Im left eye dominant and im right handed. does this mean i wont be able to shoot with both eyes open?.. my left eye will be running the show but my right eye is looking down the scope.
kenny
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shooting with two eyes
- Thread starter kentactic
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Re: shooting with two eyes
Have you tried shooting with both eyes open? That seems to be the easiest way to find out. I can't think of a reason why it would be a problem. I can shoot with both eyes open when shooting both right and left handed. One way is easier than the other, but I'm practicing to eliminate that difference.
Have you tried shooting with both eyes open? That seems to be the easiest way to find out. I can't think of a reason why it would be a problem. I can shoot with both eyes open when shooting both right and left handed. One way is easier than the other, but I'm practicing to eliminate that difference.
Re: shooting with two eyes
yeah i was just curious... ive yet to finish building my bolt rifle. once i actually try it i will know quite quickly.
yeah i was just curious... ive yet to finish building my bolt rifle. once i actually try it i will know quite quickly.
Re: shooting with two eyes
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kentactic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">yeah i was just curious... ive yet to finish building my bolt rifle. once i actually try it i will know quite quickly. </div></div>
I see. With some practice you should be able to do it easily enough. It just takes a while for your brain to get used to holding focus on something with your non dominant eye. One trick to help with it is to put some Scotch tape over the left lens of your shooting glasses. That way your dominant eye doesn't have anything to focus on.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kentactic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">yeah i was just curious... ive yet to finish building my bolt rifle. once i actually try it i will know quite quickly. </div></div>
I see. With some practice you should be able to do it easily enough. It just takes a while for your brain to get used to holding focus on something with your non dominant eye. One trick to help with it is to put some Scotch tape over the left lens of your shooting glasses. That way your dominant eye doesn't have anything to focus on.
Re: shooting with two eyes
I am left eye dominate and right handed as well. I didn't even know it was an issue until I started playing with pistols. It is just a matter of learning how to shoot that way, so practice is key. I still struggle with the pistol so I shoot both left and right handed so that I can be decent with both. I didn't know better when I picked up the rifle so that was easier for me. But, like I said practice is key! Good luck and it will get easier.
I am left eye dominate and right handed as well. I didn't even know it was an issue until I started playing with pistols. It is just a matter of learning how to shoot that way, so practice is key. I still struggle with the pistol so I shoot both left and right handed so that I can be decent with both. I didn't know better when I picked up the rifle so that was easier for me. But, like I said practice is key! Good luck and it will get easier.
Re: shooting with two eyes
As Lisa said, it's a matter of practice.
Eye dominance doesn't matter much with a rifle, because the checkrest determines which eye is looking through the scope.
Having both eyes open prevents eye fatigue. I learned that after spending hours per day behind a spotting scope. Having both eyes open and being able to switch eyes makes doing that much easier - and you can still use your peripheral vision to know what's going on around you.
With a pistol, it doesn't matter which eye you use - if the sights are lined up on the target, that's where the bullet is going to go.
Larry Vickers, who has won national action pistol championships, is left-eye dominant but right-handed. He lines the sights up with his left eye - which doesn't seem to have impaired his shooting very greatly.
As Lisa said, it's a matter of practice.
Eye dominance doesn't matter much with a rifle, because the checkrest determines which eye is looking through the scope.
Having both eyes open prevents eye fatigue. I learned that after spending hours per day behind a spotting scope. Having both eyes open and being able to switch eyes makes doing that much easier - and you can still use your peripheral vision to know what's going on around you.
With a pistol, it doesn't matter which eye you use - if the sights are lined up on the target, that's where the bullet is going to go.
Larry Vickers, who has won national action pistol championships, is left-eye dominant but right-handed. He lines the sights up with his left eye - which doesn't seem to have impaired his shooting very greatly.
Re: shooting with two eyes
I have the exact same issue - left eye dominant and didn't ever think about it until I picked up a rifle and it just seemed very natural with it on my left side. When I shoot pistol I shoot with both eyes open but you will quickly see that your left eye has taken over with the sighting process.
It does come in handy when shooting pistol and carbine courses as I keep my carbine on my left side and pistol on my right hip. I can drop the carbine on my side with a sling and grab my pistol pretty quickly.
I have the exact same issue - left eye dominant and didn't ever think about it until I picked up a rifle and it just seemed very natural with it on my left side. When I shoot pistol I shoot with both eyes open but you will quickly see that your left eye has taken over with the sighting process.
It does come in handy when shooting pistol and carbine courses as I keep my carbine on my left side and pistol on my right hip. I can drop the carbine on my side with a sling and grab my pistol pretty quickly.
Re: shooting with two eyes
If you are left-eye dominant, but right handed, you can shoot well right-handed with a pistol using an Isosceles stance by locking-out both arms and resting your right cheek on your right bicep. Your left eye should then line-up correctly with the front sight.
If you are left-eye dominant, but right handed, you can shoot well right-handed with a pistol using an Isosceles stance by locking-out both arms and resting your right cheek on your right bicep. Your left eye should then line-up correctly with the front sight.
Re: shooting with two eyes
yep i shoot uspsa comps with pistols and the left eye dominance isnt really an issue because i can get a nice cheek weld on my own arm so natutal POA is better because once i get that weld im already looking down the sights. it helps in rapid fire shots at close range where you just point and shoot. aswell as general sight picture aquisition being faster.
but with rifles you have no choice what eye you use. it all depends on what hand you pull the trigger with. but if you guys say its no big deal then so it isnt.
yep i shoot uspsa comps with pistols and the left eye dominance isnt really an issue because i can get a nice cheek weld on my own arm so natutal POA is better because once i get that weld im already looking down the sights. it helps in rapid fire shots at close range where you just point and shoot. aswell as general sight picture aquisition being faster.
but with rifles you have no choice what eye you use. it all depends on what hand you pull the trigger with. but if you guys say its no big deal then so it isnt.
Re: shooting with two eyes
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kentactic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im left eye dominant and im right handed. does this mean i wont be able to shoot with both eyes open?.. my left eye will be running the show but my right eye is looking down the scope.
kenny</div></div>
I'm also LED/RH. It took a little time for my pea-sized brain to figure out what it was looking at but after working at it for a while I don't have any trouble sighting through a scope with both eyes open. Shotguns are another story altogether. I use a red dot on my zombie gun but can't shoot trap & skeet right-handed with both eyes open to save my life.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kentactic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im left eye dominant and im right handed. does this mean i wont be able to shoot with both eyes open?.. my left eye will be running the show but my right eye is looking down the scope.
kenny</div></div>
I'm also LED/RH. It took a little time for my pea-sized brain to figure out what it was looking at but after working at it for a while I don't have any trouble sighting through a scope with both eyes open. Shotguns are another story altogether. I use a red dot on my zombie gun but can't shoot trap & skeet right-handed with both eyes open to save my life.
Re: shooting with two eyes
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fusiachi</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kentactic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im left eye dominant and im right handed. does this mean i wont be able to shoot with both eyes open?.. my left eye will be running the show but my right eye is looking down the scope.
kenny</div></div>
I'm also LED/RH. It took a little time for my pea-sized brain to figure out what it was looking at but after working at it for a while I don't have any trouble sighting through a scope with both eyes open. Shotguns are another story altogether. I use a red dot on my zombie gun but can't shoot trap & skeet right-handed with both eyes open to save my life. </div></div>
yea about a year ago i went shooting with a friend whos been shooting trap and hunting birds for over 30 years and he revealed to me that he shoots with both eyes open(explains why he sucks with pistols) but i couldnt beleive him at first.. he is RED/LH and i was like wtf...
but anyways ill give it a whirl...
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fusiachi</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kentactic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im left eye dominant and im right handed. does this mean i wont be able to shoot with both eyes open?.. my left eye will be running the show but my right eye is looking down the scope.
kenny</div></div>
I'm also LED/RH. It took a little time for my pea-sized brain to figure out what it was looking at but after working at it for a while I don't have any trouble sighting through a scope with both eyes open. Shotguns are another story altogether. I use a red dot on my zombie gun but can't shoot trap & skeet right-handed with both eyes open to save my life. </div></div>
yea about a year ago i went shooting with a friend whos been shooting trap and hunting birds for over 30 years and he revealed to me that he shoots with both eyes open(explains why he sucks with pistols) but i couldnt beleive him at first.. he is RED/LH and i was like wtf...
but anyways ill give it a whirl...
Re: shooting with two eyes
i'd suggest using a scoped .22lr rifle to ecomonomically practice and perfect your technique.
i'm right eye dominant but shoot rifle leftie (which is weird as i shoot pistol rightie).
i've always used to shoot with my right eye closed with the rifle, but have been working with the .22 to have both open with success.
antother tip, especially in the beginning, is to focus more on the reticle that the target (sort of like the front sight on a pistol) when both eyes are open. for me it seemed to help until i can more control the dominance thing.
i'd suggest using a scoped .22lr rifle to ecomonomically practice and perfect your technique.
i'm right eye dominant but shoot rifle leftie (which is weird as i shoot pistol rightie).
i've always used to shoot with my right eye closed with the rifle, but have been working with the .22 to have both open with success.
antother tip, especially in the beginning, is to focus more on the reticle that the target (sort of like the front sight on a pistol) when both eyes are open. for me it seemed to help until i can more control the dominance thing.
Re: shooting with two eyes
I agree that both eyes open prevents eye fatigue. When looking thru the scope, the eye used will dominate. Pistol shooting I always teach to shoot with both eyes open. As long a you dont utilize some intense position, your dom eye will prevail. Because gunfights involving pistols usually take place in a close range area, if you shut one eye, you have now cut your field of vision by 50%. Which means you better hope an adversary doesnt show up on your closed eye side!
I agree that both eyes open prevents eye fatigue. When looking thru the scope, the eye used will dominate. Pistol shooting I always teach to shoot with both eyes open. As long a you dont utilize some intense position, your dom eye will prevail. Because gunfights involving pistols usually take place in a close range area, if you shut one eye, you have now cut your field of vision by 50%. Which means you better hope an adversary doesnt show up on your closed eye side!
Re: shooting with two eyes
I have to use my left eye only for pistol, LH or RH.
I use a scope for rifle and haven't figured the best way for skeet. Left eye is far-sighted, right is near and fuzzy, plus a parallax problem. I don't wear glasses when shooting, couldn't find them in a hurry in a SD situation. Working on both eyes closed (dry-fire-aiming only) for pistol for intuitive aiming.
Ideas would be appreciated.
I have to use my left eye only for pistol, LH or RH.
I use a scope for rifle and haven't figured the best way for skeet. Left eye is far-sighted, right is near and fuzzy, plus a parallax problem. I don't wear glasses when shooting, couldn't find them in a hurry in a SD situation. Working on both eyes closed (dry-fire-aiming only) for pistol for intuitive aiming.
Ideas would be appreciated.
Re: shooting with two eyes
i use a "both eye closed, riki bobby, jedi ninja mystic, men stare at goats"ish technique developed over centuries of cosmic dna enlightenment magic and like confuse-us say," see with mind not eyes."
i use a "both eye closed, riki bobby, jedi ninja mystic, men stare at goats"ish technique developed over centuries of cosmic dna enlightenment magic and like confuse-us say," see with mind not eyes."
Re: shooting with two eyes
I shoot with both eyes open regardless of whether I am shooting a rifle or pistol. With a scoped rifle, the eye behind the scope takes over without my doing anything about it. With a pistol, the eye behind the sights does the same (I shoot both right and left handed, using my dominant eye to aim in both cases). Shooting with the opposite hand from the dominant eye simply requires a slightly different head tilt. Keeping both eyes open allows me to keep my peripheral vision, which, in pistol confrontation, is highly needed. As Misguided brought up, otherwise you better hope your opponent knows in advance to come to your dominant side.
I shoot with both eyes open regardless of whether I am shooting a rifle or pistol. With a scoped rifle, the eye behind the scope takes over without my doing anything about it. With a pistol, the eye behind the sights does the same (I shoot both right and left handed, using my dominant eye to aim in both cases). Shooting with the opposite hand from the dominant eye simply requires a slightly different head tilt. Keeping both eyes open allows me to keep my peripheral vision, which, in pistol confrontation, is highly needed. As Misguided brought up, otherwise you better hope your opponent knows in advance to come to your dominant side.
Re: shooting with two eyes
i totally forgot about this thread...
after a good amount of shooting i started out shooting two eyes open but the dominant eye really screwed up my sight picture through the scope. just an update im right handed left eye dominant.
i could actually see the reticle moving in my vision as my eyes fought over what they saw.
so i abandoned the two eyes open shooting and now shoot with my dominant eye closed. to keep from wearing my eye out i only close it at the last moment to make sure i am seeing what im suppose to and my dominant eye isnt moving the reticle around.
thoughts?
i totally forgot about this thread...
after a good amount of shooting i started out shooting two eyes open but the dominant eye really screwed up my sight picture through the scope. just an update im right handed left eye dominant.
i could actually see the reticle moving in my vision as my eyes fought over what they saw.
so i abandoned the two eyes open shooting and now shoot with my dominant eye closed. to keep from wearing my eye out i only close it at the last moment to make sure i am seeing what im suppose to and my dominant eye isnt moving the reticle around.
thoughts?
Re: shooting with two eyes
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VAJayJayPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm pretty unconventional, I shoot with only my brown eye open </div></div>
you should pucker up then
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VAJayJayPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm pretty unconventional, I shoot with only my brown eye open </div></div>
you should pucker up then
Re: shooting with two eyes
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VAJayJayPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm pretty unconventional, I shoot with only my brown eye open </div></div>
you must have alot of experience with your brown eye to be able to acheive this.
and thanks for posting. i learned alot.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VAJayJayPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm pretty unconventional, I shoot with only my brown eye open </div></div>
you must have alot of experience with your brown eye to be able to acheive this.
and thanks for posting. i learned alot.
Re: shooting with two eyes
cant shoot with brown eye open jayjay cuz the sidearm will slip out and might negligent dischardge so again...all eyes closed is preferred awesome sauce. 1000's of sandinistas cant be wrong.
cant shoot with brown eye open jayjay cuz the sidearm will slip out and might negligent dischardge so again...all eyes closed is preferred awesome sauce. 1000's of sandinistas cant be wrong.
Re: shooting with two eyes
+1 on the practice. I too am LED/RH. The more time you spend with both eyes open aiming through a scope with your right eye, the more naturally your right eye will take the lead. I found that making sure I have a consistently solid cheek weld and don't lose sight picture also helps. If I lose sight picture, my left eye takes over.
You can literally rewire your brain by spending enough time practicing. Not to the point of being right eye dominant, but good enough for shooting both eyes open through an optic.
With a shotgun on quail, I'm basically worthless. By the time my eyes stop fighting they're long gone or it's a solid miss. The few quail I get tend to have died from heart failure.
With a pistol, the CAR system works great if you are cross dominant. You shoot both eyes open but with your right hand you use your left eye on the sights. With your left hand you use your right eye on the sights. Sounds odd, but it works. Again.....practice!
+1 on the practice. I too am LED/RH. The more time you spend with both eyes open aiming through a scope with your right eye, the more naturally your right eye will take the lead. I found that making sure I have a consistently solid cheek weld and don't lose sight picture also helps. If I lose sight picture, my left eye takes over.
You can literally rewire your brain by spending enough time practicing. Not to the point of being right eye dominant, but good enough for shooting both eyes open through an optic.
With a shotgun on quail, I'm basically worthless. By the time my eyes stop fighting they're long gone or it's a solid miss. The few quail I get tend to have died from heart failure.
With a pistol, the CAR system works great if you are cross dominant. You shoot both eyes open but with your right hand you use your left eye on the sights. With your left hand you use your right eye on the sights. Sounds odd, but it works. Again.....practice!
Re: shooting with two eyes
Left eyed, ambi. here. When I was in my late teens I was told that I needed to choose, so I went left/left. I've found that left handed bolt actions are annoyingly hard to get and have limited accessory options, but that's what I use. Similarly ambi. controls on any weapon is a must for me and usually cuts down on the factory weapons I can choose from. I like Sigs and M&Ps. Next I'm thinking about one of the new SCARs, ACRs, etc. They have more ambi controls. I've found that brass in front of my eyes isn't really annoying as you focus through it.
Both eyes open is newer to me, but it's getting easier and makes sense. You do get used to it.
Left eyed, ambi. here. When I was in my late teens I was told that I needed to choose, so I went left/left. I've found that left handed bolt actions are annoyingly hard to get and have limited accessory options, but that's what I use. Similarly ambi. controls on any weapon is a must for me and usually cuts down on the factory weapons I can choose from. I like Sigs and M&Ps. Next I'm thinking about one of the new SCARs, ACRs, etc. They have more ambi controls. I've found that brass in front of my eyes isn't really annoying as you focus through it.
Both eyes open is newer to me, but it's getting easier and makes sense. You do get used to it.
Re: shooting with two eyes
Looks like there are a good number of individuals in my boat as well. Left eye dominant and right handed. I've always learned shooting both eyes open. I actually found out after skeet shooting (some of the first times ever firing a weapon) that my sights were always off for me and that I kept hitting the same distance off the target. After doing the eye dominance test I started having to learn how to shoulder and fire leftie with both eyes open, made a killer difference.
When under stress your dominant eye takes over for the most part (more info goes to brain and all kinds of biology stuff), so I wouldn't necessarily practice closing your dominant eye. Under stress, you might not remember, and it won't be first instinct.
I shoot pistol, open sight rifle, and shotgun with both eyes open always. It takes a while to change over, but in the end you'll be quicker and more accurate.
Looks like there are a good number of individuals in my boat as well. Left eye dominant and right handed. I've always learned shooting both eyes open. I actually found out after skeet shooting (some of the first times ever firing a weapon) that my sights were always off for me and that I kept hitting the same distance off the target. After doing the eye dominance test I started having to learn how to shoulder and fire leftie with both eyes open, made a killer difference.
When under stress your dominant eye takes over for the most part (more info goes to brain and all kinds of biology stuff), so I wouldn't necessarily practice closing your dominant eye. Under stress, you might not remember, and it won't be first instinct.
I shoot pistol, open sight rifle, and shotgun with both eyes open always. It takes a while to change over, but in the end you'll be quicker and more accurate.
Re: shooting with two eyes
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Photon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Looks like there are a good number of individuals in my boat as well. Left eye dominant and right handed. I've always learned shooting both eyes open. I actually found out after skeet shooting (some of the first times ever firing a weapon) that my sights were always off for me and that I kept hitting the same distance off the target. After doing the eye dominance test I started having to learn how to shoulder and fire leftie with both eyes open, made a killer difference.
When under stress your dominant eye takes over for the most part (more info goes to brain and all kinds of biology stuff), so I wouldn't necessarily practice closing your dominant eye. Under stress, you might not remember, and it won't be first instinct.
I shoot pistol, open sight rifle, and shotgun with both eyes open always. It takes a while to change over, but in the end you'll be quicker and more accurate. </div></div>
well for me my natural tendancy is to close my dominant eye when shooting rifles. i have to make myself open my dominant eye and try to get my right eye to take over. its a constsnt battle. my point i guess is i think for me that under stress closing my dominant eye happens naturally with rifles. i also attempted to shoot pistol with both eyes open but got poor results. my natural thing there is to shoot with my cheek in my shoulder to line up my dominant eye. to open both eyes now makes no sense.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Photon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Looks like there are a good number of individuals in my boat as well. Left eye dominant and right handed. I've always learned shooting both eyes open. I actually found out after skeet shooting (some of the first times ever firing a weapon) that my sights were always off for me and that I kept hitting the same distance off the target. After doing the eye dominance test I started having to learn how to shoulder and fire leftie with both eyes open, made a killer difference.
When under stress your dominant eye takes over for the most part (more info goes to brain and all kinds of biology stuff), so I wouldn't necessarily practice closing your dominant eye. Under stress, you might not remember, and it won't be first instinct.
I shoot pistol, open sight rifle, and shotgun with both eyes open always. It takes a while to change over, but in the end you'll be quicker and more accurate. </div></div>
well for me my natural tendancy is to close my dominant eye when shooting rifles. i have to make myself open my dominant eye and try to get my right eye to take over. its a constsnt battle. my point i guess is i think for me that under stress closing my dominant eye happens naturally with rifles. i also attempted to shoot pistol with both eyes open but got poor results. my natural thing there is to shoot with my cheek in my shoulder to line up my dominant eye. to open both eyes now makes no sense.
