improving accuracy... sighting in correctly.

[P95loser]

I'm a lefty... when i shoot my pistol, i hold the grip w/ my left hand and close my left eye. However when i shoot a rifle or a shotgun, i close my right eye and sight in w/ my left. Would it improve my accuracy if i sighted w/ the same eye for both types of firearms ( I am a much better shot w/ a rifle than w/ a pistol )

 

[HSMITH]

Your best bet will be to find out which eye is dominant and then train yourself to shoot under your dominant eye with BOTH eyes open. Both eyes open is the best way hands down, no question about it.

 

[P95loser]

how do i find out my dominant eye?

 

[mpthole]

how do i find out my dominant eye?

1. Find a small object across the room to focus on.
2. Extend both arms, fingers pointed to the ceiling, palms facing out...
3. Make a "triangle" with your hands, thumbs overlapping at the base of the triangle and your fingers slightly overlapping
4. Put the object you chose to focus on in that triangle.
5. Now, while maintaining focus on that object, slowly bring your hands to your face until your hands are toching your head.
6. Whichever eye is in the triangle is your dominant eye.

 

[R.H. Lee]

Interesting exercise. Even with a struggle, I can't get my left eye to focus in the triangle.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Ideally, one aims with one's dominant eye while keeping both eyes open.

I know several shooters who, for a variety of reasons, shoot with their weak eyes and/or hands.

If you haven't seen an eye specialist in the past year or two, it may be worth your while to do so. Good glasses can make an enormous difference in one's shooting.

 

[mattw]

I am left-eye dominant and right handed, I shoot pistols and shotguns right handed and rifles left handed. It is best to use your dominant eye unless you are shooting short ranges (pistol/shotgun) and always shoot with the same side eye you are using to sight with. It only took me a couple weeks to get proficient shooting my M1A left handed. With handguns it isn't that much of an issue to shoot right handed and use your left eye.. you don't have to get a cheek weld so you don't look like a moron.

 

[Ankeny]

Sure both eyes open is the preferred method, but Olympic Gold, IPSC World Champion, etc. are not out of reach if you use one eye.

 

[pauli]

me, i'm left handed, right eyed. i shoot handguns that way, and long guns with my left hand and left eye.

i am of the opinion that if you let people shoot without thinking about which eye to use, they shoot better. assuming you've got decent vision, do whatever comes naturally, and to heck with what other people tell you to do.