Which Hand?

[jrwings]

I'm a long time rifle and shotgun shooter and shoot sporting clays on a regular basis. I've started shooting pistol and have a question about which hand is best. I'm right eyed and shoot long guns from the right shoulder. However, I'm left handed.
From a traditional Weaver stance using my right hand, my right eye, right arm and the gun are aligned. If I switch to my stronger left side, I have to align my right eye with my left arm and the gun. Thoughts?

 

[DZL HOG]

Its really whatever is most comfortable and works best for you.

The instructor at I class I attended is left eye dominant but shoots right handed. He shoots rifles left handed, but shoots pistols right handed. He cants the gun slightly and tilts his head. Which is pretty much the same thing everyone does when doing weak hand shooting. Just b/c I change control hands I still sight with the same eye.

 

[Jason_G]

From a traditional Weaver stance using my right hand, my right eye, right arm and the gun are aligned. If I switch to my stronger left side, I have to align my right eye with my left arm and the gun. Thoughts?

Well, the real benefit to the Weaver stance (at least IMO) is that it is similar to a fighting stance, and you can quickly go hand to hand, defend, or shoot from retention. Are you able to do this comfortably or are you off balance? If you are off balance or feel awkward trying to use your right hand, you might try to learn shooting with both eyes open and use your left hand.
I personally can't do it too well, but many folks shoot with both open and do it well.

Jason

 

[4thPointOfContact]

I have the same problem. Left handed but right eye dominant. I shoot pistols left handed and rifles right hand. I use a modified Weaver and don't have any real problems, it's really a bit advantageous sometimes when making a quick switch.

 

[WardenWolf]

Whatever feels the most natural. It depends also on how strong your eye dominance is. I'm left handed, naturally left eye dominant, but I can switch my active eye without even thinking about it. You might consider trying to develop your left eye more by covering our right eye for periods of time while performing basic (safe) household tasks.

 

[jrwings]

Good responses - about what I thought - no hard and fast rule. I seem to be doing well with the right hand and guess I'll stay the course. I do like the idea that my left - stronger - hand is free to fend of a close encounter. Thanks for the input - it removes the lingering question.

 

[Jim Watson]

Have you actually shot the gun with different combinations of hand and eye?
Use the combination that gets hits.

 

[inSight-NEO]

Personally, Im right handed but am left eye dominant. For handguns, I tend to use a modified weaver (Chapman) stance. Even though this may seem "less practical", I find it offers the best control for me. I keep both eyes open for this one, while slightly canting the weapon towards and under my left eye. Occasionally, I may squint my left eye (should I prefer to force strong side dominance). For the shotgun, I keep both eyes open (shooting right handed), but tend to squint my left eye about 40-50% in order to force right eye dominance. I use GR sights for the shotgun, so it works out well for me.

Cross-dominance stinks...lemme put it that way. Personally, I have neither the inclination nor the time to force (on a permanent basis) strong side dominance, whether with handguns or shotguns. I definately am not patient enough to start learning how to shoot left-handed, particularly with a shotgun. So, I prefer to stick with the methods I listed earlier. They have worked out so far. Are they the best methods? Im not sure. But, they seem to be the most practical.