6 Best Left-Handed AR-15s [2024]: A Southpaw’s Guide

Left-handed AR-15s are a game-changer in the world of firearms, specifically designed to address the unique needs of left-handed shooters.

In standard AR-15s, the ejection port is on the right side, causing spent casings to eject across the body of left-handed shooters, which can be distracting and potentially hazardous.

An ideal left-handed AR-15 will have the ejection port on the left side, allowing casings to be ejected away from the body, enhancing safety and comfort for left-handed users. But that’s not going to be the case for most ARs.

Traditional firearms, including many AR-15 models, are typically geared toward right-handed users, which can pose challenges for left-handed individuals.

Here are some key points left-handed shooters need to remember when looking at AR-15s:

1. Customization with left-handed upper receivers and ambidextrous controls can greatly enhance usability for lefties.
2. Stag Arms and Rock River Arms are leading manufacturers of left-handed AR-15s.
3. Ambidextrous rifles offer flexibility, accommodating both left and right-handed users.

In this guide, we’ll delve into the specifics of left-handed AR-15s – rifles tailored to offer a more natural, comfortable, and efficient experience for left-handed users.

We’ll explore how to build and customize these rifles, what features to look for when purchasing, and provide valuable insights for left-handed riflemen. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or new to the world of firearms, understanding the intricacies of left-handed AR-15s is crucial for enhancing your shooting experience and performance.

Let’s begin by breaking down the key considerations and options for left-handed shooters in the AR-15 market.

Image	Product	Price
	Best Overall – Faxon Firearms ARAK-21 XRS Complete Rifle	Check Price
	Best Value – Stag 15 Classic 16” Rifle with Nitride Barrel in 5.56mm	Check Price
	Best AR-15 for Ambidextrous Shooters – Stag 15 3-Gun 16” Rifle with Stainless Barrel in .223 Wylde	Check Price
	Best Short Barrel Left-Handed AR-15 – Stag 15L SL SBR	Check Price
	Best Tactical Left-Handed AR-15 – Rock River Arms LEF-T Coyote LAR-15LH AR-15 Carbine	Check Price
	Best Customizable Left-Handed AR-15 – Stag 15L Tactical	Check Price

Left-handed shooters often face significant challenges due to the scarcity of firearms designed for their needs, such as the lack of left-side ejector ports and the necessity to adapt to right-handed gun mechanisms.

Despite making up 12% of the population, left-handed gun owners frequently contend with issues like dangerous ejecting casings from right-sided semi-automatic rifles like AR-15s, and the inconvenience of improperly placed magazine releases, bolt cycling, and safety controls.

These factors not only pose safety risks but also impact their shooting accuracy, speed, and overall comfort, highlighting the need for more inclusive and diverse firearm designs in the market.

Left-handed shooters should prioritize AR-15s with ambidextrous controls or models specifically designed for left-handed operation.

Key features to look for include a left-side ejector port to avoid hot brass ejection towards the face and easily accessible safety, magazine release, and charging handles suited for left-hand use.

Additionally, considering rifles with adjustable stock options can enhance comfort and shooting ergonomics for left-handed users.

Before diving headfirst into this problem plaguing left-handers, let’s look at the difference between ambidextrous (we’ll call it ambi for short), left-handed, and right-handed rifles.

Ambidextrous, Right-Handed, or Left-Handed?

Nowadays, we have gun manufacturers seriously considering ambidextrous designs for future guns for a more inclusive approach to all the gun enthusiasts in the world. There’s no excuse to exclude lefties from proper rifles.

Remember that there’s no need to buy brand-new rifles when you can easily accessorize and customize your AR-15s with upper receivers, barrels, triggers, etc. All kinds of rifles and uppers will suit you no matter which hand is your dominant hand.

Let’s take a look at the hand dominance design difference in guns:

• Ambidextrous – Ambidextrous refers to the ability to use both hands. Ambidextrous parts in guns, like barrels and safeties, are much easier to install. Left-handed users greatly benefit from such guns.
• Left-Handed – Many parts, such as ambidextrous safeties, are mounted on the AR-15‘s lower receiver. You can turn them on by clicking on the protection pad. The ejector’s port is on the upper receiver’s left-hand side. This is the most important issue for left-handers – they are just looking for an AR-15 that doesn’t feed them brass. It should be the other way around.
• Right-Handed – The ejector port is on the right side of the upper receiver.

Customizing Your Left-Handed AR-15 Could Be Cheaper

There is no “best left-handed AR-15”.

One of the reasons why manufacturers avoid focusing on left-hand rifles is because it’s pretty easy to customize your rifle. You can accessorize your rifles with left-handed upper receivers to suit your needs.

Swap out the upper receiver and a bolt (not the bolt carrier group), add a shell deflector with an A2/A4 pattern, and you’ll be fine. The bolt needs to be MIL-SPEC or better, and you can also go for a forged MIL-SPEC or a full-out billet on the upper receiver for proper cycling. You can also install integrated ambi controls on the lower receiver.

There are so many possibilities.

The primary consideration for left-handed riflemen is not to be hit by flying brass from the right-handed, semi-auto rifle ejector.

Companies like Davidson Defense and Stag Arms make solid, high-quality upper receivers and bolt carrier groups, and custom builds are often cheaper than already assembled left-handed or ambidextrous rifles.

EXPERT TIP: Explore customization options for right-handed rifles. Adding left-handed uppers, ambidextrous safeties, and specialized grips can significantly improve your shooting experience.

Best Left-Handed Gun Manufacturers for AR-15s

When looking for left-handed AR-15s, you can’t go wrong with one of the few prominent names in gun manufacturing – Stag Arms and Rock River.

You’ve probably heard about Stag Arms. Founded in 2003 by a leftie, the Connecticut-based company has cemented its name as one of the best manufacturers and innovators of AR-15s. They offer a mirror image upper and a reversed ejection port for lefties.

Sadly, in December 2015, the company came under fire concerning unserialized firearms.

It has been found that Stag Arms did not comply with manufacturing record-keeping requirements. After this, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ordered Stag Arms’ CEO to divest all interest in Stag Arms.

Oddly enough, the CEO was a staunch proponent of stricter gun laws and was named National Shooting Sports Foundation’s “Business Person of the Year” in 2014.

Luckily, White Wolf Capital, a private equity firm, acquired Stag Arms in 2016, much to the joy of left-handed gun enthusiasts in the US.

Details aside, here’s our top list of left-handed AR-15 rifles. We’ll also mention a few receivers and accessories here and there for your convenience.

You have a better chance of finding a four-leaf clover. You don’t usually get to see left-handed AR-15s in stock because, let’s face it, there’s not much demand for southpaw rifles. The customer base is practically non-existent. But this doesn’t mean we get to discriminate against our fellow gun enthusiasts.

Here’s our overall top pick AR-15 for left-handed folks.

Best Overall – ARAK-21 XRS Complete Rifle

Specifications

Pros & Cons

The ARAK-21 XRS is a stellar choice if you’re looking for a left-handed AR-15 and for several important reasons.

The upper receiver is machined from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum, ensuring long-term durability and quality performance. That same commitment to quality can be seen throughout the firearm, including its long-stroke variable setting gas piston system (enabling single-shot operation) and the ambidextrous charging handle.

Even better, this left-handed AR-15 can use the same bolt extractor as its right-handed counterpart by removing the default cam pin, rotating at 180°, and reinserting it. The rifle is also fitted with an ambidextrous safety and selector, enabling both lefties and righties to use it equally well.

Don’t forget the enlarged, heavily integrated trigger guard, which will help you practice good firearm safety. When you purchase this rifle, you can choose the coating: anodized black or Cerakote FDE/OD for even better longevity. The guarded and guided magazine release is also phenomenal for mitigating jamming problems.

Best Value – Stag 15 Classic 16” Rifle with Nitride Barrel in 5.56mm

Specifications

Pros & Cons

The Stag 15 is affordable and perfect for budget-minded left-handed AR-15 users. This platform is durable, high-quality, and made to mil-spec standards to ensure long-term performance.

Aspects like the nitride barrel and slimline free-float handguard make this a joy to operate. It’s also a highly versatile AR-15 rifle, featuring a six-position buttstock that you can adjust to ensure perfect performance and total comfort while you shoot.

On top of that, if you order the complete AR-15 rifle from Stag Arms, you’ll get a transferable lifetime warranty. That extends to similar products, plus it comes with an infinite shot barrel guarantee plus a magazine. All in all, this one purchase has a lot of value.

Best AR-15 for Ambidextrous Shooters – Stag 15 3-Gun 16” Rifle with Stainless Barrel in .223 Wylde

Specifications

Pros & Cons

The Stag 15 3-Gun 16” Rifle is another excellent option for left-handed users or those who prefer ambidextrous rifle operation. With a super accurate 16” stainless steel barrel, accuracy and consistency are the name of the game.

This rifle is also excellent thanks to its Hiperfire Hipertough Competition trigger. This eliminates creep and provides you with stellar, consistent, competition-level performance at all times, making it perfect for those who want instant responses each time they pull the trigger.

The Breach Charging Handle works well with the ambidextrous safety to ensure comfortable rifle operation from any angle.

Like the other Stag firearm above, this rifle has a lifetime transferable warranty plus an infinite shot barrel guarantee for added value. 

Stag 15L Tactical

Specifications

Pros & Cons

While we’re at Stag Arms, here’s the overall best left-handed AR-15 – the Stag 15L Tactical.

It’s a left-handed answer to the signature Stag 15 rifle. It’s a very accurate, comfortable, and easy-to-customize AR-15 that is in compliance with US laws in selected states.

With a mirror image BCG (bolt carrier group), left-side ejection port, Magpul MOE pistol grip, Magpul CTR buttstock, and selector switch on the right side, the Stag 15L is the ultimate left-handed AR-15.

It comes in either 5.56 NATO or the .223 caliber with a 30-round magazine. Whichever caliber you use, the Stag 15L Tactical has fantastic reliability and ease of use. There’s a 400-round reliability guarantee with this rifle. The MIL-SPEC trigger might be slightly heavy for precision shooting, but it’s crisp, and it’s easy to catch a rhythm.

The rifle’s 16-inch chrome-lined barrel with a 1/7 twist rate has a carbine gas system and a MIL-SPEC single-stage AR-15 trigger. The Stag 15 is outfitted with standard polymer furniture for a factory-built AR. The safety selector is specifically designed for left-handed shooters and ensures the user won’t get injured while shooting.

The Stag 15L can also be equipped with an enhanced trigger guard for more convenient glove use. You can also equip a Stag 15 M-LOK 13.5-inch free-floating handguard with a QD point at each end, allowing you to use a 2-point sling.

As far as left-handed rifles and high-quality accessories go, the Stag 15L Tactical offers nothing but the best.

It’s easily one of the most suitable and well-balanced AR-15 rifles for lefties without compromising precision and reliability.

You can feel the ease right-handed riflemen do with this one.

It’s available in right-hand and left-hand models and is best purposed for hunting, target ranges, and home defense.

Also, Stag just released a new AR-15 in a limited edition called the SPCTRM. These things are sick. Check out our Stag Arms SPCTRM review for more information, but in the meantime, see a preview image below.

Rock River Arms LEF-T Coyote LAR-15LH AR-15 Carbine

Specifications

Pros & Cons

Rock River Arms is another manufacturer we mentioned earlier. They have sincere sympathies for our fellow lefties, and the Coyote LAR-15LH proves that they’re here to offer more options on the market for left-handed riflemen.

You also have other LAR-15LH models like the Carbine A4, and the 10.5” AR-15 223/5.56 Pistol for variety if you’re looking for an SBA3 arm brace, Picatinny rails, and other customization options.

The Coyote LAR-15LH is a modern sporting rifle built for left-handers. It’s a semi-automatic AR-15 chambered in 223 Remington/5.56x45mm NATO with a 30-round mag capacity.

It emphasizes long-range powerhouse shooting.

It’s pretty compact for an AR-15, and it’s very comfortable. It includes a CAR stock type, Smith Vortex flash hider, and a left-handed, chrome/molybdenum steel barrel with a twist rate of 1:9” and 16” in length. With a 7.2 pound weight, it’s the heaviest on the list, but it packs a mean punch.

The safety is ambidextrous, the lower receiver is an RRA LAR-15LH handguard. It includes an ambidextrous magazine release, and the upper is forged A4 LEF-T, which is M-LOK compatible and offers the freedom for customization. The Hogue rubber pistol grip is very comfortable for the skilled shooter.

The rifle magazine includes an RRA hard case, manual, and warranty info. Rock River usually goes for a lifetime warranty.

Built explicitly for southpaws, the LEF-T LAR-15LH features a left-hand twist barrel, left-sided ejection port, left-handed charging handle, left-hand lower, left-hand upper, left-side forward assist… and what else is left?

As Rock River Arms would say: ‘Left Made Right.’

Stag 15L SL SBR

Specifications

Pros & Cons

Here’s yet another Stag Arms 15L SL SBR that emphasizes durability and reliability.

It comes with a Magpul CTR stock, available in right and left-hand configurations, with a durable polymer material to reduce recoil and control.

The 15L SL SBR also comes with a free-floating 13.5-inch M-LOK Slimline handguard with quad rails, as one of the best accessories a left-handed rifleman can have. It doesn’t improve accuracy much, but it allows faster heat dissipation.

Additionally, the Stag 15L SL SBR offers a left-handed safety selector with a 30-round PMAG free of charge. It’s chambered in 5.56 NATO, and the trigger pull is decent, but it could use more work. That being said, the rifle is a great choice if you’re looking for accuracy.

The Stag 15 SL SBR features a 14.5-inch 1/7 QPQ Barrel, A2 birdcage flash hider, and MIL-SPEC manganese phosphate-coated M16 bolt carrier group.

The manufacturer is kind enough to offer a lifetime warranty, although you probably won’t need it since this one is highly durable and can take a beating. Stag Arms is confident in its manufacture, and if you want durability, accuracy, and an insured rifle that can shoot as the day is long, go for a 15L SBR.

Our guide on the best AR-15 ammo discusses the importance of selecting the right ammunition for your AR-15, emphasizing that the choice depends on your preferences and your rifle’s characteristics.

When choosing ammunition for your AR-15, it’s essential to match the ammo with your rifle’s specifications, such as barrel length, twist rate, and gas system, as these can significantly affect performance.

It’s also important to balance cost and performance, ensuring you get reliable ammunition that suits your budget.

Experimenting with different types of ammunition is key, as each rifle may have its own preference, impacting accuracy and overall shooting experience. Testing various options will help you determine the best choice for your specific AR-15.

For a comprehensive understanding and specific recommendations, read our full article on selecting the best AR-15 ammo.

Michelangelo painted with his left hand. Isaac Newton was a leftie, too. It’s strange how lefties were regarded as gifted clairvoyants, geniuses, and magicians.

The hostility towards left-handed folks can be traced back throughout history, and there has never been a population at any point in time where left-handed people dominate. But, we’re not here to discuss anthropology.

This doesn’t mean anything. The prejudices have to stop sooner or later, and we need to see more work put into design and manufacturing to include people of all hand orientations.

This includes weapons manufacturers that should consider production for more left-handed customization and ready-made weapons for our fellow lefties.

EXPERT TIP: Join communities or forums for left-handed shooters. Sharing experiences and tips can provide valuable insights and recommendations for suitable AR-15s and modifications.

Finding the best left-handed AR-15 rifle is challenging. If it wasn’t for customization, it could have been way harder. So, whether you’re going for a fresh one out of the box or customizing with your own uppers and lowers, make sure to grab the right ones.

And pardon the pun!