Do you close one eye when you shoot?

[TargetTerror]

I've shot a lot of Olympic-style air pistol, and was always told to close one eye or use a blinder (preferably a blinder). I naturally carried this over when I began shooting larger caliber pistols.

I was speaking with a shooting friend and he recommended that I start shooting with both eyes open. He was in the air force for a number of years, and I think they may have impressed having both eyes open on him. In a combat situation, I could see how this would make sense, as you would then have more peripheral vision.

 

[R. Deckard]

I was a one-eyed shooter until I starting shooting competition and all the really good fast guys told me to learn to shoot with both eyes open. Took me awhile to change over but I think I have benefitted from learning to shoot with both eyes open. I guess it depends on what type of shooting you are doing and of course the old "personal preference".

 

[torpid]

I'd be grateful for any tips on converting from a one to two eye open shooter myself.

 

[buck460XVR]

since I was incorrectly taught to shoot right handed with my non-dominate eye, I have to close my left eye when shooting or miss by a mile. I'm too dang old to change......... and besides....... it works for me.

 

[possum]

with handguns i always shoot with both eyes open, i am faster that way and it allows me to have a wider field of view, and see other threats.

 

[KINGMAX]

YES I do

Yes I do keep just one eye open.

 

[johndoe1027]

I have a hard time focusing on the front sight wiht both eyes open. I'll have to work on that. Never thought about it really.

 

[4fingermick]

A patch on your sun/shooting glasses will solve the problem of eye dominance. Both eyes open is important in target shooting allowing the face to relax completely.

Not so important in combat target shooting, because you are moving right along and not relaxing everything like olympic shooting.

Defensive or offensive shooting both open is the go, you get to see more.

 

[ChickenHawk]

Defensive or offensive shooting both open is the go, you get to see more.

Exactly! Why would you cut your peripheral vision in half when you are trying to defend your life?

Practice shooting both eyes open. Focus on the front site with your dominant eye. It takes some getting used to but you will adjust and it is worth it.

I think I am a much better shot since I converted over to shooting both eyes open a few years ago. I am much more relaxed, and I see the targets better.

Cheers,
ChickenHawk

 

[benelli12]

Question

Kinda off topic quick question.

I am left eye dominant, and shoot with my right hand with pistols. For both my BHP 9mm and Kimber 45 I hit up and to the right about 2 in. at 7yds, and about 5 in. at 15yds. With my ruger 44 mag. I hit right on.

So is shooting right handed being left eye dominant tend to put your shots off target with autos, or any pistol? I can get very tight groups, but I always hit up and to the right.

Next range trip I'll shoot with my left hand to see if it helps my POA to POI.

Any info. is appreciated.

 

[kennedy]

how do you know whick eye is dominate? I am left handed and shoot handguns left handed and rifles right handed. So I have to use my right eye while shooting a rifle, but which eye should i use left handed handgun shooting?

 

[gpr]

when you get up in years, use two eyes.....you will need all the help that you can get...gpr

 

[CWL]

Yes I do when doing speed shots. I am wrong eye dominant and this makes me use my weak/gunside eye.

 

[benelli12]

I think that you should use your right eye when shooting right handed, and left when shooting lefty.

I know I am left eye dominant from many of those little tests, and I have a little trouble reading this text with my left eye closed.

 

[Sistema1927]

It depends on what I am shooting:

Shotguns, both eyes open.

Defensive Handgun shooting, both eyes open.

Scout Rifle shooting, both eyes open.

All other shooting, right eye (dominant) open, left eye closed, whether I am shooting handguns from either hand or rifles from the right shoulder.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

As most people are, I was (as a youth) a one-eyed shooter. At some point in my mid teens I read an article on the subject explaining the MANY reasons to shoot two-eyed. I converted myself at 15 but can't recall apart from practice how I did so.

All I can tell you is that twenty years later it is most natural--I have to really force myself to close my non-dominate eye and it is discomforting.

With practice, it can become a learned habit and I think won't actually change your technique very much at all. Your brain will learn to ignore and (largely) blur the data coming in from your non-dominant eye.

Get a soft air or toy and snap at the TV set (seriously). I think it is worth the effort for safety and tactical considerations. The only time to (maybe) go with one eye (in this case the NON donimant eye) is in a 'flash-bright' tactical situation arrising from prior darkness. This will help preserve your eyes dialation and keep them in low-light mode.

 

[10-Ring]

My perfomance improved ALOT when I learned to shoot w/ both eyes OPEN

 

[longeyes]

Shoot the way you would in an emergency. For me that's both eyes open.

 

[MikeRussell]

Up to 25yrds, I shoot both eyes open. Over 25yrds, I close my left eye.

 

[nwilliams]

Although I'm pretty good at shooting both eyes open, I find I'm more much more accurate with one eye closed so I close my right eye because I'm left eye dominant.

how do you know whick eye is dominate?

Casually point at something with both eyes open and then close one eye and then the other and see which eye is still in line with what you are pointing at (make sure you don't move your head or hand). For example if I point at something with both eyes open and then close my left eye my finger moves off target, if I close my right eye my finger stays on target. This is the way my first firearms instructor taught me and after I discovered that I was right handed and left I dominant my accuracy improved greatly. Hope this helps.

 

[GunNut]

Both eyes open, better peripheral vision.

I'm amazed how many times i've been asked if i'm a LEO by gun shop, when I pull up a handgun and aim with both eyes open. I guess regular people aren't supposed to shoot the correct way.

Steve

 

[AndyC]

I've always shot with both eyes open

 

[Steve C]

Bullseye shooting where accuracy is the rule I use one eye. For bowling pins, steel plates and other games that don't require as much precision I keep both eyes open. Rifles one eye only. Shotguns both eyes open.

 

[FieroCDSP]

I've been slowly trying to re-assert my right eye dominance. Right now, at SD range, I can blink my left eye and my right will take over on the sights. At a further distance, it's not as successful, but that's what practice is for.

 

[ChickenHawk]

how do you know whick eye is dominate?

Another way (from what was suggested above) is to have someone stand across the room from you. Hold up both hands at full arm extension so to block your vision but leave a small peep hole you can see through. Look through this peep-hole however seems natural at your helper's face and ask him/her what eye he sees through the peep-hole in your hands. That will be your dominant eye.

ChickenHawk