My eyes!!!

[freethemouse]

I'm right handed. I recently discovered that I see much more clearly with my left eye than with my right, even though I feel more comfortable using my right eye than my left (i.e., I don't think I'm left-eye dominant). I'm going to get my eyes checked out again and hopefully I can fix this with new glasses, but in the meantime/worst case scenario (if my eyes are just f***ed, I was wondering if anybody had any tips.

The main thing is that I just don't physically feel comfortable when using my left eye. I have to strain my neck to get into a shooting posture. I'm considering canting the gun a little bit, but I don't know if this is proper or if there's any big disadvantage to this (I plan to start doing some action shooting in the near future).

The only good thing is that I can sort of rest my cheek on my shoulder, kinda like on a rifle. =) This gives me a little more stability with acquiring new targets.

[ExtremeX]

I actually shoot my handguns with both eyes open... you might want to try that and see where it takes you… it took a little practice to get there but now I practice and train that way.

[BanjoGunner]

I am right-handed, right-eye dominant, and shoot with both eyes open. When I shoot left-handed, I was taught to cant the handgun ~15-20 degrees clockwise to bring it in line with my right eye. Works for me.

[littlejake]

Many cross eye dominant people shoot by canting the gun. You problem is likely aging eyes. With aging we lose depth of field; and typically require negative diopter correction for distance. Shooting with iron sight, one focuses on the front sight, lines up the rear; and the target is somewhat out of focus. With young eyes, we can see both front sight an target well.

Get an eye exam; glasses if needed. You might consider 1X optics for a handgun as both the reticle and target are at infinite focus. A sight such as an Aimpoint reflex sight; or a matchdot ultra works well.

[Vepr 54R]

I am just like you...qualifying with iron sights on my M16 at Ft. Benning was terrifying (The entire platoon had to qualify to get pizza that night)

[wash]

[Chaozu]

I'm right eye dominant but shoot my pistols with my left eye for some reason (right handed). The shotgun is always with my right eye, I didn't realize I was doing this until I started shooting clays. Why I switch eyes I have no idea, but it's what feels comfortable.

[freethemouse]

Many cross eye dominant people shoot by canting the gun. You problem is likely aging eyes. With aging we lose depth of field; and typically require negative diopter correction for distance. Shooting with iron sight, one focuses on the front sight, lines up the rear; and the target is somewhat out of focus. With young eyes, we can see both front sight an target well.

Get an eye exam; glasses if needed. You might consider 1X optics for a handgun as both the reticle and target are at infinite focus. A sight such as an Aimpoint reflex sight; or a matchdot ultra works well.

Oh my god. I'm only 26. Aging eyes?! .

My eyes have got bad since I was young, but my prescription hasn't changed much at all in the past decade+.

[sharxbyte]

my left is also better.. Slight astigmatism in both eyes, so I just wear my glasses ... I'm 20, so dont feel bad xD

[Lead Waster]

Don't cant the gun, just turn your head to the right! What kind if stance are you using? I'm going to guess weaver.

[freethemouse]

Don't cant the gun, just turn your head to the right! What kind if stance are you using? I'm going to guess weaver.

I stand square to the target; sometimes with my right foot slightly behind the left but my torso is directly facing the target. I don't know what stance that's called though.

About turning the head to the right: I feel like that has me looking through the side of my lens (on my glasses, that is) which is probably not properly calibrated for optimal vision. That is, the best place to look through on my glasses is straight in front of my pupils when I'm facing the object (assuming they didn't mess up when they were measuring my pupil distance). Now, I do turn my head to the right anyway but I also tilt my head/push it out towards the right, which is what I'm finding to be uncomfortable.

Also, I think the problem with my right eye could be my eye-lashes. I have very long eye-lashes that have cause me some trouble in the past. I think I may need to start curling them.

[Garyson1311]

+1 for shooting with both eyes open.

[HighLander51]

cross dominance is a problem, but easily fixed. First we have to assume you can see the front sight razor sharp with either eye. Just put a piece of scotch tape over your cross dominant eye, keep both eyes open and focus on the front sight. The target and rear sight can be fuzzy. The tape will trick the left eye into seeing, but the right eye will actually focus.

[Freq18Hz]

Can I be the first one to say:

Getting old ****ing sucks ***!!!

I have this same problem, only mine is not correctable by lenses, instead I need a cornea transplant. Creepy!

-Freq

[Big Kid]

It may take some time. But it is possible to retrain yourself. I was injured and in a coma in April this year. I lost 25% of my vision and had to switch from left to right eye shooting. Then I decided to use both eyes. It really helps. Good luck and just keep trying and don't give up.