Shooting w/ both eyes open...

Uncle Ben · April 30, 2008, 11:01 AM

I have seen some of you say that you shoot with both eyes open rather than only opening your dominant eye (for the sake of a better field of vision).

My question is: do you turn your head to the left (if your right eye is dominant) so that your right eye will be in line with the sight and to decrease double vision of the sights? Or do you keep your eyes both "pointing" straight forward?

I am wondering if the difficultly of focus and double vision problems with the sight will go away with practice, or if you turn your head a little.

Thanks!

Gbro · April 30, 2008, 11:44 AM

I will assume you are using the Isosceles stance,
I do not turn my head, and I always have both eyes open.
That wasn't always so, As years ago I would always close my left eye to shoot with any kind of sight, any position.
I started with both eyes open with scopes, and used to squint initially. This took time and before long I was able to keep both eyes open with any sight, any position.
What are you deliberately focusing on? Not every one correctly focuses on the front sight. Every thing else is in conflict with your focus.
Even with both eyes open the dominant eye in charge, the non dominant eye will help get you on target much faster, and provide a much greater field of view.

Juhosaphat · April 30, 2008, 11:45 AM

I've done minor training with some 00 buckshot in my 870 with open eyes. With double pistol grips on mine, it's hard not to keep both eyes open, but once I was comfortable enough with the gun, I wouldn't even have to line my eyes up with the sight. I could just point it where I wanted to go and know where the buckshot would end up. Keeping in mind that that's at HD distances of no more than 25-30 feet.

It's a much more effective way of aiming for HD and will keep both sides clear and keep you from being blindsided buy a possible burgalar or the like.

Uncle Ben · April 30, 2008, 02:10 PM

Should have mentioned that... yes, my (current) chosen stance is isosoles, but I am going to continue to experiment to see what works the best for me.

raimius · April 30, 2008, 02:23 PM

I'm barely right eye dominant, and shoot iso (newer shooter). Any tips, other than just forcing myself to practice with both eyes?

Gbro · April 30, 2008, 02:47 PM

Squinting worked for me,
As soon as you get focused in on the front sight, open the weak eye.(slowly at 1st.)
If you are new to shooting, do you know witch eye is dominant?
Its amazing how many youngsters we find that are right handed and left eye dominant. Even upon checking each one in the classroom we will find another on the range.
We do a free air rifle booth at the county fair, (MN DNR/Firearms Safety Inst.) and find many that are cross eye dominant.

Another drill easy to practice at home.

Quote:

I am going to continue to experiment to see what works the best for me.

I prefer the modified Weaver myself. I also know that the Isosceles is a better all around stance.

ECHOONE · May 8, 2008, 12:45 AM

I found if I am with my non dominate eye there is no blur!

Keltyke · May 8, 2008, 06:19 AM

I like the Weaver stance for close up and the Isoscolese for longer distances. In the Weaver, it's hard to use both eyes, so I naturally squint, using the same-side eye as the hand my gun is in. In the Isoscolese stance, I still naturally squint. Many, many, MANY years ago when I first learned to shoot, the popular stance was the "Reid and Malloy" Adam 12 shoot-from-the-belly (point the gun like a finger) low Isoscolese. Now, of course, that's the LAST resort, and should be.

Pick a stance and sighting method that works for YOU, every time.

Erik · May 8, 2008, 06:33 PM

"My question is: do you turn your head to the left (if your right eye is dominant) so that your right eye will be in line with the sight and to decrease double vision of the sights? Or do you keep your eyes both "pointing" straight forward?"

I orient toward the target, with both eyes "pointing" straight forward and my gun lined up with my dominant eye, not my center line.

Check yourself in front of a mirror. If your pistol is held on your centerline you'll have to move your head. That's not optimal and a grip shift is in order.

Erik · May 8, 2008, 09:13 PM

A relevant link:

See Lurper's below. That's about as good as explanation as I;ve seen. - Good job.

Note the photo:

http://www.blackhawk.com/product1.asp?P=98DV00BH

His gun is aligned under his eye, not on his center line. (Granted, the photo could be better but despite what my wife tells everyone, I do have better things to do than endlessly search the web.)

**Frank Ettin** · May 8, 2008, 09:28 PM

I'm fairly strongly right eye dominant and have always shot with both eyes open -- whether pistol, rifle or shotgun. With a pistol, at various times I've used an isosceles stance and at other times a Waver. And I've really never given it much thought. It just naturally works for me.

Lurper · May 9, 2008, 08:37 AM

You shouldn't have to turn your head. It is in the stance. The gun will be aligned with your dominant eye.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQgLmQl1zDw

To stop the double images, use tape on your shooting glasses like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUtqZ-xjVo4

Clear tape is best as it allows light in so that both eyes are dilated the same.

Lavid2002 · May 9, 2008, 12:03 PM

I dont get double images, but I know to keep both eyes open for depth perception. Whats the point in having the eye open if its covered by tape?

shootsafe · May 9, 2008, 01:41 PM

I used the tape method, and it helped me quickly train to both eye open shoot.

I started with a 3/8" by 3/8" peice and kept cutting it down to almost nothing.

Now, my brain has been trained to see only one image.

It works.

Shootsafe

April 30, 2008, 11:01 AM	#1
Uncle Ben Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 400	Shooting w/ both eyes open... I have seen some of you say that you shoot with both eyes open rather than only opening your dominant eye (for the sake of a better field of vision). My question is: do you turn your head to the left (if your right eye is dominant) so that your right eye will be in line with the sight and to decrease double vision of the sights? Or do you keep your eyes both "pointing" straight forward? I am wondering if the difficultly of focus and double vision problems with the sight will go away with practice, or if you turn your head a little. Thanks! __________________ Lazy + Complacent = DISARMED *FIGHT to keep your guns & join the NRA. Contact your representatives about 2A issues at www.capwiz.com/nra/dbq/officials and to be kept up to date on the current issues visit www.nraila.org

April 30, 2008, 11:44 AM	#2
Gbro Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,084	I will assume you are using the Isosceles stance, I do not turn my head, and I always have both eyes open. That wasn't always so, As years ago I would always close my left eye to shoot with any kind of sight, any position. I started with both eyes open with scopes, and used to squint initially. This took time and before long I was able to keep both eyes open with any sight, any position. What are you deliberately focusing on? Not every one correctly focuses on the front sight. Every thing else is in conflict with your focus. Even with both eyes open the dominant eye in charge, the non dominant eye will help get you on target much faster, and provide a much greater field of view. __________________ Gbro CGVS For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, But to us who are being saved, It Is The Power Of God. 1Corinthians 1-18

April 30, 2008, 11:45 AM	#3
Juhosaphat Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2008 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 174	I've done minor training with some 00 buckshot in my 870 with open eyes. With double pistol grips on mine, it's hard not to keep both eyes open, but once I was comfortable enough with the gun, I wouldn't even have to line my eyes up with the sight. I could just point it where I wanted to go and know where the buckshot would end up. Keeping in mind that that's at HD distances of no more than 25-30 feet. It's a much more effective way of aiming for HD and will keep both sides clear and keep you from being blindsided buy a possible burgalar or the like. __________________ What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. Learn from your mistakes and you shall prevail equally.

May 8, 2008, 06:33 PM	#9
Erik Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 1999 Location: America Posts: 3,479	"My question is: do you turn your head to the left (if your right eye is dominant) so that your right eye will be in line with the sight and to decrease double vision of the sights? Or do you keep your eyes both "pointing" straight forward?" I orient toward the target, with both eyes "pointing" straight forward and my gun lined up with my dominant eye, not my center line. Check yourself in front of a mirror. If your pistol is held on your centerline you'll have to move your head. That's not optimal and a grip shift is in order. __________________ Meriam Webster's: Main Entry: ci·vil·ian Pronunciation: \sə-ˈvil-yən also -ˈvi-yən\, Function: noun, Date: 14th century, 1: a specialist in Roman or modern civil law, 2 a: one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force b: outsider 1, — civilian adjective

May 8, 2008, 09:13 PM	#10
Erik Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 1999 Location: America Posts: 3,479	A relevant link: See Lurper's below. That's about as good as explanation as I;ve seen. - Good job. Note the photo: http://www.blackhawk.com/product1.asp?P=98DV00BH His gun is aligned under his eye, not on his center line. (Granted, the photo could be better but despite what my wife tells everyone, I do have better things to do than endlessly search the web.) __________________ Meriam Webster's: Main Entry: ci·vil·ian Pronunciation: \sə-ˈvil-yən also -ˈvi-yən\, Function: noun, Date: 14th century, 1: a specialist in Roman or modern civil law, 2 a: one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force b: outsider 1, — civilian adjective Last edited by Erik; May 9, 2008 at 06:59 PM. Reason: Changed link to Lurper's

April 30, 2008, 02:10 PM	#4
Uncle Ben Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 400	Should have mentioned that... yes, my (current) chosen stance is isosoles, but I am going to continue to experiment to see what works the best for me.

April 30, 2008, 02:23 PM	#5
raimius Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 2,199	I'm barely right eye dominant, and shoot iso (newer shooter). Any tips, other than just forcing myself to practice with both eyes?

May 8, 2008, 12:45 AM	#7
ECHOONE Junior member Join Date: February 10, 2008 Location: FL Posts: 204	I found if I am with my non dominate eye there is no blur!

May 8, 2008, 06:19 AM	#8
Keltyke Junior member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 2,933	I like the Weaver stance for close up and the Isoscolese for longer distances. In the Weaver, it's hard to use both eyes, so I naturally squint, using the same-side eye as the hand my gun is in. In the Isoscolese stance, I still naturally squint. Many, many, MANY years ago when I first learned to shoot, the popular stance was the "Reid and Malloy" Adam 12 shoot-from-the-belly (point the gun like a finger) low Isoscolese. Now, of course, that's the LAST resort, and should be. Pick a stance and sighting method that works for YOU, every time.

May 8, 2008, 09:28 PM	#11
Frank Ettin Staff Join Date: November 23, 2005 Location: California - San Francisco Posts: 9,471	I'm fairly strongly right eye dominant and have always shot with both eyes open -- whether pistol, rifle or shotgun. With a pistol, at various times I've used an isosceles stance and at other times a Waver. And I've really never given it much thought. It just naturally works for me.

May 9, 2008, 08:37 AM	#12
Lurper Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2006 Posts: 943	You shouldn't have to turn your head. It is in the stance. The gun will be aligned with your dominant eye. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQgLmQl1zDw To stop the double images, use tape on your shooting glasses like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUtqZ-xjVo4 Clear tape is best as it allows light in so that both eyes are dilated the same.

May 9, 2008, 12:03 PM	#13
Lavid2002 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2007 Posts: 2,568	Tape? I dont get double images, but I know to keep both eyes open for depth perception. Whats the point in having the eye open if its covered by tape? __________________ Math>Grammar

May 9, 2008, 01:41 PM	#14
shootsafe Member Join Date: March 2, 2008 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 86	Yes, tape I used the tape method, and it helped me quickly train to both eye open shoot. I started with a 3/8" by 3/8" peice and kept cutting it down to almost nothing. Now, my brain has been trained to see only one image. It works. Shootsafe