I shoot with one eye closed.

[ajl2121]

Hello everyone...I can't shoot with both eyes open...Well, unless I'm shooting my shotgun (I pretty much point down range and pull the trigger and it always seems to hit the target). However, when I shoot my pistols, I can only aim and shoot when I close my left eye--I am right handed and right eye dominant. Is this normal??

When I practice with my left hand, I also shoot with just my right eye open. Is this normal??

[Waingro]

Go with whatever works for you. Maybe others who are more experienced will say differently. I saw a girl at the shooting range who shot with both eyes closed and did better then I did. She was shooting a big revolver too, I was shooting a Glock 19.

[.223]

I saw a girl at the shooting range who shot with both eyes closed and did better then I did.

Sounds more like a safety hazard than a technique

As far as aiming goes, I'll usually shoot pistols with both eyes open unless I'm going for precision, and I always close my left eye for long arms.

[huna koa]

Hello everyone...I can't shoot with both eyes open...Well, unless I'm shooting my shotgun (I pretty much point down range and pull the trigger and it always seems to hit the target). However, when I shoot my pistols, I can only aim and shoot when I close my left eye--I am right handed and right eye dominant. Is this normal??

When I practice with my left hand, I also shoot with just my right eye open. Is this normal??

***I have no choice, I'm totally blind in one eye, so I do the best I can and practice twice as much as people with two eyes***we can all laugh together***LOL***yes, I can laugh at myself, I'm OK with that.

[Wulf]

Shooting with both eyes open is a little bit more of an advanced skill. Basically you've trained you brain to ignore the input from the other eye for aiming purposes while still taking in the landscape. Try just squinting the left eye, as an intermediate step. Most people find that they shoot a little faster and maintain better situational awareness with both eyes open, so I think its worth working on.

[M. Sage]

Hello everyone...I can't shoot with both eyes open...Well, unless I'm shooting my shotgun (I pretty much point down range and pull the trigger and it always seems to hit the target). However, when I shoot my pistols, I can only aim and shoot when I close my left eye--I am right handed and right eye dominant. Is this normal??

When I practice with my left hand, I also shoot with just my right eye open. Is this normal??

Very normal. As long as you're hitting the target, don't worry about it.

If I practice with a handgun left-handed, I tip the sights in line with my right eye. Come to think of it, I think I handgun with both eyes open, but still line the sights up with the dominant side.

If I'm shooting a rifle, I'll usually block my weak eye's view (learned that from a High Master shooter.)

[rivviepop]

Now I can't rightly explain this one myself, but I can shoot semis with both eyes open but I shoot the revolvers with one eye closed. go figure.

[Franksremote]

You can train to shoot with both eyes open. A larger field of view is very desirable if you are engaging more than one target in an array and having both eyes open allows you to not only superimpose the target with the sights but also to shoot more without straining. A little tape on the inside of your weak eye lens will "block" your field of view while teaching you to keep 'em both open. Eventually you just lose the tape.

[maxicon]

Yes, for self-defense shooting, training to shoot with both eyes open is a big plus. It's easy - just start doing it at the range. Whenever you catch yourself closing one eye, open it back up. After a while, you'll shoot with both eyes open automatically.

When I'm shooting handguns for best groups, I close one eye, but for general shooting practice, I keep both open.

[ajl2121]

Hmmm. I figured it would be better to have both eyes open, but when I do so my sights become blurry...Of course I could shoot with both eyes open and not use my sights...If the target or perp. was close enough, I woudn't even bother to use the sights; just point and shoot. So, the general consensus is that after diligent practice and training, I should be able to have both eyes open, but match up the sights with just my right eye?

[razorduc]

At least you're not right handed, but left eye dominant. I've learned to deal and even aim with my right eye a bit, but still sometimes shoddy. Wreaks havoc playing pool too.

Not to jack the thread, but anyone have good tips to train to shoot handguns with both eyes open?

[Diablo]

Not to jack the thread, but anyone have good tips to train to shoot handguns with both eyes open?

+1. I'm interested on the basics. Are you supposed to keep both eyes open and line up the sights with the dominant eye?

[jchen76@gmail.com]

When I started it was left eye closed, right handed shooting. To progress I had to do lots of dry firing to feel comfortable. I found by having a consistent, accurate, shooting stance (mine was isosceles) then worked from there. Next I adjusted my head, not the position of my handgun. For me, it was turning my head to left until I could align the sights properly. While dry firing, I tilted my head to get a clear sight picture with both eyes opened until it became natural. I recommend practicing dry firing as much as possible to get accustomed to both eyes open.

BTW, I am right eye dominant.

[rivviepop]

+1. I'm interested on the basics. Are you supposed to keep both eyes open and line up the sights with the dominant eye?

The part about "with the dominant eye" I think (personal opinion) will vary from person to person based on how strong or weak your eyes are. Before I had LASIK I was in the 20/200 to 20/220 range (as in really, really bad) and my left eye suffered a lot and was much worse; back then my right eye was very dominant and I aimed differently. Post LASIK I'm about 20/15 and my left eye is much better - still weak(er) but not like it used to be; I adjusted my aim over time as the eyes re-learned how to see together (not just firearms but everything). I can definitely say post-LASIK my spacial perception is a billion times better, I really feel it when I weave my motorbike through traffic - I'm sure this is what makes shooting with both eyes open a lot easier.

[ajl2121]

At least you're not right handed, but left eye dominant. I've learned to deal and even aim with my right eye a bit, but still sometimes shoddy. Wreaks havoc playing pool too.

Not to jack the thread, but anyone have good tips to train to shoot handguns with both eyes open?

No worries...You're not "jacking" the thread. I am very interested in knowing the techniques as well...That's why I started this thread. Thanks for the additions.