Question about shooting pistols with both eyes open...

[HPCadm17]

So I've been messing around dry-firing my pistols with both eyes open, and I have what some of you will consider a dumb question: Where should the focus be, on the target or the front sight, or does it depend on distance?

The reason I ask is that I've watched videos and asked people and I get different answers. It's easy for me to pick up the correct sight picture with both eyes open, but I find it easier to focus on the target than the front sight. This is especially true when the target is within 15 yards. If I squint a little or close my non-dominant eye, the opposite is true.

So, what is the correct way to do this? I just want to make sure I'm not going to start practicing and reinforcing improper technique.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

You should always focus on the front sight.
If you focus on the target you will end up with what is called chasing the bullseye.
Shooting with both eyes open seems to be a problem for a lot of people. I have always wondered how those same people can read a book without closing one eye.
Your dominant eye is what focuses. Your on dominant eye gives you depth presentation. Using both eyes helps you pick up your targets faster.

 

[film495]

front sight. if you can do it - you'll like it better than squinting one eye closed. you see the target better overall - but, really need to think and focus on the front sight. I find I'm less likely to blink/flinch for whatever reason with both eyes open.

 

[1KPerDay]

Most everyone says sharp front sight focus. Travis Haley and some others who have shot in combat or defensively talk about threat focus, since (they say) that’s where your focus naturally is likely to be if you are in a shooting. For shooting groups on paper front sight is probably best.

I tried to really dissect how I was actually shooting on the timer in matches and I believe I shoot primarily target focus. But I’m not a pro level national shooter like some people here.

target focus is also how you shoot red dot optics also, so it comes more naturally.

some more to consider https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...sight-front-sight-press.835391/#post-10810263

 

[sparkyv]

No problem for me shooting with both eyes open, especially when I'm "in the groove". I THINK I focus on the target rather than the front sight, but I haven't really studied my style that meticulously. I guess I just use a more natural style.

 

[Jammersix]

I would steer you towards a good defensive instructor.

Your questions are basic, but they aren't "intro to handgun" questions, they're defensive questions.

The short answer is that it depends on what you're doing, and that's where the instructor comes in.

Good luck!

 

[George P]

As someone who has spent many decades shooting shotguns where your focus is on the target, not any sights and also being nearsighted but wearing glasses for distance, I find it easier to focus on my target, not the front sight. IMO if I can't see the target I am shooting at because I have bi-focals to focus on the front sight, that doesn't do me any good.........

 

[crestoncowboy]

As a handgun hunter who shoots at 100 yards pretty regular I find that I shoot by focusing on the spot on the animal more so than the sight. Shooting steel I tend to follow the front sight. But... hitting anywhere on a stationary steel plate at 20-30-40 yards is a different game than hitting vitals at 100 on an animal that can move at any moment with no make up shooting. Hard to explain. Like others have mentioned above it's hard to say what I focus on exactly but it works for me.
Also for deer or long range handgunning I do close one eye. Shooting steel I do not.

 

[243winxb]

Precision Pistol/Bullseye Pistol.

Cover the non sighting eye with a frosted lens. Or make a clip on from a frosted gal milk carton when shooting in a long match.
The aiming eye needs to focus on the front sight. Dont forget blinders.

 

[HPCadm17]

I just notice that with both eyes open, whether my focus is on the target or the front sight, my accuracy is the same. I'm interested in how that translates to defensive scenarios, since in a defensive scenario I'd likely be hyper-focused on the threat. Thus, I can understand the merit of target focus in defensive shooting. My training goals are for defensive shooting rather than precision/bullseye, if that makes a difference.

I came across this video where around 1:50 he talks about focus as dictated by the shot:

 

[Shawn Dodson]

You can do target focus out to about 15 yards with accurate results. Beyond that distance you need to use front sight focus.

To develop your ability to shoot accurately using target focus set your target out 5-7 yards. Aim your pistol using front sight focus then, without moving your pistol, shift your focus to the target. Take note of your sight picture. Shift your focus back to the front sight then back to the target. Learn to see your sights when your focus is on the target. Do this several times. Fire a couple of rounds using front sight focus. See where your rounds land on the target. Then focus on the front sight then shift focus to the target and fire a shot. Keep shifting your focus back and forth, firing one round in each focus "mode". Eventually you'll learn to see what you need to see with your sights when you use target focus mode. Practice and you'll intuitively be able to accurately place your shots in target focus mode - your bullets will naturally hit the point you're looking at on the target. Good luck!

 

[243winxb]

My training goals are for defensive shooting

Focus on center of mass of the intended target, while looking over the sights.

 

[George P]

You can do target focus out to about 15 yards with accurate results. Beyond that distance you need to use front sight focus.

To develop your ability to shoot accurately using target focus set your target out 5-7 yards. Aim your pistol using front sight focus then, without moving your pistol, shift your focus to the target. Take note of your sight picture. Shift your focus back to the front sight then back to the target. Learn to see your sights when your focus is on the target. Do this several times. Fire a couple of rounds using front sight focus. See where your rounds land on the target. Then focus on the front sight then shift focus to the target and fire a shot. Keep shifting your focus back and forth, firing one round in each focus "mode". Eventually you'll learn to see what you need to see with your sights when you use target focus mode. Practice and you'll intuitively be able to accurately place your shots in target focus mode - your bullets will naturally hit the point you're looking at on the target. Good luck!

But that only works is you have eyesight that allows you to see distance or closeup. In my situation, my age-related near-sightedness (happens when you get well over 40) I have to choose with my glasses to focus near or far, not back and forth. I choose far because I can't hit what I can't see - if you're close enough, I can make the hits; but at any distance not so much.

So one has to do what works for you.

 

[1MoreFord]

I've never been able to shoot with both eyes open in the conventional sense. With both eyes open and unobstructed I can't call my shots and tell where I'm shooting. While I call myself right eye dominant my eyes are so close to each other in dominance I'm never sure about my sight picture. I finally wound up shooting IPSC by placing a piece of 3M transparent tape on the left lens of my shooting glasses thus obscuring my left eye vision. I could still see most everything but the sights.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I've never been able to shoot with both eyes open in the conventional sense. With both eyes open and unobstructed I can't call my shots and tell where I'm shooting. While I call myself right eye dominant my eyes are so close to each other in dominance I'm never sure about my sight picture. I finally wound up shooting IPSC by placing a piece of 3M transparent tape on the left lens of my shooting glasses thus obscuring my left eye vision. I could still see most everything but the sights.

Don’t worry, I know some people that can’t read a book with both eyes open.
All joking aside, some people have a problem, most often with handguns, with being able to focus on the front sight with both eyes open. But what’s most important is sight alignment and sight picture.
I learned to shoot in the Marine Corps. Back in the day they thought us how to shoot out to 500 meters (560 yards) with open sights, in unsupported positions.
Correct Sight alignment and sight picture makes a big difference the further out your target is.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I've always shot with both eyes open. I mainly focus on the sights but learned target focused shooting at closer targets.

I always recommend that new shooters start off focusing on the front sight because it makes diagnosing other faults in their technique easier.

As I've gotten older and my eyesight degraded, glasses are the norm. Since I'm already getting prescription glasses, I had them set the lenses for my dominate eye for the front sight (brought my gun in for measurement) and the one for my non-dominant eye for distance. There is a learning curve when you see both in sharp focus

 

[Obturation]

I have very good vision, I can not shoot bullseye accurate with both eyes open. With both open I can shoot steel targets to knock them over but if I want a tight group one eye must be closed, it's how I learned and trained for years. I understand the advantages of both eyes open and I'm sure I could train to shoot better that way but I don't feel a need to. My automatic muscle memory response to wanting to shoot something is to close my left eye. If we're talking minute of man at 10 yards, I don't need sights for that type of shooting so one eye closed or both open is irrelevant to that type of shooting in my opinion. I'm not an expert and don't claim to be but tactics and shooting styles change every few years so what's best today will be called garbage tomorrow. Shoot how you do the best, that's what I do and I haven't died yet.

 

[herrwalther]

I have learned plenty about my eyes after getting an optic (can't call it a red dot, because it is green) on my pistol. And I haven't even fired a round yet. The astigmatism in my right eye is far worse than my left. I was seeing multiple green dots with my right eye only and both eyes open, as I am right eye dominant. Thankfully mine comes with 3 different reticles, and the largest reticle distortion is less noticeable with my right eye astigmatism. Don't understand why but I am going with it.

Army shooting on iron sights and Aimpoint red dots, always one eye open. Both eyes open never worked for me and it showed on the range. Finally on my pistol with a green dot, I may be able to shoot with both eyes open. I will know more on range day.