Altering safety selector lever for lefty shooter

[fitz]

I am a left hand shooter and cannot get a comfortable grip with the safety location of the L1A1. Any ideas on modifying the shape or location of the safety to relieve this problem?

[ September 09, 2001: Message edited by: gary.jeter ]

[EMDII]

I'm LH also. Get an Israeli selector (I use one). They are out of the way when selected to semi.

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1*.....Train Like You Fight: Second Place is NOT an Option.

E.M. (Ted) Dannemiller II

[stimpsonjcat]

Hmmm...while this isn't a problem for me...it did get me thinking.

It wouldn't be impossible to hack a selector off where it would normally go through the lower and then tap the existing selector from the right side and rig it so you could attach the hacked selector onto the right side.

Poof! an Ambidextrous safety! Too bad I don't have any let handed buds who would pay me to try this.

peace!

[EMDII]

Well, you opened your big mouth. I, a GA FAL friend, and LH at that, would be 'intrigued', shall we say. But, truth be know, the operating lever is not 'ambi'. We need a mirror image?

What do you think?

------------------
1*.....Train Like You Fight: Second Place is NOT an Option.

E.M. (Ted) Dannemiller II

[woodmann]

Another lefty here. Been thinking the same thing for a while. I'd be interested.
P.S. I'm interested in ambi for STG-58.

[This message has been edited by woodmann (edited December 11, 2000).]

[Sgt Rock]

Youv'e piqued my interest. Get back to you guys in a couple weeks after I make an ambi selector.

[paintballmagnet]

I am a lefty also. To fix the selector I cut the bottom half off with a milling machine, then re-shape with belt sander and run through parko tank. This could be done with a pedestal grinder and a file, just takes a little longer. Please add me to the list! I'll take one, perhaps two Ambi's!

[me]

Well I'm not left handed - but I did build
a complete selector switch from scratch at
one point (i.e machined on a lathe &
milling machine from bar stock).

Long story,
I bought a FAL without one, and there were
no convenient suppliers in the country so...

The trouble about making a LH selector
switch would be getting it in to the lower
since it's held in the lower with a flat
piece of spring steel.

The only idea I can come up with is making
an LH selector switch with a thread cut
through the shaft so you could screw on the
switch to the shaft form the other side.

Of course a true LH conversion of the whole
rifle would entail:

- LH selector switch
- milling the recesses in the lower to
hold the selector switch properly.
- LH ejector block
- LH bolt to go with LH ejector block
- LH dustcover

Sounds like a lot of work.

-- ME

[stimpsonjcat]

Alright then Ted...throw me an old selector and I'll get right on it!

I can fab the right side selector out of mild steel for now.

So are we trying to get rid of the left side lever as much as possible? Or simply adding an additional lever to the right side?

If we are trying to move the selector from left side to right side I may be able to re-use the cut off selector. Might make fab easier and more 'stock' looking.

peace!

[derek huffman, azexarms]

rather than trying to "reinvent" the wheel, why not drill and tap the existing selector, since it must come out a certain way and interface with the "sectors" (dents) on the left side of the lower rec'r to positively click into safe and fire modes, and instead, drill/tap the right side of the selector, make a small lever from scratch, and bolt it to the existing selector stub. Then merely stamp your "S" and "F" in the appropriate places, the left side of the selector will still get to do it's job, and you will have a left handed/ambi gun. D.

[stimpsonjcat]

errr...that's pretty much what I meant to say Derek.

the only tricky part is getting the removable right side assembly indexed properly and making a reliable linkage between the removable peice and the existing selector shaft.

using 2 selectors and butchering one for the right side would be easiest. But hey, if we're talking prototype then I can fab it up almost as easily...no need to waste 2 selectors til we get it right!

Besides, I think the lefties are looking to get rid of at least a portion of the normal selector as it seems itinterferes with their grip...different issue than just an ambi safety.

peace!

[Noname]

As per Derek said....Copy the amby design on the AR15 selector.

[fitz]

The idea for a lefty is to get rid as much as possible the left side safety or relocate it to the right. I've ordered the Israeli selector to see if that's the solution. If I can't make it work with my very limited experience,simpsonjcat will have a selector to play with.

[derek huffman, azexarms]

sorry Stimpy, I have to blaze through the boards and sometimes dont read the entire thread. Ooops. D.

[chet]

If anybody does some of these (a la AR15 amb)- I'd be in for one maybe two. I'd want it ambi, too, not moved from side to the other. stimpsonjcat, the Ar15 ambi selectors 'index' by having a groove milled into the selector shaft on the right side in addition to tapping it for a small allen head screw. Mine has machine threads but a wood screw type head. The new lever has a ridge on the inside face of the lever bisected by the screw hole. The screw hole is also chamfered for the wood screw type flush mount head. I mount the selector (left side) as normal. Then, align the ridge and groove, press fit together shaft and lever and then insert screw and tighten. Besides having to have an allen wrench with the gun for detail stripping/cleaning, it hasn't given me a lick of trouble. I think it would be easy for a decent machinist to use 2 FAL selectors to make one of these type ambi selectors. I've have also heard that inch mag releases are easier than metric ones for the trigger finger of lefties. Anyone know? I don't have an inch gun.
HTH, CHET
Tried like hell to use cheap camera to get digital photo of my AR ambi selector but didn't turn out. Lefty AR shooters: Norgon makes a great lefty mag release for all Ar15/M16 rifles. Try one. You'll like it.

[stimpsonjcat]

Yep...that's basically the plan of attack I had in mind Chet.

There are really 2 seperate issues here:

-Lefties want a selector with little or no swing arm on the left side of lower and a selector assembly on the right side.

-Some folks want an 'ambi'...i.e. selector on both sides.

I will try to make both...I need to know where to get some cheap selectors. Or if anyone wants to donate some to the project, they would obviously reap the eventual reward of whichever form of selector they were interested in.

Come to think of it...I bet this would make a great auctionable item to benefit the FALfiles.

So who wants to sell me some cheap selectors?

peace!

[Sgt Rock]

OK everyone ! As per my earlier post I now have one ready to jump into someones rifle. It is ambi made from two selectors. The right side arm attaches with a screw and the arm is keyed to the shaft. If I do say so myself I did an excellent job. Anyone interested post your desires here on the site.

[chet]

What kind of finish is left on it? How much would you be asking?
CHET

[EMDII]

S-cat

I want an ambi-, as opposed to a leftie selector. So wee need to drill and tap the stud for a selector lever on the RS of the TMH, attached to the original. Starting w/ a selector that is 'out of the way' allows you to keep both sides. You never know when your left hand will have something in it, of which you don't wish to let go (let's see: M-26 frag and spoon; girlfriend/wife; good bottle of tequila, if it exists!). Then you'll want that original RH selector. http://www.fnfal.com/forums/wink.gif

Let me know.


------------------
1*.....Train Like You Fight: Second Place is NOT an Option.

E.M. (Ted) Dannemiller II

[Sgt Rock]

Chet
All the finish is intact on the original selector. The selector that gave up its arm for the other side didn't have much finish on it to begin with and is still that way. With all the different finishes that we have on our guns it seems that the end user will determine finish. I don't yet have a camera so am unable to post picture. I need to build a few more to get a better idea as to time spent to build to figure price. However I think we could mail this one around to get feedback on pros and cons. What say you all? If you supply your current selector for alterations its finish will be unafected as you will see on the prototype. I would guess somewhere between $50. to $75. but this is a guess at this early stage of the game.

[stimpsonjcat]

OK Ted...I think I see what you want.

I may go ahead and grab a set of selectors from gunthings since I need a new LS and a few springs anyway. If I do, any particular type you'd prefer? I was going to go with whatever was cheapest since I may be tearing it up.

peace!

Oh...At somepoint I can get the part dark grey park'd.

[woodmann]

Since this thing seems to be becoming a reality,I have a request--can someone post a pic of an israeli selector--if it's truly out of a lefty's way it would seem that it would be the natural one to use for the conversion. We might as well get this thing right to start with. Sound good? Thanks in advance.

[Sgt Rock]

When I tried an izzy selector the spring loaded pin that holds the selector in place for full/safe/semi is not in the same location as that on the stg/fn. Also for the lever to be out of the way of my trigger finger it is in the full auto position and the hammer just follows the bolt into battery. In the semi position the lever is between 6 and 7 oclock. Hey EMDII did you make other adjustments to yours so that it would function as you said or did I missread something. I found I had to curl my left hand index finger around the lever to put my finger on the trigger. Are you using an izzy lower with part of the full auto slot filled in so that it will fire semi? Thanks in advance.

[W.E.G.]

btt

[FWRA]

Boy, a bunch of lefties out here! Me too.

I'm used to operating the controls as is but I will NEVER get used to hot brass in my hair and down my shirt. Seems I stand too far right when shooting indoors and the brass bounces of the wall and "homes right in" to either my head, or down my shirt.

Of course the scars are like FAL medals to me. :-)

I have no complaints with the standard setup.

Mark

[riffraff]

BTT ???

[kc8kk]

Oops! Started same topic in General Discussion. Also lefty, also gets in the way- but I don't need ambi, just something smaller (shorter) that doesn't dig into my trigger finger.

[Onslaught]

Gentlemen...

I recalled this topic from a few months ago when I was in the market for an FAL...

I too am a leftie, but with NO machining skills whatsoever...

What I wanted to ask either Sgt Rock or StimpsonJCat is this... (and I hope I'm not insulting anyone by asking) If I supplied you with 2 safety selectors for an M1 Carbine, could you do a similar job on it? I don't need the right side gone, I just want to add the left side to it. As mentioned before, playing with my Ambi- AR-15, I realized that the M1 Carbine could be a candidate for similar mods. And yes, the Norgon Ambi-Catch is a MUST HAVE for lefties like myself.

Just e-mail me if either of you are interested, and what sort of monetary incentive you'd require if I supplied the parts....

Thanks,

Onslaught

[symtex]

Im a lefty too but want ambi so if I let someone else shoot it they can work with it too. I may get five or more.... This would be awsome!!!

[fal_shooter]

Somebody was offering a Ambi selector on this board about a year ago. As I remember he even had pictures posted. I want one also.
:D

[stimpsonjcat]

I still have the two selectors I bought to do this.

Never got around to it.

Ted, you still want this ambi-thing?

[EMDII]

Originally posted by stimpsonjcat:
<STRONG>...Ted, you still want this ambi-thing?</STRONG>

Aah-wooh! (leg thumping on the ground, tail wagging!)

<regains composure> Sure! What you have in mind!

I think I'm visitng Kennesaw Mon-Wed. Any ideas?

MANY thanks for remembering!

[F4GIB]

Originally posted by Sgt Rock
If you supply your current selector for alterations its finish will be unafected as you will see on the prototype. I would guess somewhere between $50. to $75. but this is a guess at this early stage of the game.

Is this offer still good? I'd like to get several sets of LH safety/selectors.

[Radio]

And I thought it would have been Tracy Ballard bringing back this ancient thread.

--Radio :tongue:

[F4GIB]

What's "ancient" got to do with anything?

Is there some Forum Rule (perhaps known only to MODERATORS) that requires me to start a new one?

The fact is that DSA's ambi selector is a POS and there is an opportunity for someone to make money by meeting this need.

[ggiilliiee]

had em for years ...just mill a slot on the stud side ....make coresponding lever with boss to fit into slot on original lever ..drill and tap it ..to remove pull the 6/32 and remove like normal .......done son...off ya go ..:bow:...Im not a lefty but made a nice triggy fingie rest for runnin and gunnin ....keeps those pesky (fingie in the trig guard) ro's off yer ass ...:)..how many do ya want ??????.....how much ya got ..../???hehehe :wink:

[stimpsonjcat]

I never did make this for Ted, I swear I thought he didn't want it anymore.

I'll try to find time to make one.

[Radio]

Geez F4GIB, get your radar lock off me. It's been amusing to see what next ancient thread Ballard can dig up. He's been doing it a bunch lately.

It's funny to see people respond to old threads, not having paid attention to the date, even to the point of asking a bunch of questions of members who haven't posted for years and may even be dead or something. (Hint to the unsuspecting: if you see a bunch of guys with three- and low four-digit numbers in a thread, that might give you a clue.)

Maybe you should switch to decaf while I continue evasive maneuvers and drop some chaff. :biggrin:

--Radio