Ambidextrous Optics-Ready Carry Handguns

For most gun owners, picking up and operating a handgun is natural. With a right-hand grip, the right thumb can easily push up to manipulate the slide stop and sweep down to press the magazine release. However, for left-handed shooters, performing the same manipulations can be more of a challenge due controls being on the same side as their grip hand – forcing lefties to use their trigger finger or support hand.

Making up only 10% of the U.S. population, it’s easy to understand why firearm and other manufacturers don’t cater to those who are left-handed. Generally, it doesn’t make financial sense to produce a niche product for a small segment of the market and ambidextrous products can be more complicated to design. But that doesn’t mean left-handed shooters are without options – albeit fewer.

Of the available ambidextrous handgun options, many are from European manufacturers. We’re not entirely sure why, but it probably has to do with fulfilling requirements of military/law enforcement firearm contracts. Other manufacturers – American and international – have specific models with full left and right controls, or a reversible magazine release at a minimum.

To assist left-handed shooters in selecting user-friendly, modern carry guns, we rounded up all the ambidextrous and optics-ready handguns we could find currently on the market.

To qualify for this list, handguns were limited to various characteristics. Firearms must have been (1) of reasonable concealed carry size, meaning having a compact frame or smaller, (2) chambered in 9mm, and (3) offered a factory-cut slide to accept a red dot of any optic footprint.

Handguns are then split into two categories. Full ambidextrous guns have left and right slide stop and magazine release controls, while semi-ambidextrous handguns have a left and right slide stop with a reversible magazine release that can be switched from one side to the other. Thumb/manual safeties were not considered for this article, though some are also fully ambidextrous.

Handguns are listed in alphabetical order with comparable specs.

Full Ambidextrous Optics-Ready

Fully ambidextrous guns have a left and right slide stop and magazine release.

AREX Delta Gen.2 M

• Frame Size: Compact
• Capacity: 15 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 4.0”
• Optic Footprint: Multi
• Weight: 20.6 oz
• View Full Specs

FN 509 CC Edge

• Frame Size: Subcompact
• Capacity: 12 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 4.2”
• Optic Footprint: Multi
• Weight: 25.5 oz
• View Full Specs

FN 509 Compact MRD

• Frame Size: Subcompact
• Capacity: 12 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 3.7”
• Optic Footprint: Multi
• Weight: 25.5 oz
• View Full Specs

FN 509 Compact MRD Comp

• Frame Size: Subcompact
• Capacity: 12 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 4.2”
• Optic Footprint: Multi
• Weight: 25.5 oz
• View Full Specs

FN 509 Compact Tactical

• Frame Size: Subcompact
• Capacity: 12 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 4.3”
• Optic Footprint: Multi
• Weight: 26.2 oz
• View Full Specs

FN 509 Midsize MRD

• Frame Size: Compact
• Capacity: 15 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 4.0”
• Optic Footprint: Multi
• Weight: 26.5 oz
• View Full Specs

FN 509 Midsize Tactical

• Frame Size: Compact
• Capacity: 15 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 4.5”
• Optic Footprint: Multi
• Weight: 27.9 oz
• View Full Specs

Heckler & Koch VP9SK OR

• Frame Size: Subcompact
• Capacity: 10 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 3.4”
• Optic Footprint: Multi
• Weight: 23.1 oz
• View Full Specs

Heckler & Koch VP9SK-B OR

• Frame Size: Subcompact
• Capacity: 10 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 3.4”
• Optic Footprint: Multi
• Weight: 23.1 oz
• View Full Specs

Kimber R7 MAKO (OR)

• Frame Size: Micro Compact
• Capacity: 11 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 3.4”
• Optic Footprint: RMSc
• Weight: 19.5 oz
• View Full Specs

Rost Martin RM1C

• Frame Size: Compact
• Capacity: 15 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 4.0”
• Optic Footprint: Multi
• Weight: 21.1 oz
• View Full Specs

SIG Sauer P320 RXP Compact

• Frame Size: Compact
• Capacity: 15 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 3.9”
• Optic Footprint: DeltaPoint Pro
• Weight: 26.3 oz
• View Full Specs

SIG Sauer P320 XCompact / RXP XCompact

• Frame Size: Compact
• Capacity: 15 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 3.6”
• Optic Footprint: DeltaPoint Pro
• Weight: 25.8 oz
• View Full Specs

Semi Ambidextrous Optics-Ready

Semi ambidextrous guns have a left and right slide stop and reversible magazine release.

Beretta APX A1 Compact

• Frame Size: Compact
• Capacity: 15 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 3.7”
• Optic Footprint: Multi
• Weight: 27.7 oz
• View Full Specs

Beretta APX A1 Compact Tactical

• Frame Size: Compact
• Capacity: 15 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 4.2”
• Optic Footprint: Multi
• Weight: 27.7 oz
• View Full Specs

Canik TP9 Elite SC

• Frame Size: Subcompact
• Capacity: 12 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 3.6”
• Optic Footprint: RMSc
• Weight: 24.8 oz
• View Full Specs

Canik Mete MC9

• Frame Size: Micro Compact
• Capacity: 12 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 3.2”
• Optic Footprint: RMSc
• Weight: 21.3 oz
• View Full Specs

Canik Mete SF

• Frame Size: Compact
• Capacity: 15 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 4.2”
• Optic Footprint: RMSc
• Weight: 28.0 oz
• View Full Specs

CZ P-10S OR

• Frame Size: Subcompact
• Capacity: 12 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 3.5”
• Optic Footprint: Multi
• Weight: 24.4 oz
• View Full Specs

CZ P-10C OR

• Frame Size: Compact
• Capacity: 15 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 4.0”
• Optic Footprint: Multi
• Weight: 26.3 oz
• View Full Specs

CZ P-10C OR SR

• Frame Size: Compact
• Capacity: 15 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 4.6”
• Optic Footprint: Multi
• Weight: 27.1 oz
• View Full Specs

Glock 19 Gen5 MOS

• Frame Size: Compact
• Capacity: 15 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 4.0”
• Optic Footprint: Multi
• Weight: 23.8 oz
• View Full Specs

Smith & Wesson M&P 9 2.0 Compact 3.6"

• Frame Size: Compact
• Capacity: 15 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 3.6”
• Optic Footprint: Multi
• Weight: 25.9 oz
• View Full Specs

Smith & Wesson M&P 9 2.0 Compact 4"

• Frame Size: Compact
• Capacity: 15 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 4.0”
• Optic Footprint: Multi
• Weight: 25.8 oz
• View Full Specs

Walther PDP Compact 4”

• Frame Size: Compact
• Capacity: 15 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 4.0”
• Optic Footprint: Multi
• Weight: 24.4 oz
• View Full Specs

Walther PDP F-Series 3.5”

• Frame Size: Compact
• Capacity: 15 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 3.5”
• Optic Footprint: Multi
• Weight: 23.3 oz
• View Full Specs

Ambidextrous Non-Optics Ready

Unfortunately, not every ambidextrous handgun is optics ready. The guns listed below are full or semi ambidextrous but do not accept slide-mounted optics from the factory. All, or most, can be made optics-ready with an aftermarket or milled slide or rear dovetail sight adapter plate.

Beretta PX4 Storm Compact

• Ambidextrous: Semi
• Frame Size: Compact
• Capacity: 12 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 3.3”
• Weight: 27.2 oz
• View Full Specs

Heckler & Koch P30SK

• Ambidextrous: Full
• Frame Size: Subcompact
• Capacity: 10 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 3.3”
• Weight: 24.0 oz
• View Full Specs

Ruger American Compact

• Ambidextrous: Full
• Frame Size: Compact
• Capacity: 17 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 3.6”
• Weight: 28.7 oz
• View Full Specs

Savage Stance

• Ambidextrous: Full
• Frame Size: Micro Compact
• Capacity: 7 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 3.2”
• Weight: 22.0 oz
• View Full Specs

Smith & Wesson CSX

• Ambidextrous: Semi
• Frame Size: Subcompact
• Capacity: 10 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 3.1”
• Weight: 19.5 oz
• View Full Specs

Handgun Comparison

Compare specs of ambidextrous carry handguns currently on the market.

Swampfox manufacturers clear, precise, tough red dots fit for RMR and RMSc footprint handguns. From home defense to concealed carry, our pistol dot sights offer rapid target acquisition with superior glass clarity, manually adjusted red and green reticle illumination, Shake N’ Wake auto on/off functionality, and rugged durability for everyday use and abuse.

Pair your ambidextrous optics-ready carry gun with a Swampfox optic and take your self-defense to the next level.

Swampfox Sentinel II

Always on guard, Sentinel II stands ready with enhanced construction and patented features.

• Footprint: RMSc
• Window: 21mm (W) x 17mm (H) / 20mm (Angular)
• Reticle: 3 MOA
• Illumination: Red / Green
• Brightness: 10 Settings

Shop Swampfox Sentinel II

Swampfox Liberty II

Offering the freedom of IWB or OWB carry, Liberty II is a compact all-purpose optic.

• Footprint: RMR
• Window: 24.5mm (W) x 19mm (H) / 27mm (Angular)
• Reticle: 3 MOA / Multi
• Illumination: Red / Green
• Brightness: 10 Settings

Shop Swampfox Liberty II

Swampfox Justice II

Optimized for competition, Justice II was engineered to win with our largest window yet.

• Footprint: RMR
• Window: 28mm (W) x 23mm (H) / 30mm (Angular)
• Reticle: 6 MOA / Multi
• Illumination: Red / Green
• Brightness: 10 Settings

Shop Swampfox Justice II

Swampfox Kraken

Built like a tank, Kraken is an enclosed multi-footprint optic with legendary durability.

• Footprint: RMR / MOS
• Window: 16mm (W) x 16mm (H) / 16mm (Angular)
• Reticle: 3 MOA
• Illumination: Red / Green
• Brightness: 10 Settings

Shop Swampfox Kraken