Right handed, Left eye dominant

[rogerjames]

This is mostly a rifle question. I have no problem shooting handguns as I am able to tilt my head behind the the sights.

1. Concerning Bolt-Actions... how important is it to have a left-hand model. For example... my first choice for .308 would be Savage 10FP, except this is not offered in lefty. Should I choose a different model that is maybe less than what I want... but offered in lefty. I have also found lefty with MORE than I want, but also cost more than what I want to spend.

2. This is a bigger issue for semi's because I have a greater chance of eating a spent cartridge. At the range I have glasses but in a real life SD situation, this could be a problem.

I would appreciate any opinions from rifle shooters who are right handed and left eyed.

 

[mcwjr13]

I am left eye dominant but right handed I shoot pistols the same way as you do. As far as boltguns go I learned to shoot left handed when I was a kid it actually can be beneficial because you do not have to come up from the scope to cycle the right handed action. On semis I haven't had a problem with my AR's or shotguns.

 

[rogerjames]

I am left eye dominant but right handed I shoot pistols the same way as you do. As far as boltguns go I learned to shoot left handed when I was a kid it actually can be beneficial because you do not have to come up from the scope to cycle the right handright handed action. On semis I haven't had a problem with my AR's or shotguns.

How do you stabilize the barrel if you have to remove your right hand to cycle the bolt? In a non-bench rest situation.

 

[UMB]

I use......

frosted tape on my shooting glasses, on the left lense, so that it blures out the target, and I'm forced to use my right eye to sight with as I shoot right handed. Works well with an O3A3 in high power matches. I do know several people who shoot that rifle left handed, they just reach over to work the bolt. Watch the sniper in" Saving Private Ryan", he's working the bolt left handed.

 

[Rat Robb]

Similar situation for myself.

Taught myself to shoot handguns with my left and actually is beneficial in a SD situation as I can fend someone off with my right arm if need be and it is a tad stronger than the left.

I haven't had any problems with semi's or bolt-actions shooting left.

-Robb

 

[Hungry Seagull]

I use the front dot sight on the handguns, but shoot shotgun flat right.

That stiff neck you see is from the head tilt I need to do to make it work.

I dont even think about it anymore.

 

[ronbwolf]

The eye dominance thing is overrated IMHO. Shooting handguns it is not much of a problem if you shoot with both eyes open, a minor adjustment. Shooting rifles it is only a problem with iron sights. Scoped firearms generally involve the closing of one eye, and if that is the left and it is closed, does it matter if it is dominant? (I don't think so, but not sure, maybe an opthamologist can help.) Shotguns similarly to rifles, if both eyes are open, problem, one eye closed, no problem. The big difference seems to be eye relief, and sight plane, and the ability, or inability to close one eye or the other, at will. Longer sight plane, bigger problem, but seemingly relieved by closing one eye. I would be interested in other opinions. I have a friend who shoots handguns right handed, and long guns left handed, just the way she was taught, and she is very good with all.

 

[Sunray]

"...tilt my head behind the the sights..." Move your hind leg to bring the pistol over instead of tilting your head. And shoot with both eyes open.
1. It's not really important. The sights don't make a lick of difference either. Your options are limited for a factory, heavy barreled, .308 from Savage though.
2. Brass flying around is not a consideration. It usually goes up and out. Doesn't come anywhere near your head.

 

[wep45]

shooting handguns as I am able to tilt my head behind the the sights.

dont tilt your head..........cant the gun aproximately 45 degrees to put the sights in line with your eye sight

 

[P.B.Walsh]

I just shoot right handed

 

[MisterMike]

I don't claim to be an eye doctor, though I play one on TV . . .

There is something to the whole notion of eye dominance, but not everyone has a truly dominant eye. And, surprisingly, eye dominance can shift, particularly as one's eye health changes.

The advice above, about wearing a frosted lens on your left eye is actually pretty much on target (pun intended). By doing this repeatedly, there is a pretty good chance that you can cause a shift, to become right-eye dominant.

 

[SmokeyVol]

The eye dominance thing is overrated IMHO.

Not so fast.

Maybe it is overrated if both eyes are fairly equal, but my left eye is much stronger than my right eye and I am right handed. I have bad astimatism in my right eye and I can barely see the target. At my age (55), I cannot learn to shoot left handed; it's just too awkward. I tried many times, but imagine trying to throw left handed when you have thrown right handed your entire life. It just doesn't work.

On handguns, I shift my stance and arms so I sight with my good left eye. On shotguns, I keep both eyes open and sight with my good left eye down the side of the barrel. Rifles are a real challenge. I cannot use iron sights worth a hoot, but with a good scope, I can at least see the target and reticle.

 

[bensdad]

The advice above, about wearing a frosted lens on your left eye is actually pretty much on target (pun intended). By doing this repeatedly, there is a pretty good chance that you can cause a shift, to become right-eye dominant.

I don't claim this often, as people seem incredulous when I mention it. I've done it. I put a piece of frosty tape, about the size of my pinky fingernail, on the left lense of my shooting glasses. It goes just above and to the left of direct line of sight. When I tip my head - just a little - to shoot, the tape obstructs my left eye. Wearing these glasses almost exclusively as sunglasses has caused an almost complete shift in dominance.

 

[rogerjames]

OK, I have been playing around with this lately, simply aiming at things around the house with either eye. What I have discovered is... if I keep both eyes open, my left eye is the only accurate eye as this is my dominant eye. If I close one eye, my right eye seems to be just as accurate as the left. I will have to test this at the range but this seems promising.

Close, self-defense, handgun situations are better served with both eyes open IMO. Even though I am right handed, I can tilt my head or tilt the gun and I am ready to go.

IMO, long guns, especially with a scope, are much more tolerant of the "one eye" approach. If this turns out to be accurate, I am good to go

 

[uncle joe]

roger
I am also right handed and left eye dominant. I only realized this when I started using a bow hunting. I have always shot rifles and shotguns left handed because (i know this will sound stupid) I cannot shut my left eye alone. Don't know why no nerves or whatever controls the solo action of it. anyway has not been a problem until then. I had to buy a lefty bow but I have shot right handed bolts and autos. I do prefer left handed ones though, they are much easier to get off a second shot without unshouldering the weapon.

 

[JTyyba]

I am both handed and my left eye is dominant. I shoot with pistols with my right hand. Shotguns and rifles I shoot from left side. I prefer semiauto rifles and shotguns. I haven´t had any problems shooting RK62, M1Garand or Remington semiautos with brass flying at my face. Only thing annoying me is that I can use my M39 bolt action fluently from the right side. During my sniper training I shot from left side...loading is not an issue using a bipod even with bolt action rifles.

 

[opksrj]

I'm left handed left eye dominant, but I don't have any real issues working a bolt action left handed - it just takes some getting used to