Hotchkiss Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 For those of you that shoot any sort of action shooting -- Steel Challenge, USPSA, IDPA, SASS, ICORE, etc. do you typically shooting with both eyes open or one closed? Do you use iron sights, dots or optics? Have you noticed a difference? Does it differ between long guns and handguns for you? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan1985 Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 I can only speak for me personally, but with both my irons and RMR pistols I shoot with both eyes open. I feel like I have a better sight picture and can track targets faster. I also shoot my carbines with red dots the same way. When I shoot long range with magnified optics I shoot with one closed. Full disclosure I don't shoot long range competitively, just target shooting and hunting, so take that with a grain of salt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 For "fast shooting" (action matches), I shoot with BOTH eyes open ... I shoot both iron sights and dot ... For slow precision shooting, I may close my left eye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenBreeg Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 I am all over the place. I am right-handed cross dominant. When I shot trap I shot righty and used the Magic Dot (tape works as well) which is set up to block your dom eye from seeing the barrel/bead but both eyes can see the target. Rifles I just close my left eye with iron sights or magnified scope, two eyes with red dots. Pistols I shoot with my left eye, both open. I am fairly new to serious pistol shooting but two eyes open seems easiest to me, although there are shooters who shoot well with one eye closed or tape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alucardus Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Both eyes should definitely be open, you want to have your site picture but be able to plan where to go next while engaging your current target. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwayne Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 Both eyes open---it was a struggle at first (being left eye dominant and right handed)----had to have my contacts adjusted to block front sight out form left eye (made stronger)----works great-forces right eye to take over and improves distance sight picture!!! I do use a fiber optic front sight as these old eyes will be 60 in a couple of weeks!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uewpew Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 (edited) Irons or dots, long gun or handgun, I shoot with both eyes open. Growing up i was taught to close the non-dominant eye, so it took quite a bit of practice to learn how to shoot with both eyes open. Long range shooting i still close my non-dominant eye. Edited September 18, 2016 by uewpew grammar check... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGoodwin Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Also learned to close my left eye as a kid. It took a while to keep both eyes open when transitioning to handgun and tactical carbine, but the practice is worth the gains in situational awareness! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTH Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 When I shoot my shotgun it's always both eyes open, slow fire pistol I close one eye, action pistol I keep both open. It was hard for me to learn both open with a pistol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejez Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 i shoot with one eye closed. ive tried a few time for both open and it just doesnt work for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeyxbat Posted October 10, 2016 Share Posted October 10, 2016 New shooter here and also cross dominant. Getting use on shooting with both eyes open with pistol. With rifle, i shoot with closed left eye. I am doing it right? Any good advice shooting with rifle? Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceMan Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 Lately it seems like ive been shooting with both eyes closed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodyAxon Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 The better I've gotten at shooting more target focused, the easier it is to shoot both eyes open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txolds442 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 To echo everyone else's sentiment, both eyes open for pistol and carbine. It may seem difficult at first, but practice dry firing, target acquisition and transitions at home and you'll find yourself picking it up fairly quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joerenew Posted December 2, 2016 Share Posted December 2, 2016 I have been a long time 1 eye guy but since picking up a red dot for my glock I have been trying to keep both eyes open on all guns. It is hard at first but it is definitely an advantage when you learn to keep both eyes open Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inkballedtarget Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 I run irions, and shoot both eyes open. Targets at a further distance, I think i give my non dominant eye a slight squint to make sure my dominant eye is 100% in control. If that makes any sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Phil Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 Red dots on race guns, laser grips on carry guns. Both eyes open. And if I had three the other would be open too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huafist Posted December 18, 2016 Share Posted December 18, 2016 I've shot for a long time with one eye closed ; but I try to work on keeping both eyes open, especially on pistol strings. I'm finding that the more I work at it, the easier it is and the more accurate my shot placement is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlspeed Posted December 18, 2016 Share Posted December 18, 2016 You're going to be faster shooting both eyes open. Depending on how often you train doing that, is going to determine if it's advantageous to do so in a match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbo723 Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Quote Here's a tip I give to new shooters that come to the range I work at. I tell them that I also started shooting with my dominant eye closed when I first started shooting as a kid and it stuck with me till I got into competition shooting and using RDS' on rifles. What helped me during range sessions was to acquire the target/bullseye like I normally would with one eye closed and then I would open up my non dominant eye to get the sight picture I needed with both eyes open. Did that for a few range sessions and slowly brought speed into the mix. After a few months, it became second nature to pick up the front sight with my dominant eye with both eyes open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Expflier Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 I shoot both eyes open can't imagine any other way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPI Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 One eye here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAustin316 Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 Both eyes open. It took a while to get used to, had to do the scotch Tape trick over one side of the glasses to get comfortable with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WYgunner Posted March 23, 2017 Share Posted March 23, 2017 This has been a painful subject for me. While I really would like to shoot with both eyes open, it seems like with my contacts, it isn't possible because the sight clarity is absolutely horrible. Unfortunately, I have a pretty bad prescription so there isn't a whole lot of options. I am considering getting lasik next year and readdressing the subject. If you can do it, use both eyes. The biggest detriment to shooting with one eye is that your transitions will be much slower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven785 Posted March 23, 2017 Share Posted March 23, 2017 Both eyes open for everything. I am right handed left eye dominant. I shoot handguns right handed with left eye and long guns left side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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