options

As you can tell, there are a good number of handguns available for the left-handed shooter - and likewise, there are a good deal of options for left-handed holsters as well. You don't need to settle for whatever lefty holsters are dumped on you; there are southpaw holsters for every need, be it for open or expertly concealed carry. Alien Gear Holsters offers every model right- or left-handed, so you can carry any model pistol we sell a holster for, including both IWB and OWB models. Have a look at our available left handed holsters!

So what’s your go-to left handed concealed carry handgun?

About The Author

Living in the great state of Vermont, Ryan writes, edits, hunts, shoots, runs a property caretaking business, sells real estate, and carries concealed through it all. Having been taught by his mother to shoot at a young age, Ryan particularly enjoys introducing new people to the firearms community and sharing his knowledge whenever he can.

4 Comment(s)

Southpaw

Jun 08, 2020 19:06

You should have the Charter Arms Southpaw and the Cabot Guns 1911 available in left hand.

James Tabi

Aug 15, 2019 10:58

Just perusing articles for left handed hand guns and I don't know how you came up with your list first of all. How can you have a list without a gun that has a mag release and slide stop (and thumb safety you are so inclined) ALL available on the right side of the gun like the S & W M & P. and how can you have a revolver on the list with a laser sight on the right side where the left and right thumb both sit, not to mention the cylinder release on the left side (unlike the charter Arms South Paw). Also, the Walther PPQ is fully ambidextrous and not on the list. This is a list for lefties right?

Garry Berkey

Mar 15, 2019 21:36

Excellent left handed models of decent quality.
Lacking is the prices of said firearms.
Ty

Trish Blonigen

Mar 02, 2017 22:25

I am a female left handed shooter. I recently purchased my first two handguns. I chose the 9mm Walther PPS M2 for conceal and carry. The grips are very comfortable. It has a trigger safety, and I was told the mag release could be moved. I have read differing facts online. I've put over 1200 rounds through in less than a month, and it is very comfortable to release the mag with my middle finger. The clip release is kind of a pain, but I've learned to adapt. The second pistol is a Walther P22. This is my practice gun. It has an ambi safety, and an ambi mag release in the form of a paddle in the trigger guard. Other than the clip release, it is fully ambidextrous. I like this one a lot as well. I picked Walther because the grips are like velvet in my hands.