chief99
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What is the advantage of shooting your handgun with both eyes open and what is the best method of training for this ? Thanks.
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Closing one eye cuts down on about 1/2 of your field of view as well as making depth perception and judging distances much harder. It also increases eye strain. Usually not a problem for just a few shots, but it adds up after a long shooting session If at all possible you should always use both eyes with any type of sight.
Many folks have a hard time, and some say they just cannot do it. I cannot help with training methods. Like most folks I started shooting by closing one eye. After I figured out it was best to leave both open I just did it. Never had any problems making the transition. Some wear an eye patch over one eye. This will eliminate eye strain, but won't help with field of view or depth perception.
It can be a little difficult with some scopes. Especially some with shorter eye relief and very high magnification, over 12X or so. Even then it is possible.
Many folks have a hard time, and some say they just cannot do it. I cannot help with training methods. Like most folks I started shooting by closing one eye. After I figured out it was best to leave both open I just did it. Never had any problems making the transition. Some wear an eye patch over one eye. This will eliminate eye strain, but won't help with field of view or depth perception.
It can be a little difficult with some scopes. Especially some with shorter eye relief and very high magnification, over 12X or so. Even then it is possible.
For SD purposes, keeping both eyes open gives one a better view of their surroundings.
First, you have to know which of your eyes is dominant.
For those who don't know, extend both arms in front of you. With palms outward, extend index fingers and thumbs, touching mating digits to form a pyramid. At the peak of the pyramid, focus on an object ten feet or more away behind it. One at a time, close each eye. Whichever eye the object stayed in line with the peak is the dominant eye.
Next is to practice with looking down the handgun sights with both eyes open and maybe turning your head ever so slightly for the dominant eye to be more in line with sights. At the range, it may take a bit more concentration for a while to get use to the sight picture. But for SD you may be only shooting 20 ft. or less.
First, you have to know which of your eyes is dominant.
For those who don't know, extend both arms in front of you. With palms outward, extend index fingers and thumbs, touching mating digits to form a pyramid. At the peak of the pyramid, focus on an object ten feet or more away behind it. One at a time, close each eye. Whichever eye the object stayed in line with the peak is the dominant eye.
Next is to practice with looking down the handgun sights with both eyes open and maybe turning your head ever so slightly for the dominant eye to be more in line with sights. At the range, it may take a bit more concentration for a while to get use to the sight picture. But for SD you may be only shooting 20 ft. or less.
Jenrick
Member
Easiest way to get used to it, is large targets at short distances initially. This will reduce the urge to close one eye to refine the sight picture. Decrease the target size and increase the distance as it seems more natural. Soon enough you'll be shooting both eyes open for anything other then 50 yd bullseye shooting.
-Jenrick
-Jenrick
1911 guy
Member
I learned to shoot with both eyes open by getting smacked in the melon every time I closed one eye. Dad was adamant that I shoot with both eyes open.
As others have said, just get to it. Start close and slow, your body will acclimate to the new method. As your groups get smaller and faster, begin shooting farther away.
With either handgun or rifle, closing one eye sacrifices peripheral vision, depth perception and if using an optic of any kind, flat out stinks to pick up any target that isn't stationary.
As others have said, just get to it. Start close and slow, your body will acclimate to the new method. As your groups get smaller and faster, begin shooting farther away.
With either handgun or rifle, closing one eye sacrifices peripheral vision, depth perception and if using an optic of any kind, flat out stinks to pick up any target that isn't stationary.
gamestalker
member
My brother in law got me started shooting with both eye's open about 50 years ago. I really don't remember how I accomplished it, I think I just made the conscious effort to force myself, what ever it was, I shoot everything with both open.
GS
GS
9mmfan
Member
I've heard that putting a piece of tape on the lens of your glasses over the eye you would normally close helps, though I've never tried that.
I am just getting out of the "can't do it" camp. Started by slightly squinting instead of closing, then slowly opening my eye. I try it when I'm not shooting, just sitting at my desk at home. Similar to dry fire practice. Call it "dry sighting" if you will. I believe I shall. Then again, I'm something of a doofus sometimes.
I am just getting out of the "can't do it" camp. Started by slightly squinting instead of closing, then slowly opening my eye. I try it when I'm not shooting, just sitting at my desk at home. Similar to dry fire practice. Call it "dry sighting" if you will. I believe I shall. Then again, I'm something of a doofus sometimes.
il.bill
Member
I have been working at shooting handguns with both eyes open. To start with I lined up the sights and target with only my dominant eye, then opened the other one and tried to stay focused on the front sight. It takes some concentration, but shooting with both eyes open is beginning to feel more natural with practice.
chief99
Member
Thanks for all the replies. I started about a year ago with tape over the lens thing. Haven't used it in 6 months. Shooting better every round with both eyes open.
Even scoped rifles, you will shoot better if you can keep both eyes open. Much less fatiguing. I had some troubles adapting to shooting handguns with both eyes open, so I got a blinder for my left eye that I use sometimes in a long session. A translucent white blinder is a little easier on your non-dominate eye than dark tape. Masking tape also works well. You want some light to reach your 'blinded' eye.
Nom de Forum
Member
Something that has not been mentioned is not only should you shoot with both eyes open, you should try shooting using your non-dominant eye. Sounds crazy, right? While the chances you will need to do this in a SD situation are slim, it is a great brain trainer much like occasionally writing with you non-dominant hand. I think you will find this task to be challenging and demanding of even greater attention to trigger control. Both are good for you. Want a real challenge? Try using your non-dominant hand and eye simultaneously. Don't worry about occasionally aiming with your non-dominant eye adversely affecting your dominate eye aiming, it doesn't.
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I grew up with a great-uncle who taught me to shoot rifles with my non-dominant eye closed. It was a few years later that I had the opportunity to shoot a handgun for the first time and instinctively kept both eyes open to shoot it. He made the comment that most folks close one eye to shoot, so he was kind of impressed. I didn't understand what he meant by that until I went to an official gun range later and saw/heard all the comments between trainers and those learning from them. To this day, though, I still can't shoot a rifle with both eyes open.
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