Does it matter what side the lock is on a pistol?

[Trapper1993]

I'm left handed so I find myself using left handed rifles but I'm thinking of building a pair of pistols. Does it matter what side the lock is on since I wouldn't have the pan next to my eye? It might be easier to prime if I hold the pistol with my left (dominate) hand and prime with my right

 

[FishDFly]

No it does not matter.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

only if you need to **** it with the same hand you hold the pistol in, which is not likely. I have had 30 or 40 black powder pistols over the years. Had lefties, righties, underhammers and box locks. Even had two pistols with the locks mounted back wards, for instance a right hand lock on the left side with the frizzen to the rear.

 

[Trapper1993]

Excellent. Thank you!

 

[Uncle Miltie]

You could try an underhammer action: these have become hugely popular with competitors in Europe as the aim is not disturbed as often happens with a side hammer lock.

 

[tenngun]

Left handed locks were not really a thing in the past. Southpaws were often forced to live right handed with out accommodation. Not a bad thing since it created very ambidextrous people.
I’ve never seen an historic example of a lefty pistol. But I see a lot of south paw otherwise great repos of rifles and fowlers.
We are here to play, what helps you shoot and enjoy it go for it.

 

[springfield art]

I'm left handed so I find myself using left handed rifles but I'm thinking of building a pair of pistols. Does it matter what side the lock is on since I wouldn't have the pan next to my eye? It might be easier to prime if I hold the pistol with my left (dominate) hand and prime with my right

I once saw, several years ago, a nice left-hand flint custom pistol for sale at the Gunmaker's Fair. I wish I'd bought it! But I'm so used to using all types of right-hand guns, even the UM ones, that it's not a big deal. Just wear eye protection!

 

[TreeMan]

If you’re left handed you are at an advantage. I’m right handed so I have to hold the pistol with my left hand, **** it with my right hand then swap hands to shoot it. You don’t have to swap hands! It’s already in your left hand.

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

Well, according to a very vocal minority here, it doesn't even matter on a rifle. In this case, I agree. No need to make a lefty single shot pistol.

 

[Pete G]

J.P. Beck built a pair that were the mirror image of each other.

 

[mushka]

I guess it depends on what you like to look at for the most part.

 

[Robby]

I have made flintlock pistols in both right and left hand, I have shot them in both right and left hand. I have shot the lefties right handed and the righties left handed. Never had a problem or feeling of inconvenience priming either in either hand.
Robby

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

J.P. Beck built a pair that were the mirror image of each other.

Now those would be kinda cool...

 

[Jdbeck]

J.P. Beck built a pair that were the mirror image of each other.

Even the signature was backwards on one

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

I’ve never seen an historic example of a lefty pistol.

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...65-cal-truitt-bros---co-.cfm?gun_id=101381341

 

[leadhoarder]

This made me realize that the percussion revolver was a truly ambidextrous handgun.

 

[M. De Land]

I'm left handed so I find myself using left handed rifles but I'm thinking of building a pair of pistols. Does it matter what side the lock is on since I wouldn't have the pan next to my eye? It might be easier to prime if I hold the pistol with my left (dominate) hand and prime with my right

I guess one could learn to trick shoot backwards from a mirror that would change the lock side ! Oh wait............. he's lining up on the Parking Lot!!!!!

 

[morehops52]

go with which side feels the most comfortable and natural to you in using it. As a lefty using RH everything I finally got a LH rifle and it just seemed awkward after all those RH action years. I got better.

 

[DixieTexian]

It will make a difference if you want to stick it in your belt.