Both eyes open or one closed

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jdfdave

Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2008
Messages
5
A quick question,
As a fairly new pistol shooter, I was wondering as I practice, should I train myself aim with both eyes open. I have a 3 dot sight set up on my springfield xd9. After 100 rounds or so the eye I keep closed so I can aim with the other gets really tired. I have tired practicing some with both eyes open.
What's the best way, so I can develop a goos habit?
 
Both eyes open. You'll find it less stressful.

When I got older, I found that I became far-sighted in my right (master) eye and near-sighted in my left. I had to re-train myself.

I now use the left eye for the sights and see them needle-sharp. With the right eye open, I can see the target in sharp focus, too -- and the brain will superimpose those two images, so I can see and shoot better than I could before.
 
This question comes up a lot on THR.

The reason I close one eye is to overcome an eye dominance issue I have, if you don't have eye dominance problems and can focus on your front sight with both eyes open then you should just do it that way probably. If however you do have a dominant eye then you may want to close one eye so as the keep your shots lined up. I keep both eyes open until just before I'm ready to shoot at which point I squint one eye, when I'm done firing rounds then I open both eyes fully again. Basically as my finger touches the trigger I squint my right eye focus on the front sight then squeeze the trigger.

This is what works for me, it may not work for everyone. The fact is there is no right or wrong way about it, you can do what works best for you. I've had instructors for both defensive and marksmanship say the same thing, whatever gets your shots on target is what you should be doing. I happen to be right handed and left eye dominant I tend to push my shots left if I keep both eyes open when I shoot. If I squint and focus with my left eye then I can generally put the shots right where I want them so that's what I do.
 
I started out shooting 1-eyed, but re-trained myself to shoot with both eyes open. I ate a lot of humble pie while my groups initially opened up, but I stuck with it and my shooting's much improved from it. For one thing, I get a lot less eye strain, so the sight picture is more stable and I'm a lot less apt to rush the shot. Also, when going from 1 eye open to both eyes open, the pupil contracts to accomodate the overall increased light; as the aperture (pupil) gets smaller, depth of field increases, so it's easier to see a clearer sight picture.

At first you'll see all kind of confusing images when you try to shoot with both eyes open. Stick with it, though. Your brain doesn't like confusing images, so it'll sort the images out eventually. The good news is that this is very easy to work on at home and improvement ought to come fairly quickly if you practice.
 
Both eyes closed

:uhoh: This is what my wife does when she shoots my big bores :p

I never really thought about it, I think I shoot one eye closed but I imagine that is wrong.

I actually shoot better with my glasses off that with them on. Perhaps that's because I never used to have them when I learned to shoot? I prefer to be able to see the sights and have the target blurry. I don't have to be able to see details on the target just so much that the sights are in the right place on the blob.
 
I'm both nearsighted (left eye 100, right eye 75) and astigmatic (forgot the numbers, but both eyes are quite bad), and have to wear glasses.

So in my case, for 25 meter slowfire for example, I keep both eyes open but use my dominant and better (right) eye.

For 7-15 meter SD training where speed and accuracy are equally important, I use both eyes and and place special emphasis on trying not to blink when the shot goes off. The latter seems to be as important as all the other basics (breathing, sight alignment, trigger and flinch control).

I'm becoming a lousier shot every year because of my eyes so am in the process of fitting dot scopes to most of my toys. With dot scopes, its definitely two-eyes open. Virtually eye strain-free and shooting is a lot more fun when you actually hit what you aim for:)
 
Aiming with one or both eyes.

Since posting here, I have checked around the internet, and general the view I have found seems to be from 7 to 15 yards, both eyes open. Past that try to keep both eyes open, but partially close the less dominant eye for just a moment right before you pull the trigger. Also, practice alot at home on the trigger pull. ( Practicing gun safety of course, double check, and check again to make sure the weapon is unloaded.) It seems I have some work ahead of me, but it will fun work. Thanks for the advice. Now,am I on the right track?
I hope so I am going to the range this afternoon.
 
One trick that might help you while trying to learn shooting with both eyes open is to turn your head a little in the direction of your non-dominant eye. It seems to help the double vision a bit. In fact, turn it enough, and the bridge of your nose occludes your shooting hand and double vision is eliminated. IMO, though, that's too far, as it wouldn't train your brain to deal with confusing input.
 
This is how I was trained:

Point shooting = both eyes open (focus on target with pistol silhouetted over target)

Precision shooting = one eye open (focus on front sight)

Doc2005
 
I do it both ways. It seemingly relieves stress on the eyes. Depending on the situation it also can save your acute eyesight, such as when shooting in near dark, one eye closed so as not to be blinded in both eyes by muzzle flash.
 
Hooo Boy! Okay: For pleasure shooting at a range or to test accuracy on a new gun, then it's non-dominant eye CLOSED. For IDPA it's both eyes open. Teaching a novice to handle a firearm, well I teach both eyes open so as to make it easier to acquire all 'round proficiency. I blame the army for my predicament. I spent some time with the post MTU (Marksmanship Training Unit) as the XO of the Composite Pistol Team. They drilled me in the classic target pistol stance: Quartering the target, one eye closed, non-firing hand IN THE pocket and a full on single hand grip. Remember this is BULLS EYE for score not combat simulation.
 
Both eyes open. The only exception is when taking a precision shot when the light is failing.

J
 
Quote:

Both eyes open. The only exception is when taking a precision shot when the light is failing.

~~~~~

What this poster said.

Catherine = A lady who has worn eyeglasses since she was 5 years old. I am very nearsighted but I wear bi-focals now. I do not use 'scopes' either.
 
After much debate here and research I've discovered that I'm one of those weird folks who doesn't have a dominant eye. (Yes we really do exist).

As a result I simply cannot "ignore" one eye for the other and so I have developed the technique of squinting (not closing) my non sighting eye just enough to block the sight. I can still see motion and have my outside peripheral vision so I don't think I'll get blindsided but I'm certainly not keeping both eyes wide open.
 
I've always practiced both eyes open, I was taught this was the proper method at Hunter safety training years ago.
 
I would no sooner practice shooting with only one eye than I would enter a boxing ring with one arm or leg tied down....don't practice handicapping yourself.....both eyes open means best threat detection....
 
i guess it all depends on what type of shooting you are doing,ifyou are trying to hit the bull then i find one eye closed works best for me,it you are trying to hit general area,upper torso,what ever,then both open,way i was tought by my father,who was a seal in viet nam,he said it is is like pointing at something,try it,point at something,thewn close one eye and look,usueally it is on the money,but that is something more in the line of self or home defence,is a good exercise tho
 
It is just a personal preference for me but I shoot with one eye closed.

Tried both eyes and I just don't shoot well with both open. I think the best advice would be to practice both types of aiming and see which you do the best with and then practice using that type of aiming so your proficient with it.

Then after your comfortable with that, if you feel the need you can try and sharpen up the weaker style of aiming.

I always say never mind what others say or do, do what works for you.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

E
  • Locked
One eye or two.
2
Replies
30
Views
2K
1911 guy
1911 guy
G
  • Locked
One eye?
Replies
2
Views
363
Jon_Snow
J
S
  • Locked
Handgun firing strategy... eyes open (one or both?)
2
Replies
35
Views
2K
wally
wally
C
  • Locked
Shooting with Both Eyes Open
2
Replies
27
Views
2K
happy old sailor
H
H
  • Locked
  • Poll
Do you close one eye to aim your pistol?
2 3 4
Replies
82
Views
32K
Crawdad
C
Back
Top