Other I'm right-handed, but I prefer charging handle on the left side. Am I doing it wrong?

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uladz

uladz

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Apr 23, 2020
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San Jose, California, United States
Guys, is it only me or is it really more convenient to have a charging handle on the left side? I'm right-handed, and recently I got in my hands a couple of Marauder bullpups that were converted to left side charging handle. Before swapping them out to the right side, I tried shooting them and it actually feels good. Especially for bullpup configuration. I don't need to let go of the pistol grip with my right hand and can keep the rifle sighted, while with the left hand I can feed the next round. I wonder if anyone has the same experience and prefers the charging handle to be on the left side instead of the right. Thanks guys!
 
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That makes sense as that is something I really like about the Skout epoch. Being no hammer spring to compress the cocking is so easy you can do it without letting go of the grip by just using a finger or 2. It’s actually quite convenient. I can see what you are saying for sure. Would just take time to get used to the lever being on the other side.
 
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I was surprised myself that the left side handle felt so good and convenient. I wish changing the handle side would be as easy as on Marauder on every airgun, but I'm stuck with the right side with every other I have in my stack. I think I'll keep the Marauders left-handed for now, as I like it very much. Thanks for sharing your experience!
 
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Hi Uladz,
I am a left hand shooter but also keep my charge handles in right side.
With that I can keep my hold - recharge the rifle without moving the eye and hold on the handle and trigger.
It is especially convenient when I use my ManuLoaders with pellets - With the grip and eye still in shooting position i can with my right hand:
1 open the bolt
2 turn the rotor on the manuloader one click.
3 close the bolt
4 aim and shoot - Eye never left the target during the reloading process.....

I do also wonder why most use the trigger hand to recharge the rifle...
 
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Doing it "wrong"...not at all. You need to do what's comfortable to...YOU. Don't pay any attention to anyone else saying that you are doing something wrong.
MANY...things can be done in MANY...different ways. You need to satisfy you, and your shooting, not anyone else.

For the record, I also have all of my guns (that can be swapped), have the cocking handle on the left side, while being right handed. I'd much rather keep a good purchase on the grip, and remove the forend grip to cock the gun, than to remove my hand from the grip if I have a comfortable grip going.

Mike
 
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Exactly what I'm thinking! And it's really convenient especially in bullpup confirmation because I can balance the gun just fine holding it in one hand. Glad to hear that I'm not alone in this "feeling" :). Now I wonder if I'd better be buying left-handed guns from now on. While I'd love it if a gun allows you to swap the charging handle side, but I was looking through my stash and don't think I have any other that lets me swap sides easily. Sigh...
 
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I'm right-handed and prefer left hand cocking on my bench rifles but right hand cocking on my plinking, pesting and hunting guns.

The difference being that I don't need to support/hold up the weight of my bench rifles where with the airguns I shoot offhand I do.

Interestingly, I much prefer the left-lever cocking on my HW44 pistol than the right-lever on the PP750. It makes sense not to have to swap the pistol hand to hand when recharging. That's the same reason I use left-handed baitcasting reels when fishing.

Go with whatever is comfortable/convenient for you.

Cheers!
 
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With pistols, it's a no-brainer, cocking level is fairly light and easy to operate with your left hand. I think the guess the reason why right-handed rifles have right side handle is because the effort it requires to charge it. If your left hand is strong enough to operate the handle, then go for it. I'm keeping my Marauders in left-handed configuration :).
 
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