97BD Decocker Version for 2008.

[thumper]

My gun dealer tells me not to worry about shooting lefty in terms of ambi controls.  I'm
a new lefty, used to be a righty.  Can the 97 be made lefty?  If not, how big a deal
is it to shoot the 97 lefty?

Hi amygdala,

It's no big deal at all to shoot a 97 lefty (as someone who was forced to convert to southpaw too ;-) ).  As a matter of fact, just using the trigger finger is much easier for me (at least) to hit both the decock lever (on a 97BD) or the slide stop if you use it as a slide release as I do.  The same holds true for Glocks and 1911 patterns too.

[AITG]

As a lefty, the right handed decocker is not a problem. I just reach across with my right thumb to operate it.
OTOH, a right hand only safety is a deal breaker for me.
In time of stress, you lose fine motor skills. I would rather fumble with a decocker after I'm done than fumble with a safety when the SHTF.
YMMV.

[narceleb]

I'm a big fan of the decocker.  My carry gun is a PT111 (until I can get a good holster for the P-07 Duty), which is DAO with a safety.  I'd like to remove the safety on that completely.  All I want to do in a bad situation is pull the trigger and have a bullet come out.  I probably won't have to worry about decocking, because the slide will be open when I'm done!