Two-eyed shooting?!

[KyleFarnham]

I have read/hear about shooting with both eyes open before, but after reading some from a book by Brian Enos I am thinking I need to try it out. Enos mentions a few reasons for preferring the two-eyed approach.
*our eyes were designed to work as a pair
*one eye shut causes the open eye to squint = tension = less visual focus
*using both eyes means being able to focus longer on targets at further distances

He mentions that he shoots with scotch tape over his left eye, because of double vision (cross-eye dominant) when he shoots with both eyes open. During my own tests here at work (using a pen lid as a front site), I did find it easier to focus on further distances using the "tape-eye-blocking" technique. Transition between targets was pretty easy as well and there was less tension and tiring in my eye.

So what do you guys do? Do you shoot your handgun with one eye shut, both eyes open, or with a piece of tap over your "weak" eye?

 

[michaelclm]

Both eyes open. Cross-dominance can get tricky and tiring (Ask me how I know ). Kurt M has spoken on this before so he, or another, may have better wisdom than I can give but the benefits of shooting with both eyes open are tremendous.

 

[jtischauser]

When I was first starting out 20 months or so ago I was handling Kurt Miller's old Glock 24. He looked at me and said you gotta shoot both eyes open for reasons similar to Enos'. He also said get your damn off hand index finger off of the front of the trigger guard. I said oh man I can't shoot both eyes open and the finger feels so natural up there. He suggest I go dry fire and it would come around. I spent a week maybe two drawing and going two eyes open with no finger on the trigger guard. I had to really work on the eyes but after doing a bunch of near to far and far to near transitions it worked. I still have to squint every now and again to force the right eye to take charge. I am a firm believer that if you aren't shooting two eyes open your losing time.

 

[Jefpainthorse]

The "tape on the glasses" will eventually wean a person into "2 eyed" shooting ... after the brain learns what it needs to know, the double image will go away and you can get rid of the tape.

 

[samuelshoun]

definitely try the tape on the glasses trick. after just a few minutes of dry firing then removing the tape, i could tell the difference.

i only shoot with an eye blocked for practice though. live fire i shoot with both open/unobstructed.

 

[KyleFarnham]

I had to really work on the eyes but after doing a bunch of near to far and far to near transitions it worked.

Is this what it sounds like? Just practice with transitioning between targets at different distances?
Can this be practiced (without a gun) elsewhere, like sitting in a doctor's waiting room? ....or boring all school assembly?

 

[jtischauser]

What i meant by transitions was looking at a target far away then snapping the gun and sights to that target. Then bring that front sight picture into focus then transitioning your eyes to a close target then snapping the gun and sights there and getting a clear front sight focused sight picture. You need to have a front and rear sight in your vision/sight picture.

Sorry that the best I can do to explain with my iPhone.

 

[michaelclm]

Is this what it sounds like? Just practice with transitioning between targets at different distances?
Can this be practiced (without a gun) elsewhere, like sitting in a doctor's waiting room? ....or boring all school assembly?

Only if you really want to be on the news! :lol:

 

[KyleFarnham]

Only if you really want to be on the news! :lol:

I did say without a gun!
...but after reading Jesse's explanation, my principal would wonder what is wrong with me as I sit there with my thumb and index finger sticking out while I work on near/far transitions!

 

[michaelclm]

I did say without a gun!
...but after reading Jesse's explanation, my principal would wonder what is wrong with me as I sit there with my thumb and index finger sticking out while I work on near/far transitions!

Like I said....

I will always be an advocate of dry fire, though. There is simply no better (or cheaper) way that I am aware of to practice the fundamentals of the draw, presentation and firing the shot. Just make sure to download all ammo (even from your mag pouches) in a different room, check clear twice and then go into the room where you'll dry fire.

 

[Chambers]

Eyes open all the time. Handgun, rifle, scope, irons, everything. Not doing so is a disadvantage.

MrFarnham, you can work on training your eyes without handling a weapon. Pick some objects up in your peripheral vision and practice transitioning your eyes there quickly. Seeklander's book has a whole chapter devoted to training the eyes which is pretty cool.

 

[benjamin-benjamin]

i can't shoot with both eyes open, but i shot alot better once i started using
http://www.glad.com/plasticwrap/press_n_seal-40

i just cut off a small piece and put it over left eye and then after i get done shooting i just peal it off... it works great..

 

[MISph1t]

I shoot with both eyes open. I'm trying to stop blinking every time the gun goes off.

 

[KyleFarnham]

MrFarnham, you can work on training your eyes without handling a weapon. Pick some objects up in your peripheral vision and practice transitioning your eyes there quickly. Seeklander's book has a whole chapter devoted to training the eyes which is pretty cool.

...and I see it comes in Kindle format too. Nice!
http://www.shooting-performance.com/page_102.html


I am going to have to give the eye training a serious try. When I tried to do this back when I started shooting (9 months ago), the double vision was throwing me off. I guess I am just gonna have to be the shifty-eyed guy in the corner with the far off stare.

Could make church service interesting on Sunday!!
"what's wrong with that guy? Does he have the Spirit in him or is he possessed?
"Nah... he's just working on his eyes open target transitions." :blink:

 

[Oldtimer]

I will have to give this some practice. My right is dominate. I normally shoot rifle left hand and pistol right. I just noticed that I use my left eye for rifle and right for pistol. I can shoot rifle right hand and I use the right eye. Will have to check this out with both eyes open when I switch shoot the next time to see how much difference there is in my scoring.

 

[jtischauser]

I will have to give this some practice. My right is dominate. I normally shoot rifle left hand and pistol right. I just noticed that I use my left eye for rifle and right for pistol. I can shoot rifle right hand and I use the right eye. Will have to check this out with both eyes open when I switch shoot the next time to see how much difference there is in my scoring.

Sounds like you may not have a dominate eye which i think from trading Kurts posts is the best of both worlds.

 

[drmitchgibson]

It doesn't take long to get both eyes working, but it does take a while to train your eyes to do it repeatedly. Every time I handle the toys, I practice it. So it's worthwhile to RUN AROUND YOUR HOUSE POINTING GUNS AT EVERYTHING. :lol: Except people, don't point 'em at those.

This reminds me of the episode where Homer gets a gun.

 

[benjamin-benjamin]

.

This reminds me of the episode where Homer gets a gun.

one of the best episodes ever

 

[imacgyver]

I'm right eye dominant, but every time I sight in the pistol, my freaking left eye takes over- and I grip with my right hand. It's frustrating. Also - by 9pm my left eye goes blurry , but fine all day and after I wake up.

 

[drmitchgibson]

I'm right eye dominant, but every time I sight in the pistol, my freaking left eye takes over- and I grip with my right hand. It's frustrating. Also - by 9pm my left eye goes blurry , but fine all day and after I wake up.

Just concentrate on the front sight. Don't worry about anything else.