Left handed ar 15

[ebb]

I have a friend that has had a near total loss of eyesight in his right eye and wants to get a left handed ar15. Do we need to buy a complete upper or can we change over his upper to eject from the left side? If so what is involved?

 

[dellet]

In theory you might be able to machine an ejection port in the upper, but it would probably be pretty weak.

Left handed upper reciever and bolt carrier group is all that is needed. Every thing else will swap over.

 

[MGYSGT]

I shoot lefty. I normally just shoot a right-handed AR. I did have a machinist cut slot in the upper on the left side so I could load while in the prone position without reaching over the top of the receiver during single shot 600 yard.

 

[6bra1k]

In theory you might be able to machine an ejection port in the upper, but it would probably be pretty weak.

Left handed upper reciever and bolt carrier group is all that is needed. Every thing else will swap over.

wrong
the bolt rotates the opposite also and the bbl extention has to be set up for that.
the simple answer is to buy a complete upper from stag and add an ambi safety

 

[dellet]

wrong
the bolt rotates the opposite also and the bbl extention has to be set up for that.
the simple answer is to buy a complete upper from stag and add an ambi safety

So apparently the left handed AR's that I own don't function because they have a right handed barrel extension?

Hopefully it was just my ignorance that allowed me to shoot them. Now that I'm enlightened, if they quit functioning I'll know why.

A left handed bolt carrier group and a hole to fling the brass out, is all that is needed.
I swap barrels all the time between my left and right uppers. The lefty's are Stag.

 

[DDriller]

As far as I know there is only no special barrel extension for a left hand AR rifle. Bolt should just turn over 180 degrees and function in a left hand rifle. Turn one over in a right hand rifle and see how it tries to eject out the left side. Then work on getting the case out of the rifle.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

Also look at Bear Creek Arsenal for lefty uppers

 

[Rocketvapor]

So, to turn the bolt 180 you just drill it so the cam pin goes in?

 

[Walt Krafft]

You can not modify a rh bolt to work lh. Buy a Stag lh upper.

 

[6bra1k]

So apparently the left handed AR's that I own don't function because they have a right handed barrel extension?

Hopefully it was just my ignorance that allowed me to shoot them. Now that I'm enlightened, if they quit functioning I'll know why.

A left handed bolt carrier group and a hole to fling the brass out, is all that is needed.
I swap barrels all the time between my left and right uppers. The lefty's are Stag.

what lower

 

[dellet]

what lower

Multiple lowers. I'm having a hard time picturing how a lower would effect a left VS right ejection, feeding is the same. Safety and Mag release can be added.

A right hand receiver could work, as long as you don't want a shell deflector, dust cover or forward assist. Just cut a hole.

The bolt will spin 360 in a barrel extension, it's just a matter of timing the rotation so the ejector is opposite the port. That function is the cam path, which is a mirror image as is the ejector placement.

 

[MislMan]

Buy one of those AR15 ejector bag brass catchers (about $40). The catcher fits right over the ejector port and will keep the ejected brass out of his face. See how he manages shooting lefty and then move to more elegant & costly modifications as wanted.

 

[jdague12]

Before the whole Covid thing, I was able to find an AR15 left handed upper with left handed BCG for under $180. Seems to me, the minute I mentioned “left handed,” the price went up and supply was very scarce. I’m not sure how easily you’re going to find the left handed stuff individually. Just spend the $125 or so and get a complete BCG.

 

[jkohler]

I’ve built a couple lefty’s on Gibbz side charge uppers

 

[ebb]

Thanks for all of your replies, the ball is in his court. i will help him in any way i can .

 

[kzin]

Lot's of us shoot righty uppers left-handed without issue.
I own both and the only time I really favor the lefty is for sling prone matches as mentioned above.
You can put lefty or ambi controls on either.

RRA sells totally left-handed guns where the upper and lower have to match.

Stag and others sell left-port uppers that work on standard lowers.

 

[ebb]

My friend Jim says he has tried on several occasions and just can't get used to the brass flying in front of his face. I was even thinking brass catcher like MislMan said.

 

[Walt Krafft]

I shoot left handed and rarely ever see the brass going by. Focus on the sights and follow through. I put close to 30k rounds through a standard A2 upper when I was chasing the distinguished badge.

 

[dellet]

I think about 3 rounds shooting a right handed Flinchlock and he will think that brass flying by is pretty neat.

 

[dsinfour]

I am left hand and shot a service ar for years . Just get a brass deflector and shoot on.