Question: Eye Dominance

[Texas Bob]

As with ANY new shooter, start your friend at "close range." Explain to him, he will have to find what works "naturally for him." How does he hold a pool cue? I am right handed, but left eye dominate, so I shoot a pistol right handed, however I find it very natural for me to shoot pool, or a long gun left handed.

 

[Ladybug]

TexasBob has a very good point -- before you have a long discussion with this person about how they SHOULD hold the weapon (safety aside, of course) or what eye-dominance and handedness means, just let him hold the gun like he would intuitively... I found what works best for me without ever having given any thought to this, and without anyone telling me how to do it. IF he has a hard time, or can't shoot well, show him some alternatives that might work better.

 

[Guntalk]

This is Easy!

I'm right handed, and left-eye dominant. I shoot long guns left handed and handguns right handed.

It works, but this summer, champion shooter Doug Koenig gave me a tip that just makes the problem go away.

For a right-handed, left-eyed shooter like me, DON'T tilt the head, or hold the gun crooked in the hand.

Get a standard grip so that the line of the barrel extends backward straight down the arm.

Just before drawing or brining the gun up to eye level (keeping the head upright and the eyes level), move the head slightly to the right. That is, point your nose about 5 degrees right of the line to the target. Then raise the handgun. The sight will line up with the eye. It's simple, easy, and I've been doing it the hard way for 40 years.

No wonder Koenig is probably the best handgun shooter (maybe all-round shooter) in the country, and maybe on the planet.

 

[Michael_2112]

Returned from range session with friend...

I took my buddy shooting today. What a beautiful day to be at the range.

Before any shooting took place we went through all sorts of handling/safety procedures. We spent a good amount of time just going over everything.

He ended up shooting about 200 rounds of 9mm out of the CZ 75b. He had a blast! Started him out shooting at 7 yards, which is the distance we shot at all day. First two magazines he shot left handed, second two magazines he shot right handed. Amazingly his shooting was way better with his weak hand/dominant eye then shooting with his strong hand. He was able to get some pretty decent groups for his first time ever shooting. I think that since he has never shot a handgun before (having no favoring tendencies) it made it really easy for him to decide which felt better an down right obvious as too which way he shot better.

I know for me (left handed) that when I shoot righty it seems kinda awkward, because I have been shooting left handed for many years. I favor that side and I am a lot more comfortable as well as confident in shooting that way. When I shoot right handed (which I try to do often) it works, but just always feels wrong. The advantage for a new shooter I think is that neither way feels wrong, just new.

So in conclusion and most importantly we have another new shooter to welcome into our community. He is already looking forward to going to the range next weekend with me.


Again, thanks for all of the suggestions,

~Mike

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Again...what's the weaver stance? Right handed, left eye dominant here.

 

[larryw]

There are some good pics of both Weaver and Isoceles here.

 

[makarov]

I'm left handed as well, but have always shot right handed. This makes shooting a rifle MUCH easier. Pistols are less of an issue, but still have him grip the gun with his right hand, support with the left. BTW I am right-eye dominant, that is why I'm making these suggestions. If he was left eye dominant then shoot left. Do the test several times for eye dominance so you are sure before shooting.

My wife is also cross eye dominant and has a very hard time shooting a rifle because she wants to hold it right handed and move the gun and her head until she is looking out her left eye. She also can't wink, but that is another problem.

Shooting a pistol for her works a little better, I have her shoot with both eyes open and hold the gun in an isoscoles (sp?) stance.

If all else fails take a shot gun, he might have fun hitting the target with that.

 

[valnar]

I'm going to chime in and say that if the shooter is new and right-handed, he should shoot right-handed. This is in regards to pistols only.

I'm right handed and left eye dominant. I adjusted and shoot fine. Lets face it, the world is made for right handers. Semi-autos shoot their brass to the right, revolver cylinders open up to the left, etc.

The only clear cut answer is a left handed person with left eye dominant. In that case, shoot left. All other combinations should attempt to use their right hand, even if its just to try it at first.

-Robert

 

[45crittergitter]

Tom G. is right. Y'all are making this too complicated. Shoot with your dominant hand, and hold it properly - no twisting, shifting, etc. Just turn (twist, not bend) your neck slightly so that the proper eye lines up with your properly held gun. Doesn't work with long guns.


“If a man is going to try to kill me by taking the time to use two hands and focus on the sights of his handgun, it just means that God loves me best.†- Bill Jordan

 

[Dorian]

I'm left eye dominant and right handed.

I shoot pistols right handed and left eyed.

I shoot long guns Right handed and right eyed.