Reversing 10/22 Safety for Lefties

Mike Kilo Niner · January 21, 2001, 11:55 PM

I couldn't pass up a deal on a sweet little scoped 10/22 at the Gun Show this weekend -- "lovingly used."

I have only one problem: being a southpaw in a... northpaw's (?) world

, somebody incosiderately went and stuck the safety on backwards!

Can a mere mortal who's reasonably handy with tools correct this problem, or is this a job for a professional? Or can it even be done? Advice and/or links would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

AR-10 · January 22, 2001, 08:30 AM

My advice is don't mess with it. I'm a lefty too,and I have had several opportunities to consider this issue. If you change the set-up and get used to it,good for you-for now. What if you lend the gun to someone else,even for five minutes? what if you borrow someone elses gun after getting used to the way yours operates? It's not worth the risk. Just use it the way it's made. My two cents.

Mike Kilo Niner · January 22, 2001, 10:00 AM

AR-10,

I appreciate the sentiment, but it's a gun I'd like to use to hunt rabbits and other small game -- quick transition from "safe" to "by-by-Bugs" is important to me. Besides, I never really rely on a mechanical safety, and I've been accused of being the "safety Nazi" every time I let someone touch my guns.

Regardless, thanks for the reply.

Tupperware · January 23, 2001, 01:08 AM

http://www.brownells.com

search for part # 713-000-002

It can be installed left or right-handed.

Mike Kilo Niner · January 23, 2001, 02:09 PM

Tupperware,

Thanks -- that'll certainly do the trick, but it costs almost $30. Does anyone know if the standard safety button can be installed left-handed? If so, any pointers on how to do it? I hate to spend 1/5 of what I paid for the whole rifle and scope just on a safety.

Tupperware · January 23, 2001, 04:01 PM

The standard safety button is a dedicated unit. It can't be reversed without heavy mods as far as I can tell. Brownells dealer cost on the safety is $21.56 and as I understand they will give you this price so long as you register online and indicate that you have a "non-FFL related business".

January 21, 2001, 11:55 PM	#1
Mike Kilo Niner Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2001 Posts: 158	I couldn't pass up a deal on a sweet little scoped 10/22 at the Gun Show this weekend -- "lovingly used." I have only one problem: being a southpaw in a... northpaw's (?) world , somebody incosiderately went and stuck the safety on backwards! Can a mere mortal who's reasonably handy with tools correct this problem, or is this a job for a professional? Or can it even be done? Advice and/or links would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

January 22, 2001, 08:30 AM	#2
AR-10 Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2001 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,182	My advice is don't mess with it. I'm a lefty too,and I have had several opportunities to consider this issue. If you change the set-up and get used to it,good for you-for now. What if you lend the gun to someone else,even for five minutes? what if you borrow someone elses gun after getting used to the way yours operates? It's not worth the risk. Just use it the way it's made. My two cents.

January 22, 2001, 10:00 AM	#3
Mike Kilo Niner Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2001 Posts: 158	AR-10, I appreciate the sentiment, but it's a gun I'd like to use to hunt rabbits and other small game -- quick transition from "safe" to "by-by-Bugs" is important to me. Besides, I never really rely on a mechanical safety, and I've been accused of being the "safety Nazi" every time I let someone touch my guns. Regardless, thanks for the reply.

January 23, 2001, 01:08 AM	#4
Tupperware Member Join Date: June 8, 2000 Location: Virginia Posts: 24	http://www.brownells.com search for part # 713-000-002 It can be installed left or right-handed.

January 23, 2001, 02:09 PM	#5
Mike Kilo Niner Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2001 Posts: 158	Tupperware, Thanks -- that'll certainly do the trick, but it costs almost $30. Does anyone know if the standard safety button can be installed left-handed? If so, any pointers on how to do it? I hate to spend 1/5 of what I paid for the whole rifle and scope just on a safety.

January 23, 2001, 04:01 PM	#6
Tupperware Member Join Date: June 8, 2000 Location: Virginia Posts: 24	The standard safety button is a dedicated unit. It can't be reversed without heavy mods as far as I can tell. Brownells dealer cost on the safety is $21.56 and as I understand they will give you this price so long as you register online and indicate that you have a "non-FFL related business".