Left Eye Dominant And Right-Handed - Page 2

thesheepdog · November 9, 2010, 10:53 AM

I find that enough practice with this becomes habitual. Just like holding your breath before shooting a rifle-same concept-I actually took a day to refresh my rifle skills and noticed I didn't need to force myself to hold my breath, as it came completely natural because of much practice.

The same applies to cross dominant shooter; I have the same issue-left handed and right eye dominant-and I overcome this by just closing my right eye when shooting pistols or rifles. Works well for me.

FireForged · November 9, 2010, 05:46 PM

I had to deal with this problem for years until one day I had enough. I decided that I either had to learn to shoot primarily off handed or close one eye. No matter what all the tactical dudes say about closing one eye, I decided to do that. I shoot left handed but have a right dominant eye. I began to close the right eye and force the left eye to do its job. My shooting was leaps and bounds better the first try.

Later I discovered I could shoot at close range with both eyes open (using the right eye). It does cause a slightly head tilt/arm angled shooting style but its fine at close ranges. At longer ranges (beyond) 10yards, I would need to close the dominant eye and use a traditional shooting stance.

I do not use the cowboy looking stance.( feet spread side by side and legs slightly bent)

I use more of the weak side foot forward, strong side foot slightly back pointed at a 45deg angle away from body, leaning only slightly forward.

Jeff22 · November 12, 2010, 07:28 AM

Being cross-dominant is not a big problem in shooting, but it is hard for anyone who is NOT cross-dominant to understand, since there is no practical way to duplicate the phenomenon.

I am right handed and have a left master eye. I shoot handguns with the right hand and long guns off the right shoulder. With handguns, I use the left eye to sight with. (Out to 10 or 12 yards I have trained myself to shoot with both eyes open -- farther out than that and I have to close the weak eye.)

I use a Chapman stance (modified Weaver) that better brings the front sight of the handgun into alignment with my left master eye. I slightly shift my head to line my left eye up with the sights.

When shooting long guns, I close the left eye. This does cut down on peripheral vision to some extent, but I find it works a lot better for me than trying to shoot off the left shoulder, although I do practice bilateral shooting out to about 25 yards with both handguns and long guns because one never knows the precise nature of any situation one might find themselves in.

I do know some shooters with a cross dominant master eye who have learned to switch hands successfully.

I've taught police recruits at the local regional police academy off and on since 1988 and I have observecd that it was fairly common to have a left handed shooter who had a right master eye who also shot right handed, even though they used the left hand to write with. I suspect that circumstance forces left handed people to develop a greater degree of ambidextrous skills, simply because almost all firearms and many other implements are designed for use by right handed operators.

With my particular vision circumstance, I cannot use occluded eye gunsights with both eyes open.

I have found a number of people who cannot close a single eye independently. This condition pretty much requires that all weapons be fired using the hand/shoulder that corresponds to their dominant eye, regardless of which hand has greater dexterity.

Being cross dominant is not a big problem in most circumstances, but everybody's vision and level of physical skill varies. Experimentation will usually find the best option to select.

Terry A · November 12, 2010, 05:49 PM

Not much to add as there was lots of good info in the posts.

I do want to mention that I am legally blind in my right eye (20/200) but shoot all my handguns right handed. Using my left eye, of course. I've had no problem at all shooting fast & tight groups.

On the other hand, I shoot all my long arms left handed. And I prefer right handed models instead of left hand specific models. I just grew up shooting bolt actions by using my right hand to work the action while my left hand stayed on the grip / trigger area. I tried shooting a left handed model a few times and it was a really odd feeling!

dnr1128 · November 12, 2010, 09:30 PM

I'm the same way. When I bring the gun up from low ready to aiming, I instinctively turn my head a little to the right and line up the sights with my left eye. I don't close my right eye, but I don't focus with it. I guess I've always been this way.

November 9, 2010, 10:53 AM	#26
thesheepdog Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2010 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 1,996	I find that enough practice with this becomes habitual. Just like holding your breath before shooting a rifle-same concept-I actually took a day to refresh my rifle skills and noticed I didn't need to force myself to hold my breath, as it came completely natural because of much practice. The same applies to cross dominant shooter; I have the same issue-left handed and right eye dominant-and I overcome this by just closing my right eye when shooting pistols or rifles. Works well for me. __________________ Krav Maga/Judo Qualified Rifleman/Marksmanship Instructor/Lic. Medic "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" Romans 8:1

November 9, 2010, 05:46 PM	#27
FireForged Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 1999 Location: Rebel South USA Posts: 2,074	I had to deal with this problem for years until one day I had enough. I decided that I either had to learn to shoot primarily off handed or close one eye. No matter what all the tactical dudes say about closing one eye, I decided to do that. I shoot left handed but have a right dominant eye. I began to close the right eye and force the left eye to do its job. My shooting was leaps and bounds better the first try. Later I discovered I could shoot at close range with both eyes open (using the right eye). It does cause a slightly head tilt/arm angled shooting style but its fine at close ranges. At longer ranges (beyond) 10yards, I would need to close the dominant eye and use a traditional shooting stance. I do not use the cowboy looking stance.( feet spread side by side and legs slightly bent) I use more of the weak side foot forward, strong side foot slightly back pointed at a 45deg angle away from body, leaning only slightly forward. __________________ Life is a web woven by necessity and chance...

November 12, 2010, 07:28 AM	#28
Jeff22 Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2004 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 715	cross dominant Being cross-dominant is not a big problem in shooting, but it is hard for anyone who is NOT cross-dominant to understand, since there is no practical way to duplicate the phenomenon. I am right handed and have a left master eye. I shoot handguns with the right hand and long guns off the right shoulder. With handguns, I use the left eye to sight with. (Out to 10 or 12 yards I have trained myself to shoot with both eyes open -- farther out than that and I have to close the weak eye.) I use a Chapman stance (modified Weaver) that better brings the front sight of the handgun into alignment with my left master eye. I slightly shift my head to line my left eye up with the sights. When shooting long guns, I close the left eye. This does cut down on peripheral vision to some extent, but I find it works a lot better for me than trying to shoot off the left shoulder, although I do practice bilateral shooting out to about 25 yards with both handguns and long guns because one never knows the precise nature of any situation one might find themselves in. I do know some shooters with a cross dominant master eye who have learned to switch hands successfully. I've taught police recruits at the local regional police academy off and on since 1988 and I have observecd that it was fairly common to have a left handed shooter who had a right master eye who also shot right handed, even though they used the left hand to write with. I suspect that circumstance forces left handed people to develop a greater degree of ambidextrous skills, simply because almost all firearms and many other implements are designed for use by right handed operators. With my particular vision circumstance, I cannot use occluded eye gunsights with both eyes open. I have found a number of people who cannot close a single eye independently. This condition pretty much requires that all weapons be fired using the hand/shoulder that corresponds to their dominant eye, regardless of which hand has greater dexterity. Being cross dominant is not a big problem in most circumstances, but everybody's vision and level of physical skill varies. Experimentation will usually find the best option to select. __________________ You can only learn from experience if you pay attention!

November 12, 2010, 05:49 PM	#29
Terry A Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Location: Washington, Pa Posts: 764	Not much to add as there was lots of good info in the posts. I do want to mention that I am legally blind in my right eye (20/200) but shoot all my handguns right handed. Using my left eye, of course. I've had no problem at all shooting fast & tight groups. On the other hand, I shoot all my long arms left handed. And I prefer right handed models instead of left hand specific models. I just grew up shooting bolt actions by using my right hand to work the action while my left hand stayed on the grip / trigger area. I tried shooting a left handed model a few times and it was a really odd feeling! __________________ 2 Thes 3:16 "Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all! "

November 12, 2010, 09:30 PM	#30
dnr1128 Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2010 Posts: 166	I'm the same way. When I bring the gun up from low ready to aiming, I instinctively turn my head a little to the right and line up the sights with my left eye. I don't close my right eye, but I don't focus with it. I guess I've always been this way.