Is shooting with your eyes closed a good idea?

Seems to me that blinking as you fire would make it hard to see whether your shots are on-target. While I can certainly envision a situation where I could have to shoot when it's dark enough for muzzle flash to blind me, I rather doubt that I'd want to take time out to remember to close my eyes during firing. I mean, it seems like an unnecessary complication, especially since if you're closing your eyes, you aren't seeing your rounds hit anyway.

Also, I'm not at all sure that eyelids would be sufficient to prevent night-vision impairment from muzzle blast. It may limit the effect, but I don't know how much.

......That's one of those things I'd actually have to experiment with before answering.

And no, it doesn't even really rank in weirdness compared to other things I've experimented with.

If you wanted to go all Mall Ninja, you could try the anti-flashblindness goggles SAC used to issue to nuclear-alert bomber crews...

Not that it'd necessarily work, but you could try. With my light sensitive eyes, I'd be near-blind after the first shot anyway so I'd be forced to rely on the little red dot... although with my preferred low-light tactics, there's a chance the other guy might be just as blinded. Especially if I break out a blackpowder revolver as an HD gun...

----------------
Now playing: John Barry - The Sniper Was A Woman
via FoxyTunes

I was at the private range late one night and decided to see how well i could shoot with just the moonlight and i didnt even notice the muzzle flash. i wasnt indoors though and im willing to bed that could enhance the flash.

shooting with your eyes closed
Works for me. When shooting Flintlock I have yet to be able to KEEP my eyes open. When the Frizzen sparks right in front of my eyes -they clamp shut in self defense.

Hitting anything this way? I haven't endangered the target yet, must be the flinch along with the eyes slamming shut.

In fairly dark situiations I have closed one eye, using the other to sight in. Works well enough to preserve night vision in one eye. The thing is though, if you are shooting in low enough light to be blinded by muzzle flash even momentarily, well then my friend you are shooting when it is too dark to see your target in almost all instances.

All the best,
GB

Trust me, having shot several critters at night, you shouldn't notice the muzzle flash. I've used both .357 revolvers and shotguns but never noticed the muzzle flash.

You may not notice muzzle flash, but your eyesight is effected by it as in your night vision.

i have never closed my eyes to shoot in any situation, low light or not, the muzzle flash is no issue for me. i keep both eyes open at all times.

modern premium defense ammo has a failry low muzzle flash, because the powder has flash retardant on it.

For 5.56, .308 and 9mm, US Surplus.Milspec is about the worst there is. The US military is probably the last military in the world that doesn't specify flash retardant in the powder.

I shoot a good bit in low light and darkness. Don't recall the muzzle flash being a problem.

I do the eyes closed shooting thing once in a while.
(I have a home range so I can do such as this in complete safety, don't try this at your local range)

The results can be surprising.
For instance.

My new CZ 40P pointed so naturally I tried it with my eyes closed.



I wanted to see what would happen when shooting at the BG with eyes closed.
From up close I used a Taurus PT99, which I hardly ever shoot.
Most shots were single shots, with a couple double taps thrown in. I missed 3 times.



I've often said that a decent shooter could pass the Texas Concealed Carry qualification with their eyes closed.
So I decided to "put my money where my mouth is".
The qualification is timed fire at 3-7 and 15 yards. 250 points total, 174 to qualify.

Before each shot or string of shots I started with the gun pointed down and my eyes closed and kept my eyes closed until finished firing.

Without shooting for the 50 points at 15 yards I still passed by 4 points.

I wouldn't recommend it. Sure shooting with your eyes closed on paper works, but the target may move around or duck or something.


If you shoot and you lose your nightvision, just keep shooting to light up the room

Once a year, The Range in Oxford, NC hosts a night shoot tactical/IDPA style match. It's a great match attended by some fine shooters, as well as some that shoot like poo. Something they all have in common, though, is that they shoot with their eyes open.

What would you be saving your vision for, if not for shooting? It's the most vision-critical thing you could possibly do in a crisis situation. IF muzzle-flash was going to be an issue (and in my experience, it's not) it's not going to be NEARLY as big an issue as missing your target or shooting stray rounds into the dark because you're trying to protect your vision from some momentary disadvantage.

It's a legitimate question--but an example, I think, of the need to realistically prioritize threats.

Is shooting with your eyes closed a good idea?

Click to expand...

It's mandatory if you're trying to kill Medusa.

P.S. Without that threat, you have NO justification for shooting.
- - - - - A.K.A. Your posterior will be in the clink for the rest of your life.

Click to expand...

Wrong.

It depends on the law where you live. Deadly force can be used, in some cases, without a threat to you.

ABSOLUTELY! First you make sure the gun is loaded and one in the chamber. Place barrel to temple. Pull trigger.

Click to expand...

But you are right in that suicide is a crime in many places.

Doesn't it violate one

of the four rules?
But seriously, one of the gun mags had an article on muzzle flash, some powders have none.
Sorry I can't remember which one.

Speaking of reduced muzzle flash, Hornady's TAP ammo product info has a comment stating that the propellant is formulated to reduce muzzle flash, hence saving your night vision.

I have never shot in the dark, or subdued lighting for that matter. I do know that even a short flash of light can screw with your night vision for some time.

Just my 2 cents (but with government bailout, is now worth $14,000,000)

KK

There is no way you could control that under stress. I am also pretty confident that firing will cause you to blink anyway. During a shooting in low light conditions after the first round you night vision is pretty shot anyway. Well night vision you have, most shootings will occur within minutes of going in to or coming out of different light levels. In a world filled with headlights, streetlights etc night vision is not the same issue it would be in the woods.

"Do folks ever advocate closing your eyes when shooting in a dark situation? It would be just a sort of blink (not clench your eyes and fire away) to avoid the effects of muzzle flash upon firing."


NO...Never.