shooting with both eyes open

[coltn46920]

I heard that shooting with both eyes open is better? Is this true? I heard that closings one eye while shooting can damage your vision permanently. Is this true?

I find it impossible to shoot with both eyes open. I can't focus on the target. And flinching becomes a problem.

[Sheepdog1968]

Shooting with both eyes open IMO is highly overrated and overemphasized. In real combat you are going to have tunnel vision anyway. Close one eye and be done with it. I've been shooting firearms and air rifles for 30 years and there has been no damage I am aware of because of thid. My prescription for my glasses has hardly changed over twenty years.

What I think is much more important is to practice shooting stong hand, weak hand including single handed. Much more likely to need this. Also do same for long arms.

[Jonathan Doe]

I shoot competitively, and I shoot with both eyes open. When you look through the peep sights, you will see the difference between shooting with both eyes open and one eye closed. At least I see the difference.

[maschronic]

i always try shooting with both eyes open. it helps me to see the surrounding while i'm aiming at the target.

when i'm shooting rifle, it is 1 eye open.

[VegasND]

How does the vision in your two eyes compare? I'm left handed and, because of a bad astigmatism in the left, right eye dominant. I've had to adjust quite a bit to this and find it impossible to focus on sights or target with both eyes open. I also shoot long gun right handed because of the eyes.

A good shooting coach who understands the limitations people may have to work with can help.

[five.five-six]

I like shooting with both eyes closed

[Diablo]

Check out this thread. Good information here..

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=80034

[Beelzy]

I like shooting with both eyes closed

That would be the Home Defense tactic.

Both eyes open for Combat/Defensive shooting, one eye close for Target shooting.

You need to get good at both disciplines.

As for eye dominance, let the strong eye dictate. Don't try like others do,
train your eye to the shooting. Train your shooting to your eye. It's more
instinctive and will let you focus more on the target and not the sights.
Which happens to be the main focus of "point shooting".

Another discipline one should be familiar with.

Happy Shooting!

[cal3gunner]

...

[HCz]

both eyes for me. the rationale I heard was that in shooting, you are more likely to have both eyes open, so might as well as go that way.

There was a time when I had difficulty with shooting with both eyes open, but after some practice it is now inconsequnetial.

[ST5MF]

I heard that shooting with both eyes open is better? Is this true? I heard that closings one eye while shooting can damage your vision permanently. Is this true?

I find it impossible to shoot with both eyes open. I can't focus on the target. And flinching becomes a problem.

Shooting with both eyes open is paramount if you are combat shooting (you would not fight with one eye closed would you?) Focus should be on the front sight when shooting BTW.

The only damage that can come is the damage an adversary inflicts on you for closing your eye in a fight and you lose SA as a result (closing your eye).

It is not impossible- it just takes time doing it; once a shooter masters it he/she will never go back to the one eye (AMATUER) shooting. Sounds like you are not focusing on the front sight anyway- which may be your obstacle.

Flinching has nothing to do with sight picture IMO. Flinching is due to anticipating the gun going off.

Walk through your house with one eye closed then with both eyes open then...

Ask your self how you would rather fight if necessary.

[ST5MF]

Shooting with both eyes open IMO is highly overrated and overemphasized. In real combat you are going to have tunnel vision anyway. Close one eye and be done with it. I've been shooting firearms and air rifles for 30 years and there has been no damage I am aware of because of thid. My prescription for my glasses has hardly changed over twenty years.

What I think is much more important is to practice shooting stong hand, weak hand including single handed. Much more likely to need this. Also do same for long arms.

No No NO.

[MontanaRifleman]

Both eyes open. I have always done it this way and for me it is easier and more natural. Scope or iron sights, rifle, shotgun or pistol.

It sounds to me like you are trying to sight from your non-dominant eye. If your are right eye dominat you should learn to shoot right handed, or left eye dominant, then left handed.


Mark

[NRAhighpowershooter]

I shoot with my weak side eye slightly drooped closed.. not fully open but not fully closed...

[SuperSet]

Shooting with both eyes open is paramount if you are combat shooting (you would not fight with one eye closed would you?) Focus should be on the front sight when shooting BTW.

The only damage that can come is the damage an adversary inflicts on you for closing your eye in a fight and you lose SA as a result (closing your eye).

It is not impossible- it just takes time doing it; once a shooter masters it he/she will never go back to the one eye (AMATUER) shooting. Sounds like you are not focusing on the front sight anyway- which may be your obstacle.

Flinching has nothing to do with sight picture IMO. Flinching is due to anticipating the gun going off.

Walk through your house with one eye closed then with both eyes open then...

Ask your self how you would rather fight if necessary.

Now that's a great post!