One or both eyes open?

[HetchHetchy]

For those of you that shoot any sort of action shooting -- Steel Challenge, USPSA, IDPA, SASS, ICORE, etc. do you typically shooting with both eyes open or one closed?

Do you use iron sights, dots or optics?

Does it differ between long guns and handguns for you? Thanks.

 

[GarySTL]

Both eyes open for all except with higher power optics for me.

I'm including iron sights and red dots. By higher power optics I mean 8 power or more.

 

[ATLDave]

I shoot (iron-sighted) USPSA with both eyes open, although my left eye sometimes partially closes on harder/longer shots. That's not a deliberate decision, but it happens.

When I fool around with a red-dot equipped rifle, the same.

 

[Varminterror]

Both open. Any sights, any firearm.

 

[Sunray]

Iron sights, dots or optics depends on the game's rules. For example, in IPSC, optic/electronic sights are only permitted in the Open Division. Not at all in all the rest. No compensators either. No optics in IDPA ever. USPSA created the Carry Optics division.
None of the Shooting Games are remotely practical or any kind of training/practice for anything but that particular game either.
Which eye is mostly personal preference. If one works for you, use one. Rifles are normally fired with one, but it's still a preference. A lot depends on the game too though.

 

[waktasz]

Both open. Any sights, any firearm.

Same here.

For those without strong eye dominance on one side, taping over the lense of the shooting glasses on the off side with clear tape usually does enough to allow you to keep both eyes open and focus with your stronger eye. You lose visual acuity and peripheral vision when you close one eye.

 

[ny32182]

I shoot (iron-sighted) USPSA with both eyes open, although my left eye sometimes partially closes on harder/longer shots. That's not a deliberate decision, but it happens.

This is what happens to me. I don't close it entirely, but I think I get the "tape effect" by slightly closing down one eye. I can do a million dryfire reps concentrating on slamming both eyes completely open, but when the chips are down I'm going to squint (NOT close) the right eye every time. I shoot left hand and have a slight left eye dominance.

Here is a picture of exactly what I do in a match shooting at targets that actually require use of the sights.

I don't think it really hurts my peripheral vision as I can transition at the same speed in either direction, all else equal.

 

[ATLDave]

^^ Probably about the only thing I can do like Nick!

 

[Peter Gun]

Same here, I strive for two eyes all the time , but often close my left eye instinctively at more difficult shots for my open sites USPSA gun.
When I use a reflex holosite, always two eyes open. You learn to ignore the tube or frame and you only see one dot.

 

[badkarmamib]

Same. Right eye open, left eye open at about 7 yards, but left eye squints, proportional to the distance being shot. With a scoped rifle, both eyes open.

 

[25-5]

About 2 years ago I started using both eyes. One eye is a tough habit to break. A couple decades ago I did open both eyes for plates, but that was it.
Rifle was easy to pick up for scope or iron. Pistol a bit harder. I shoot right handed with both eyes open, but if I switch to my left hand I have a heck of a time keeping my right eye open. Once you get used to it you'll like it. Real improvement for target acquisition.

 

[macgrumpy]

This is what happens to me. I don't close it entirely, but I think I get the "tape effect" by slightly closing down one eye. I can do a million dryfire reps concentrating on slamming both eyes completely open, but when the chips are down I'm going to squint (NOT close) the right eye every time. I shoot left hand and have a slight left eye dominance.

Here is a picture of exactly what I do in a match shooting at targets that actually require use of the sights.

I don't think it really hurts my peripheral vision as I can transition at the same speed in either direction, all else equal.

I do pretty much the same thing except for long range shooting with high powered optics, then I find myself using my dominant eye only.

 

[Sav .250]

That`s more of a personal decision.

 

[lpsharp88]

One eye closed for everything I shoot. Range plinking, IDPA, and trap/skeet. I have a very hard time making both eyes open work.

 

[firewrench044]

Best way is with both eyes open
But some shooters are wrong eye dominate ( cross eye dominance )
( R handed left eye dominate, L handed right eye dominate )( 30 to 40% of people )
These people ( and I am one of them ) use a variety of methods
closing the dominate eye
a blinder over the dominate eye
tipping the head so the dominate eye is sighting
using a modified hold and stance ( shifting the gun in front of the dominate eye )

I show my cross dominate eye students all the methods and let them chose the one
they are comfortable with
But if they will be carrying concealed they can not put on a blinder in a self defense
situation and usually chose the one eye closed method

 

[1MoreFord]

Right hand dominant here. About equal eye dominance. I learned to shoot with my left eye shut. Even shoot shotguns this way. While competing in IPSC I was persuaded to try both eyes open. Never could tell if I was hitting the target or missing that way. What did finally work was a piece of Scotch tape on the left lens to obscure the vision but left me with peripheral vision and vision at my feet when moving.

 

[1stmarine]

Both eyes unless there is a problem. It is very tricky to say w/o an assessment.
We all have unique set of optics (eyes) and also circuitry (brain) so this is something that should be assessed one on one
and then get into the right technique and make it an habit.
the scotch tape is a good trick for some. slightly closing one eye works the same.
Again hard to say. giving advice w/o assessment and watching and talking to you is very hard.
I would hire a professional for a one on one session. It must be the best investment you ever made. Better than any equipment.

 

[Drail]

Because the human brain evolved to use stereo vision to "see" depth, closing one eye causes a real strain on the open eye - and the brain. Imagine closing one eye to drive a car. Both eyes are better. Some people take longer to "learn" to relax and let the brain work - but it can be learned.

 

[firewrench044]

Drail --
It is obvious that your dominant eye is on the same side as your dominant arm, and you can not comprehend
the problems associated with cross dominance, aiming a gun, throwing a rock accurately, we cut ourselves more
when handling a knife, we hit ourselves more when swinging a hammer the list goes on and on, when we
" Relax and let the brain work" that is when we miss the target, cut ourselves or smash my hand with a hammer
Its like any other physical impairment we have learned to cope with or compensate for it

Yes it is better to have both eyes open when aiming a gun but 30 to 40% of the worlds population has trouble
doing it your way, so we cope or compensate the best way our brain can

Stop trying to pound this square peg into your round hole

 

[Drail]

SO SORRY I offended you sir.

 

[VThillman]

For target shooting, you should do what works best for your score. In SD situations, closing one eye limits your 'situational awareness'. That could be detrimental to your health.

 

[mgmorden]

Do whatever works best for you. For me, that's closing one eye. With both eyes open you can still focus on one thing, but what's out of focus gains a bit of a double image. It's less pronounced the farther away it is, but its always there. With one eye closed, if something is out of focus it's merely a bit blurry. I focus on the front sight, but I find it easier to place it correctly on the target with the other eye closed.

 

[Sebring Pop]

Two eyes always, one eye is for winking.

 

[tarosean]

t is obvious that your dominant eye is on the same side as your dominant arm, and you can not comprehend
the problems associated with cross dominance, aiming a gun, throwing a rock accurately, we cut ourselves more
when handling a knife, we hit ourselves more when swinging a hammer the list goes on and on, when we
" Relax and let the brain work" that is when we miss the target, cut ourselves or smash my hand with a hammer
Its like any other physical impairment we have learned to cope with or compensate for it

Now I have a built in excuse for smashing my thumb all the time? Woot woot.

I am cross dominant, I will catch myself squinting at times, though try my best to use two eyes.

 

[Skeet 25]

Both open always, every gun . Use a eye cover for one , if your using optics. This will help eye strain of your shooting eye.