Learn to Shot right handed?

[drake]

Just wanted some opinion from some peeps here on the this idea. I am right handed at most things I do, but when it comes to shooting I am left handed for the most part because I am left eye dominate due an lazy right eye (except I can shot pistol either or by cocking the pistol slightly to the left).

I was wondering should I force myself to learn to shot rifles right handed? Left handed operations is usually only a major problem on right handed bolt actions, from what I have seen.

In the past on the USMC firing range, I tried to fire right handed and failed miserably then shot left handed and scored marksman (don't recall the points I actually scored)

For my plans right now I am still going to purchase a left handed rifle and build it up to my likings but wanted some opinions (hopefully from some rifle coaches) on this topic.

Thanks in advance,
Drake

 

[Matt Dillon]

Drake, I too am right handed but left-eyed dominant, and I am surprised at how many people I find are in a similar boat. I would just learn to shoot in the most comfortable fashion possible. I shoot rifles left handed, and have no problem shooting pistols, but if I were you, I would become the best marksman possible shooting the most comfortable way for you.

 

[30Cal]

Although it doesn't hurt to be able to shoot from either side, you'll shoot better from your dominant eye.

If you want to learn to shoot right handed, all you do is stop shooting left handed.

Ty

 

[MAKster]

Start shouldering the rifle on the side of your eye dominance. My eye and hand dominace are also cross. Once I realized why I was having trouble hitting anything, I switched shoulders. It was only awkward the first time I went shooting after the switch and now it feels totally normal.

 

[Claude Clay]

you might consider perscription shooting glasses that focus at about 38" that being about the front sight of a rifle & not much diff than a pistol. measure your own item & at your next eye exam ask ur idoc ( cut a stick w/ a nail in it to show him docs dont tend to like rifles in their offices)good luck or shoot lefty...........

 

[nemoaz]

you might consider perscription shooting glasses

That won't help a lazy eye. A lazy eye is a neurological issue.

Lazy left eye, right eye dominant, and left handed. I shoot everything righty.

 

[drake]

nemoaz,

Thanks for passing that on to the people that didn't know ..

Drake

 

[ArchAngelCD]

drake,
If you shoot well lefty then there is no reason to shoot righty. There are no rules for shooting well except for "hit what you aim at"!! LOL

 

[Afy]

I actually alternate loads between left and right. My right eye is weaker... but not by much.

Amazingly enough my accuracy with a particular caliber seems to wary from caliber to caliber...

Eg: .22 LR Left is more accurate with iron sights upto 50 M. At 100 M right is better
30-06 Right
300 WM Left
7.62: Right
8 mm Left
Trap and Skeet: Left
Ball: Right

Handguns are easier: With Semi Auto's Right, Revolvers Left

I am right handed for the most part. Though can mirror write with my left when I am drunk...

Have never figured it out.

 

[ilmonster]

Same situation. I am a lefty, but when I took up shotgun shooting (skeet specifically), I learned I was right eye dominant. I switched to shooting skeet right handed, and have done very well. Not as hard as I thought it might be.

 

[JWarren]

I am left-handed, and I was taught to shoot right-handed.

Maybe I am lucky, but I shoot either handed just as well. I prefer to shoot right handed, but due to the shot, I've actually killed more deer left-handed than right-handed (I think I need to look at how I position myself hunting.)


If it is within your abilities, I'd say spend time becoming proficient shooting both left and right handed. It's a skill that can come in handy.

On a side note, some right-handed rifles and optics make it hard or impossible to shoot left-handed. My Saiga 308 has side-rail optics, as well as My Mosin Nagant 28/30. The optics are slightly off-set the the left of the bore. That makes is practically impossible for me to line up my left-eye on them if I needed to take a Lefty-shot.

Bolting a bolt action isn't all that fun cross-handed either.


Still, you never know when you will find a need to fire with your traditional "off-hand."


John

 

[ball3006]

Everyone should learn to....

shoot with either hand. You can get around the dominate eye problem by closing one eye. I, on the other hand, am ambidextrous and do not have a dominate eye. I shoot against myself at the range, right hand against left hand, all t he time. It depends on the day which hand is better.......chris3