Suggestions welcome for a lefty looking to make a switch

[Lunker]

I have been shooting my HK P30 V1 LEM for a while now. I was always happy with the accuracy but never quite loved the trigger (although it is much better than the DA/SA version, IMO). I have been trying to build up speed but just cannot seem to manipulate the trigger as well as I do on striker fired (and even da/sa) guns. My class at Sig Academy the other day sealed it for me. I can shoot my Glock so much more instinctively and accurately at speed than the HK that I decided it is time to make a switch. But here's the rub. I am a lefty and I really like the ambi HK controls. What are my best options for a well built, reliable and durable medium sized striker fired gun that is lefty friendly? It would be a carry gun in the colder months. I tried the full size Sig P320 and liked shooting it, and really liked the solid trigger instead of the bladed trigger common to striker guns. From past experience, I am not a fan of the M&P lineup. So HK VP9 (that right side slide release lever seems pretty flimsy), Walther PPQ, CZ P07, Sig P320? Am I missing anything I should be looking at? Any recommendations? Anything to avoid? Should I suck it up and live in a righty world and just get a Glock 19? :)
I will be doing my best to try shooting all of them.

[Guinnessman]

As a fellow lefty, my favorite options are of the Glock and HK variety. After years of shooting right handed guns, I have always manipulated the mag release with my left trigger finger. The lever release on the P30/VP9 is the fastest followed by the Gen 4 Glock mag release. The ambi slide release is faster on the HK's as well, but I am not that much slower with a Glock.

If someone asked me today "If you could only own one handgun, what would it be," my answer would be Glock 19 despite my love of all HK. The Glock is just too damn simple and practical.

[gkieser92]

As a fellow lefty, my favorite options are of the Glock and HK variety. After years of shooting right handed guns, I have always manipulated the mag release with my left trigger finger. The lever release on the P30/VP9 is the fastest followed by the Gen 4 Glock mag release. The ambi slide release is faster on the HK's as well, but I am not that much slower with a Glock.

If someone asked me today "If you could only own one handgun, what would it be," my answer would be Glock 19 despite my love of all HK. The Glock is just too damn simple and practical.

This is my solution too. However I have found using middle finger for mag release works best. I also use support hand to release slide. As my right hand slams the magazine it just rides the momentum up to the slide, grabs it and racks it back in one motion.

[HopetonBrown]

A lefty forum member made this video on the various ways to drop the slide on a Glock for southpaws.

https://youtu.be/B92XlNjbYyA

[LostDuke]

I went through the same problem with the P30, and have moved on without looking back.

In DA/SA, my favorite gun is the PX4 Storm which has reversible magazine and dual slide controls. Have a Beretta Wilson also, and love that too but I am not going to carry that thing in the Texas summer. It is not as friendly for a left handed.

As for striker fired, I own a VP9 beautifully worked by Bruce Gray but I still prefer the PPQ after all. The first series shared the paddle release with H&K, the second has a reversible mag release. Both are ambi when it comes to slide controls.

Why the PPQ? Cost and quality are comparable with the VP9, but the PPQ trigger is the best out of the box for a striker fired gun INMHO, and you have a longer version for competition. Also, the slide controls are build better than on the VP9, and you don't have the problem that has plagued so many of not sending the gun to slide lock (I know it can be overcome, but I don't get paid to deal with the floppy H&K controls).

[pangloss]

Should I suck it up and live in a righty world and just get a Glock 19? :) I will be doing my best to try shooting all of them.

Maybe you'll have the option of a G19 M soon with ambi controls. Also, I think the FNS-9 has ambi controls.

[OnionsAndDragons]

I would stick with the G19 for now; until we hear more about the G19M as mentioned above. That would likely be ideal with your current proficiency and familiarity w the G19.

If jumping ship is the decision, I definitely encourage spending some time with a PPQ or P99AS. I have both the PPQ and the VP9 and I prefer the PPQ by a good margin. The trigger is a little lighter, but it has a longer travel much like a LEM gun. I really like that combo for carry and decision making drills. I wish I could get a vp9 with that trigger so I could just have a bunch of HK mags...

[L-2]

I'm not left-handed, but do have to qualify with a minimal amount of left-handed shooting.
The Glock 19 Gen4 does have a reversible mag catch.
The slide stop is not reversible or ambi, but there's an extended version which will aid in either releasing the slide using the slide stop or provide more surface to push up when locking the slide back.
The grooved trigger can be replaced with a smooth trigger but will still have the center blade as it's one of the three safeties in the design (the other two being a firing pin safety and what Glock refers to as being a "drop safety" and really means there shouldn't be too much play between the trigger bar and firing pin engagement).

[Luke]

P320. Nuff said.

[MGW]

If you are comfortable with everything but the trigger on the P30 a VP9 seems like a no brainer. They're solid.
Won't holsters and magazines interchange between the P30 and VP9? Maybe I'm misremembering.

[Guinnessman]

If you are comfortable with everything but the trigger on the P30 a VP9 seems like a no brainer. They're solid.
Won't holsters and magazines interchange between the P30 and VP9? Maybe I'm misremembering.

My VP9 holsters work well with the P30, just not the other way around. The JM Custom VP9 OWB and AIWB work well with both guns.

[Lunker]

Thanks for all the input everyone. Here are some replies.

Hopeton Brown- great video. That guy is smooth and fast.

LooseDue - The Walther PPQ is interesting me more and more. I will have to give the PX4 a try. It doesn't get talked about much, but I owned a Beretta Cougar and loved the rotating bolt design. It was a easy to shoot gun.

Pangloss - An ambi Glock would be something I buy regardless of which gun I get now.

GreggW - I really want to like the VP9 more (especially since I am overflowing with P30 mags), but that flimsy/flexy right side slide release is giving me pause. It is not robust like the P30 or PPQ.




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[MGW]

Thanks for all the input everyone. Here are some replies.

Hopeton Brown- great video. That guy is smooth and fast.

LooseDue - The Walther PPQ is interesting me more and more. I will have to give the PX4 a try. It doesn't get talked about much, but I owned a Beretta Cougar and loved the rotating bolt design. It was a easy to shoot gun.

Pangloss - An ambi Glock would be something I buy regardless of which gun I get now.

GreggW - I really want to like the VP9 more (especially since I am overflowing with P30 mags), but that flimsy/flexy right side slide release is giving me pause. It is not robust like the P30 or PPQ.




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There are SME's here running the VP9 full time. I don't think the slide release will be an issue for you.

[Lunker]

There are SME's here running the VP9 full time. I don't think the slide release will be an issue for you.

Are they righty's? The left side controls are stout. The right lever bends when pressure is applied. I am not anti HK. I have a stack of P30 mags I would love to use.


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[Chuck Whitlock]

Wayne Dobbs is a lefty. Nyeti has said more than once that they are both primarily running VP9s.

[JTPHD]

I'm a lefty who moved from a G17 Gen4 to a P320. My reasons for the change had more to do with shooting USPSA Production. With the 17, I would often have the magazine hang up on the flat "ledge" on the left side of the mag body and the frame. It was also inconsistent for me to hit the slide lock every time with my trigger finger, or reach up under with my support hand, regardless of how many dry fire reloads I performed (hand dexterity). The P320 mags index in the gun very smoothly for me, and the slide release levers are about the optimal size, IMO.

Not sure how invested you are in the P30 (magazines, etc.), but the VP9 may be a good option since the magazines are common between the two.

[OnionsAndDragons]

If it's really just an issue with the right side VP9 lever feeling less robust, I have a solution for you!

Get 2! Guns, that is. Get an extra lever too, just in case. But vet one gun for carry, then do 90% of your training with the spare. You will never put enough wear on that carry guns lever that way to ever need worry about it.

If you are heavy in P30 mags, buying an extra VP9 will not be much more expensive than getting a suitable number of PPQ mags. Probably just about even, really. Factor in that you also don't need new mag holders and that's an extra free mag or two!

[Lunker]

I am selling my 2 P30's, so I am fine with selling the extra mags too. Within reason, I try not to let a few dollars (or a few hundred) impact a long term decision. It is not that much money when you consider the cost of ammo.
I must say I am intrigued by the P320. It felt good and I liked shooting it. But I don't know much about its reputation, track record, durability, etc.


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[Matthew]

I just read on HKPro that HKSpecialist received a batch of VP9 without mags, and he is selling them for $409 check/cash/MO or $455 credit. They have everything from factory, except the magazines, which you would be set with.

Just an option.