Confused about eye dominance

[theCZ]

So, last year I found out that I am right eyed dominance. I'm left handed and have shot everything left handed since I started shooting when I was 12. I've always closed my right eye, with one exception. I didn't do a lot of shooting until I turned 18. My parents got me a used winchester pump for my high school graduation and I learned to shoot shotguns from non-mounted position and with that one I could shoot fine both eyes open, but I think that was more snap shooting than anything. A year ago I started shooting trap, and recently started shooting skeet. I have to shoot with my right eye closed, but I feel like I am a decent shot. This last year I've gotten my first 25 straight and then 50 straight in trap and a few 24s in skeet. I just graduated from college and I'm saving up for a nice shotgun (because I can finally). I know I should switch eventually, but I'm kind of up in the air as to when. I know if I went shopping for an O/U and shouldered them right handed I would have no idea as to what shouldered and felt good to me. Should I buy a shotgun that fits me left handed and then start shooting right handed, or should I shoot right handed with my 1100 until I become proficient with it right handed and then go shopping?

 

[Oldnamvet]

Go with what works for you. You have no one to please but yourself. Personally, if I were doing that well shooting with one eye closed, I'd keep right on doing it. Right or left handed - whatever feels best and works.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Sounds like you're doing well as is. Why change? There's many fine one eyed shooters out there.

Read the part in Gil Ash's book about dominance, he has a good theory, Since Co-author Vicki Ash shoots RH, LH, one eye shut, both eyes open, and kicks major butt no matter which way she shoots, it may be possible for you to improve with little agony.

 

[mete]

It has been found that it is easier to train your hand than it is to train your eye.So you should be shooting right handed. I did meet a woman who was in the process of changing - it was a long difficult process ! If you are going to change do it now.

 

[pauli]

what matters is lead on target. so long as you're operating safely, i say the hell with what anybody else thinks of your methods.

(i'm left hand/ right eye dominant as well. i keep trying to hold my rifle and shotguns right handed, but it just ain't happening.)

 

[theCZ]

Thanks guys! I went out with a friend today and a hand-thrower. I had a hard time trying to remember to switch eyes when starting from a low-mount. I think I'll just stick with what works! As always, great advice.

 

[The_Antibubba]

Go with what works, BUT...

I've got a similar tale. LH, Right eye dominant, but until I had LASIK about two years ago, everything past three feet started to get blurry, but only in my right eye! My left eye was 20/25; my right, 20/500. So I shot Left/Left.

Now my corrected right eye is 20/20, and I've been learning to shoot right-eyed and right-handed. It's really hard, but given that nearly every gun in existence is built for righties, it's a good skill to have; just as it is for righties to practice "weak hand" skills. Trust me, we lefties have an easier time adapting than they do.

Sometimes I revert when I have a pistol and shoot LH/RE.