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

[uladz]

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!

 

[Trucker3573]

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.

 

[uladz]

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!

 

[engfred]

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...

 

[MikeVV]

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

 

[daddypaddy]

definitely feels more natural for me as well. i think it all comes down to muscle memory though. i also think that rifle balance has an influence on the shooter.

 

[uladz]

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...

 

[Vana2]

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!

 

[uladz]

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 .

 

[HogKiller]

At a recent AG competition, the guy that beat the time??? was a righty with a left hand charging handle, never had to move his head or his trigger finger. Makes perfect sense. So no, on this subject you are fine.

 

[Chief Ten-Beers]

Now use it in a Hunting situation needing a follow-up shot.

 

[3Crows]

Do what works best for you. I grew up shooting shotguns left and rifles right. I have slowly migrated fully right. I would not like the charge handle or bolt on the left at all. But, we are all different.

 

[volhashar]

Geez, I did not think about this before. But this is awesome idea. I some from firearms now and I alway liked that PRT (or HK) has they charging handle of the left side of the forehand. And I was always questioning right sided AR style charging. Okay, look like it there same story for airguns ?

 

[dens228]

I’m left handed but prefer the handle on my right.

 

[volhashar]

I guess it's good to be lift handed in out world of airguns

 

[uladz]

^^^ this

 

[KatoKevin454]

I'm a Lefty and prefer right handed guns, I've shot right handed guns since I was a little kid so I'm used to them, as long as the bolt doesn't hit the top of the thumb and rip the skin off.... Ouch (Mosin-Nagant).... Air guns no problem...

 

[jmohme]

My RTI Prophet come in left hand only configuration. It took me all of one magazine to decide that left is the way to go.

 

[MrP]

I have a kral empire xs and moved the lever to the left side. The only time it's not convenient is when not using a magazine because my carm single shot tray loads from the right side, so I end up having to release my grip anyway. I would like to get a single shot tray that can be loaded from the left side.

 

[uladz]

I have XS. How did you manage to move it to the right side? When you swap the handle to the left it inverts and actually looks up kind of. I.e. the handle is not really interchangeable between right and left. But it can be done technically I agree.