shotgunjoel
Member
I shoot long guns with my right eye, and handguns with my left eye. (I'm right handed and left eye dominant.)
One Eye or Two Eyes
- Thread starter WildAtHeart
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Moondancer
Member
FWIW, I was taught (learned?) decades ago that all handguns were to be shot with both eyes open.
Just the opposite for long guns, either irons or scoped.
The advent of red dot sights (no magnification) brought back the need for two eyes with the long gun when using a rds. Seems to me I read somewhere that the two-eye-open method with an rds guarantees the dot will be on-target no matter where it is in the aperature (sp?). True, or not, I don't know but the Kobra on my AK is always used with both eyes open.
Similar to what a poster above has said, it boils down to me that if it's a deliberate, aimed precision shot, I end up using one eye. Quicker, snap shot = two eyes. This axiom does NOT apply to an RDS, however, and as always, YMMV.
Mike
Just the opposite for long guns, either irons or scoped.
The advent of red dot sights (no magnification) brought back the need for two eyes with the long gun when using a rds. Seems to me I read somewhere that the two-eye-open method with an rds guarantees the dot will be on-target no matter where it is in the aperature (sp?). True, or not, I don't know but the Kobra on my AK is always used with both eyes open.
Similar to what a poster above has said, it boils down to me that if it's a deliberate, aimed precision shot, I end up using one eye. Quicker, snap shot = two eyes. This axiom does NOT apply to an RDS, however, and as always, YMMV.
Mike
FROGO207
Member
It looks like the two eyes have won out. I also use two eyes. As a side note a good friend who is EX military had problems shooting with one eye, we found out he was cross dominant and after getting him to try with two eyes he shoots groups twice as close as before. They never discussed this with him in the military apparently even though he used a firearm regularly.
DMK
Member
There is no advantage to closing one eye. However, there are many advantages to both eyes open. Some folks have trouble with both eyes open, but that doesn't mean it's not the best way. Sometimes learning to do things the right way is initially harder than doing it the wrong way, but much easier in the long run (ask anyone who's learned to play a musical instrument).
Both eyes open has the advantages of giving you a wider field of view, it is less stressful, and makes it easier to concentrate.
Both eyes open has the advantages of giving you a wider field of view, it is less stressful, and makes it easier to concentrate.
rocinante
Member
I have begun to shoot pistols with both eyes open. My vision isn't laser sharp anymore and it can be a little of a challenge picking out the correct image. All in all I believe it is the best way because your field of vision isn't as restricted.
Deanimator
Member
I can't shoot with both eyes open. Just can't do it.
It's not worth it to me to put a huge amount of effort into it.
The NRA Basic Pistol Shooting program of instruction says to do so IF YOU CAN. I can't.
It's not worth it to me to put a huge amount of effort into it.
The NRA Basic Pistol Shooting program of instruction says to do so IF YOU CAN. I can't.
DMK
Member
You need to train your brain to use the sight picture from the dominant eye and ignore the sight picture from your other eye. It takes practice and discipline.
Dry firing *a lot* helps. But remember practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.
sonick808
Member
both eyes for everything
Calibre44
Member
I was taught to shoot with both eyes open for target shooting. But here’s the ‘rub’ … I cover my less dominant eye but keep it open negating the need to squint. How? ... all you need is a sweat band for your head and then cut out a patch from a plastic milk bottle and insert it in to the headband so it covers your less dominate eye … nice and cheap but also effective.
I've always shot with one eye with everything, I don't shoot shotguns. I am cross dominant. With both eyes open it's not as easy for me to focus on the sights although I've never pushed it. I don't see where a larger field of view would be better unless point shooting competitions or defense.
My shooting has been for precision accuracy with handguns. I do have an advantage after 40+ years of practice but I don't see very many people at the range that shoot handguns as well as I do and the large majority are not even close. I'm not putting them down but they do not have the dedication and practice that some of us have put into it. My point being why change something that works?
What are the advantages of shooting for accuracy with both eyes open? I like to focus on perfect sight alignment with the spot I want to hit in the middle of the front sight blade. Being as I can't hold perfectly steady I have to concentrate to squeeze when everything looks ideal. Anything to distract my concentration like using both eyes is detrimental, at least to me it seems to be.
My shooting has been for precision accuracy with handguns. I do have an advantage after 40+ years of practice but I don't see very many people at the range that shoot handguns as well as I do and the large majority are not even close. I'm not putting them down but they do not have the dedication and practice that some of us have put into it. My point being why change something that works?
What are the advantages of shooting for accuracy with both eyes open? I like to focus on perfect sight alignment with the spot I want to hit in the middle of the front sight blade. Being as I can't hold perfectly steady I have to concentrate to squeeze when everything looks ideal. Anything to distract my concentration like using both eyes is detrimental, at least to me it seems to be.
rainbowbob
Member
I've said it before...and I'll say it again...
Don't give up on two-eyed shooting until you have tried this simple trick:
Pivot your head a few degrees to bring your dominant eye over the sights. You will no longer be seeing double, because you won't be using both eyes on the front sight.
Examples:
If you are right-eyed - turn your head a couple degrees to the left until only your right eye is focused on the front sight.
If you are left-eyed - turn your head a couple of degrees to the right until only your left eye is focused on the front sight.
This is the same whether you shoot left-handed or right-handed. The key is to "aim" your dominant eye at the front sight.
Don't give up on two-eyed shooting until you have tried this simple trick:
Pivot your head a few degrees to bring your dominant eye over the sights. You will no longer be seeing double, because you won't be using both eyes on the front sight.
Examples:
If you are right-eyed - turn your head a couple degrees to the left until only your right eye is focused on the front sight.
If you are left-eyed - turn your head a couple of degrees to the right until only your left eye is focused on the front sight.
This is the same whether you shoot left-handed or right-handed. The key is to "aim" your dominant eye at the front sight.
jimmyraythomason
Member
I shoot two eyes open for shotgunning and one eye for pistols and rifles,scoped or iron sighted.
Zach S
Member
Both eyes open, all the time, unless shooting a long arm from my weak side.
KBintheSLC
Member
Depends on what you are doing. For longer range target shooting at say 50 yards and beyond, I like one eye. For anything inside of 50 yards, two eyes are faster and provides more spacial awareness. Awareness of your surroundings is crucial in a fight. Check out these articles that illustrate the differences...
One eye... http://brasstard.com/?p=164
Two eyes... http://brasstard.com/?p=195
One eye... http://brasstard.com/?p=164
Two eyes... http://brasstard.com/?p=195
oldfool
Member
both
target/game shooting rifles, scoped or not, dominant one eye
with a red dot or very low X power "shotgun" scope on rifle, both open to aquire target, but squint off eye on trigger squeeze
handguns (open iron)
short range single action slow fire target shooting, (mostly) dominant one eye
(just to settle in, warm-up, going for one ragged hole at 10-12 yards, that sort of thing)
but both eyes open for DA shooting, always, any target, any distance
long range target shooting, SA or DA, both eyes open
has always surprised me that I hit handgun targets (soda pop cans and such) better at 30 to 100 yards better with both eyes open vs. one, but that's what works
because my short range slow tight groups are usually better w/ one eye, but then I do not expect <1" groups at 30+ yards either, not even if I had 3 eyes, you know
I also do a little shooting with Ruger MKs, red dot & scope, one eye of course
but that just for "22 golf", real easy hits
target/game shooting rifles, scoped or not, dominant one eye
with a red dot or very low X power "shotgun" scope on rifle, both open to aquire target, but squint off eye on trigger squeeze
handguns (open iron)
short range single action slow fire target shooting, (mostly) dominant one eye
(just to settle in, warm-up, going for one ragged hole at 10-12 yards, that sort of thing)
but both eyes open for DA shooting, always, any target, any distance
long range target shooting, SA or DA, both eyes open
has always surprised me that I hit handgun targets (soda pop cans and such) better at 30 to 100 yards better with both eyes open vs. one, but that's what works
because my short range slow tight groups are usually better w/ one eye, but then I do not expect <1" groups at 30+ yards either, not even if I had 3 eyes, you know
I also do a little shooting with Ruger MKs, red dot & scope, one eye of course
but that just for "22 golf", real easy hits
jimmyraythomason
Member
For what purpose? At 56 years of age I am well practiced in the form of shooting I was taught by my dad who was taught by his dad(who was blind in his left eye since he was 3) and it has served me well.
jcwit
member
Shoot with both eyes open if you desire. Then again if you feel better shooting with only one eye open, go for it.
Observe that the pro position target shooters use special glasses with a blinder on the non sighting eye, and they're more than likely to outshoot most everyone here. Same goes for many pistol shooters who use a blinder on the non sighting eye. I don't know if they know what they're doing or not but try to match their scores.
Just my 2 cents.
Observe that the pro position target shooters use special glasses with a blinder on the non sighting eye, and they're more than likely to outshoot most everyone here. Same goes for many pistol shooters who use a blinder on the non sighting eye. I don't know if they know what they're doing or not but try to match their scores.
Just my 2 cents.
DMK
Member
They are also not scrunching their face up trying to wink one eye closed and hold it.
jcwit
member
True, but then I've trained my eyelid to close on my nonsighting eye, like a very prolonged blink, minutes or more. I don't 'scrunch'.
jimmyraythomason
Member
Me either. It's just second nature to close my left eye and takes no conscious effort.
rainbowbob
Member
Because you retain your three-dimensional perspective and your peripheral vision - potentially critical advantages in a self-defense scenario.
Here is my 2 cents & why. Both eyes open on long guns because you are bringing the rear of the gun to your eye & looking down it to the front sight.
With a sidearm you are holding it out in front of you where ether eye can pick it up in its line of sight. This will throw your aim off at long distances (over 30 yards). Test this by keeping both eyes open while bringing your gun to target then try not to move the gun & close your non shooting eye. If the gun is still not on target then you need to close one eye. I shoot with both open all the time but my left eye doesn't focus for some reason.
With a sidearm you are holding it out in front of you where ether eye can pick it up in its line of sight. This will throw your aim off at long distances (over 30 yards). Test this by keeping both eyes open while bringing your gun to target then try not to move the gun & close your non shooting eye. If the gun is still not on target then you need to close one eye. I shoot with both open all the time but my left eye doesn't focus for some reason.
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