diff --git a/code/__DEFINES/clothing_defines.dm b/code/__DEFINES/clothing_defines.dm
index ed5a97ea16c..d0380ede710 100644
--- a/code/__DEFINES/clothing_defines.dm
+++ b/code/__DEFINES/clothing_defines.dm
@@ -37,6 +37,10 @@
 #define SLOT_HUD_COLLAR 23
 #define SLOT_HUD_AMOUNT 23
 
+// Boolean defines for hands
+#define HAND_BOOL_RIGHT 0
+#define HAND_BOOL_LEFT 1
+
 // accessory slots
 #define ACCESSORY_SLOT_DECOR 1
 #define ACCESSORY_SLOT_UTILITY 2
diff --git a/code/_onclick/hud/screen_objects.dm b/code/_onclick/hud/screen_objects.dm
index d10e0006fb3..b4897cd5df7 100644
--- a/code/_onclick/hud/screen_objects.dm
+++ b/code/_onclick/hud/screen_objects.dm
@@ -486,9 +486,9 @@
 		var/mob/M = usr
 		switch(name)
 			if("right hand", "r_hand")
-				M.activate_hand("r")
+				M.activate_hand(HAND_BOOL_RIGHT)
 			if("left hand", "l_hand")
-				M.activate_hand("l")
+				M.activate_hand(HAND_BOOL_LEFT)
 	return TRUE
 
 /atom/movable/screen/swap_hand
diff --git a/code/datums/keybindings/mob_keybinds.dm b/code/datums/keybindings/mob_keybinds.dm
index 55122bff793..60b340b4625 100644
--- a/code/datums/keybindings/mob_keybinds.dm
+++ b/code/datums/keybindings/mob_keybinds.dm
@@ -42,6 +42,22 @@
 	. = ..()
 	C.mob.swap_hand()
 
+/datum/keybinding/mob/hand_right
+	name = "Swap to/Activate Right Hand"
+
+/datum/keybinding/mob/hand_right/down(client/C)
+	. = ..()
+	if(!C.mob.activate_hand(HAND_BOOL_RIGHT))
+		C.mob.mode()
+
+/datum/keybinding/mob/hand_left
+	name = "Swap to/Activate Left Hand"
+
+/datum/keybinding/mob/hand_left/down(client/C)
+	. = ..()
+	if(!C.mob.activate_hand(HAND_BOOL_LEFT))
+		C.mob.mode()
+
 // Intents
 /datum/keybinding/mob/prev_intent
 	name = "Previous Intent"
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/carbon_procs.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/carbon_procs.dm
index 18dcfc8b270..1807cdb3533 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/carbon_procs.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/carbon_procs.dm
@@ -194,18 +194,11 @@
 	SEND_SIGNAL(src, COMSIG_CARBON_SWAP_HANDS)
 
 
-/mob/living/carbon/activate_hand(selhand) //0 or "r" or "right" for right hand; 1 or "l" or "left" for left hand.
-
-	if(istext(selhand))
-		selhand = lowertext(selhand)
-
-		if(selhand == "right" || selhand == "r")
-			selhand = 0
-		if(selhand == "left" || selhand == "l")
-			selhand = 1
-
+/mob/living/carbon/activate_hand(selhand)
 	if(selhand != hand)
 		swap_hand()
+		return TRUE
+	return FALSE
 
 /mob/living/carbon/proc/help_shake_act(mob/living/carbon/M)
 	if(health < HEALTH_THRESHOLD_CRIT)
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/mob.dm b/code/modules/mob/mob.dm
index e5543649cfc..5bf5402ba26 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/mob.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/mob.dm
@@ -918,7 +918,7 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_INIT(slot_equipment_priority, list( \
 	return
 
 /mob/proc/activate_hand(selhand)
-	return
+	return FALSE
 
 /mob/dead/observer/verb/respawn()
 	set name = "Respawn as NPC"
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/mob_vars.dm b/code/modules/mob/mob_vars.dm
index bf265fd7330..9f71bc02cfe 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/mob_vars.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/mob_vars.dm
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@
 	var/memory = ""
 	var/notransform = FALSE	//Carbon
 	/// True for left hand active, otherwise for right hand active
-	var/hand = null
+	var/hand = HAND_BOOL_RIGHT
 	var/real_name = null
 	var/flavor_text = ""
 	var/med_record = ""