Both eyes open

[dc7rr1]

I tried a search and couldn't find anything so I hope it's not a repost.

I was recently told, by an experienced shooter, to keep both eyes open when I shoot my handgun. I tried it and started getting the hang of it but my eyes kept getting kind of crossed up after about 6-7 shots, at which point I'd have to close my eyes for a brief moment.

Do a lot of you shoot handguns with both eyes open?

[stphnman20]

I shoot with both eyes open. Just practice. You'll get use to it.

[FresnoRob]

Some of the best shooters in the world close one eye. But yes I shoot with both open. The best argument I have seen for both eyes open is in a combat situation. You need to see as much of your environment as possible.

[ElDub1950]

I think it's very important to practice with both eyes open, especially for defensive practice because in a high stress situation you will almost never have/take the time to close one eye and get a good sight picture before firing. If you never practice that way, who knows where your rounds will go.

It's also critical to adjust for eye dominance .. for example, I'm left eye dominant and right handed and need a slightly different technique than most. Not hard, just requires practice.

[Cool Custard]

Just takes time and practice.

[JTROKS]

I started shooting squinting the weak eye but I can still see a little with it. I shoot accurately with that technique, but I engage targets faster with both eyes open. If targets are 15 yards and under both my eyes are open. When targets are at beyond 15 yards my weak eye starts squinting.

[javaduke]

It is recommended to shoot with both eyes open, because if you close one eye, your brain will think it doesn't get enough light and the pupil of your open eye will expand, which in turn will reduce the depth of field, making your sights and the target blurry.
All you have to do is to put a piece of translucent scotch tape on your shooting glasses over your non-dominant eye.

[nitroxdiver]

It depends. Close and fast say inside 5 yards, I do. When my shots need more precision, then I close one eye. That's what I do in USPSA comp.


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[smittty]

Yes both eyes open with pistol, shotgun and some of my rifle that have marbles bullseye rear sights.

[Erion929]

I think it's very important to practice with both eyes open, especially for defensive practice because in a high stress situation you will almost never have/take the time to close one eye and get a good sight picture before firing. If you never practice that way, who knows where your rounds will go.

It's also critical to adjust for eye dominance .. for example, I'm left eye dominant and right handed and need a slightly different technique than most. Not hard, just requires practice.

I'm newer to handguns and discovered this, never really bothered me with rifles for some reason. I'm also left eye dominant, but right-handed. I shoot with both eyes open, but just move my hands about 2" to the left to line up the sights with the left eye. This was suggested to me by a vet shooter and it works fine that way.

[r_seng]

I think it's very important to practice with both eyes open, especially for defensive practice because in a high stress situation you will almost never have/take the time to close one eye and get a good sight picture before firing. If you never practice that way, who knows where your rounds will go.

It's also critical to adjust for eye dominance .. for example, I'm left eye dominant and right handed and need a slightly different technique than most. Not hard, just requires practice.

How do you adjust for the difference? I am the same as you.

[killmime1234]

Focus on your front sight post. If you do this, the target gets a bit blurred but you don't see it in double and it allows you to naturally keep both eyes open without concentrating on it.

[ElDub1950]

I'm newer to handguns and discovered this, never really bothered me with rifles for some reason. I'm also left eye dominant, but right-handed. I shoot with both eyes open, but just move my hands about 2" to the left to line up the sights with the left eye. This was suggested to me by a vet shooter and it works fine that way.

How do you adjust for the difference? I am the same as you.

I simply turn my head to the right a few degrees and my left eye is aligned with the sights.

Moving your hands to the left works. Other's feel you need to learn to shoot left handed. As I understand it, the tape-on-the-glasses trick is a good start to re-training your right eye .. works on the range. Don't know how long it takes to re-train.

Just practice going from a low ready and get your shot on target as quickly as possible until it becomes a natural feel. One of the methods should work for you.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Both open, you'll get used to it. And don't blink either (until after the shot).

[trigger945]

I shoot with both eyes open when shooting a handgun, but with one eye closed when shooting an AR with iron sights.