I hope my concern is a non-issue, I have missed my chance to test fire the SCAR last month at a state-wide LEO training seminar and conference
, so I’m going by just examining photos.
I am very interested (okay sold) on the SCAR system, in particular that it is touted for ambidextrous use. Looking at the rifle as a lefty, I’m concerned about one thing: The charging handle position in relation to the ejection port. Bear with me as I try to explain.
With the charging (bolt) handle protruding on the right side (optimized for lefties to use their support hand), if one tries to clear an already loaded chamber (e.g. stoppage clearing); it appears the support hand would be positioned directly in front of the ejecting cartridge/shell:
From past experiences, if I’m not paying particular attention and my right arm (cover-supported, bench, etc.) or thumb (magazine hold) is in front of the ejection port and a shell is being ejected at that time, there is a good chance (believe it or not) that the brass will bounce back into the port causing a stoppage.
Here is an illustration on how the bolt handle would place the support hand directly in front of an ejecting shell:
Okay, is my concern unwarranted, or have I discovered an issue for us southpaws?
I am very interested (okay sold) on the SCAR system, in particular that it is touted for ambidextrous use. Looking at the rifle as a lefty, I’m concerned about one thing: The charging handle position in relation to the ejection port. Bear with me as I try to explain.
With the charging (bolt) handle protruding on the right side (optimized for lefties to use their support hand), if one tries to clear an already loaded chamber (e.g. stoppage clearing); it appears the support hand would be positioned directly in front of the ejecting cartridge/shell:

From past experiences, if I’m not paying particular attention and my right arm (cover-supported, bench, etc.) or thumb (magazine hold) is in front of the ejection port and a shell is being ejected at that time, there is a good chance (believe it or not) that the brass will bounce back into the port causing a stoppage.
Here is an illustration on how the bolt handle would place the support hand directly in front of an ejecting shell:

Okay, is my concern unwarranted, or have I discovered an issue for us southpaws?