Training: Two eyes, Front sight...

[DreQo]

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Ok, focus on the front sight..blurry target, blurry rear sight. That's what everyone says, and for good reason: it works!

A lot of people also say shoot with both eyes open. Makes sense, too.

Here's my problem. I just can't put the two together. If I close one eye and focus on the front sight, I am a VERY accurate shot. If I open the other eye, though, everything goes down hill. Either I focus on the target and tend to shoot a ring around the center of the target (more low and left than anything, actually), or I focus on the front sight and see two blurry targets. Now I know that the "real" target will be the one on the right, since I'm using my right eye. That doesn't make it any easier, though. It gets even worse when I consider shooting a moving target. I just can't track a moving target while it's blurry and doubled!

So whats the solution here? Is there one? As of late I've just been closing one eye for distance, accurate shots. For close up "combat" drills, firing while moving, etc., I keep both eyes open and look at my target. I hit what I want to most of the time that way.

Advice?

 

[eye95]

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You say that closing one eye works for you. Opening both does not. Many very successful batters use techniques that drive batting coaches nuts. But, it works for them.

Close one eye.

 

[CraigC178]

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It sounds like an eye dominance issue. Make a gun with your pointer and thumb and "aim" at something nearby with both eyes open. Close your left eye, does the image "shift"? Do the same thing, but close your right eye. If you close your left eye and the image remains the same than you're right eye dominant.

There are a couple of ways to deal with cross dominance...

The worst thing that you can do is conditioning yourself to shooting with an eye closed. You loose your depth perception and limit your field of vision. Both are vital in a defensive situation.

The best, but often most difficult for seasoned shooters is to switch hands. If you cannot or will not learn to shoot left handed than you need to train yourself to focus with your right eye.

I've only had to work with one guy in the army that was cross dominant and would be happy to share a few things that worked to improve his shooting if you want. There is also a ton of info on the web, just google "cross dominance" and "left eye dominant shooting". I had never needed to correct the problem before and the best that his drill sergeants had come up with was to have him rock a pirate patch at the range. I learned quite a bit from the webernet while trying to help him.

 

[Uber_Olafsun]

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Practice practice practice

I have tried both eyes and hit ok on the target but with one eye I can hit quicker and with more accuracy. The wife can do both eyes great and has more problems with one eye. We usually practice at 7 meters with a 12" target and at least they all usually hit. I would prefer accuracy if I wasn't sure what was behind the target if the need ever came up.

 

[DreQo]

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I'm definitely right eye dominant, as far as aiming goes. Both images are equally clear, though, which doesn't help. I've heard a lot of people describe their "submissive" eye image as being less clear, less noticeable, or almost see-through. I don't have that problem...er, benefit. I'm not sure which it is.

I guess it just seems impossible for me to quickly and accurately engage an active, movingtarget, or multiple targets with both eyes open. It's equally impossible for me to "manage" multiple targets, and remain aware of my surroundings, while shooting with one eye closed. If I take a second to focus, it can happen, but when I'm doing an IPSC stage, I promise you I don't even remember SEEING my sights, let alone focusing solely on the front sight. I've also noticed a definite delay with my first shot if I take the time to close an eye and focus on the front sight.

Granted, any of my IPSC targets always have good, if not great first shots. It's the 2nd shot that's not consistent. Sometimes I put 'em both through one hole. Sometimes I completely miss the second time. Of course that's a completely different issue, but I wonder if my inconsistency with my aiming technique is effecting my double-tap accuracy.

Anyway so that's my issue. Both eyes open is either slow because I have to focus on the front sight, "find" the correct target picture, and focus back out to assess other targets. If I forgo the front sight focusing, I loose "pin point" accuracy, and dance around the center area of the target.

One eye closed is pin point accurate, but it delays my first shot, and greatly reduces my situational awareness.

Is this something that can be fixed with a specific practice technique? Or do I need to just succumb to my eye's tendencies and work on being more accurate while focusing on the target in "tactical" scenarios?

 

[eye95]

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It's probably a visual processing problem. When focusing on a single point, your mind has trouble processing and merging the two images. No big deal.

Just do what works.

 

[open4years]

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Everyone has a dominant eye. I'm guessing it is your left. Here is a way to find out: With both eyes open hold up an index finger and put your finger directly 'over' an object some distance away. ( It is more effective if the object is at least 6 feet away.). Keep your index finger still, over the object. Now close one eye and see if your finger is still on the object. Open that eye, then close the other.

In one eye, your finger will not be on the object and with the other eye, your index finger will be covering the object as it looked with both eyes open. Whichever eye that has your finger over the object will be your dominant eye.

My dominant eye is my left but I'm right handed, so I have to close my left eye, when I shoot, to force my non-dominant eye into the dominant eye.

That is supposed to make a great baseball batter!

 

[DreQo]

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Yeah, that's what Craig said. I'm definitely right eye dominant. I just feel like I lose all sense of whats going on around me when I focus on the front sight with both eyes open. So much so that I even lose sense of my target.

I may indeed just have to "do what works" and just be consistent with it.

 

[MarlboroLts5150]

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I don't have to worry about it, I have a lazy-eye, left eye. :shock:Its about 10 degrees off to my left when my right is straight ahead. 20-20 in both eyes, :what:20-17 up close. But they still work together. I have great periferal vision to my left. I am right eye dominant. :dude:

 

[CraigC178]

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If its not an eye dominance issue I'd recommend a visit to an optometrist. My gut is telling me that you're far sided.

 

[DreQo]

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CraigC178 wrote:

If its not an eye dominance issue I'd recommend a visit to an optometrist. My gut is telling me that you're far sided.

I'll admit that I haven't seen an optometrist in over a year, but during my last visit I had 20/15 vision. I had laser eye surgery a few years ago while I was in the Corps.

Even before then, while I was wearing contacts or glasses, I had the same issue. I just never tried very hard. It doesn't take much to get an Expert badge in the Corps . Now I'm just more focused because I want to improve for the sake of improving. It's harder than I thought!!

 

[Task Force 16]

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Try this.

Instead of focusing on your front sight, focus on the target with both eyes. Look over the top of your pistol. You should see two images of your pistol in your hand. If your right eye dominent, the pistol on the left should be pointed right at your target with the one on the right appearing to be pointed to the right of the target. You can check this by using just one eye and then the other to be sure.

This is how it looks to me anyway, when I practice "point and shoot." I seldom miss a 9 inch paper plate at30 ft. using this method. It may not be good enough accuracy wise for competitive shooting, but for defensive shooting use it should put rounds COM every time.

 

[DreQo]

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Task Force 16 wrote:

Try this.

Instead of focusing on your front sight, focus on the target with both eyes. Look over the top of your pistol. You should see two images of your pistol in your hand. If your right eye dominent, the pistol on the left should be pointed right at your target with the one on the right appearing to be pointed to the right of the target. You can check this by using just one eye and then the other to be sure.

This is how it looks to me anyway, when I practice "point and shoot." I seldom miss a 9 inch paper plate at 30 ft. using this method. It may not be good enough accuracy wise for competitive shooting, but for defensive shooting use it should put rounds COM every time.

That's exactly what I do during anything but target shooting. I can't hit a dime sized target that way, but I sure can hit a body sized target.

 

[GLOCK21GB]

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I can shoot, right eye open left closed, left open right closed, both open...left handed or right handed > the same way. Strange but true.

 

[eye95]

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You can shoot.

But, can you hit anything?

 

[DreQo]

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eye95 wrote:

You can shoot.

But, can you hit anything?

Lol! I was about to say! I can shoot with both eyes closed if I really want to!

 

[UtahJarhead]

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The Marines have far better marksmanship than any branch of the military (excluding special forces). People that are recruits, not yet Marines, can successfully engage human sized targets at 500 yards using just iron sights. The Primary Marksmanship Instructors (PMIs) are the best you'll find. The techniques the OP is describing are EXACTLY what they teach. Clear front sight post, blurry target, blurry rear sight aperture. Center the front sight post on the target and in the aperture and slow, steady squeeze to the rear. If your windage is correct, you will hit your target.

You're learning and if using a single eye helps you out, then do it.

My only advice is NEVER use Kentucky windage if you can help it. If your shots are consistently off, adjust your sights, not your aim!

 

[GLOCK21GB]

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DreQo wrote:

eye95 wrote:

You can shoot.

But, can you hit anything?

Lol! I was about to say! I can shoot with both eyes closed if I really want to!

HA HA HA HA HA LOL....:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

 

[Neeslycrunch]

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Thanks for all the advice. I'm not the original poster, but I did some shooting today taking the advice I read on here earlier today into account. I noticed an immediate improvement.
I'm not new to guns, but I'm fairly new to pistols. Grew up with shotguns and rifles, but Dad never let us use his pistols.
I'm practicing, getting advice, and getting better.

 

[Two Hands]

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You will fight like you train. If you are combat effective (sounds like you are)the way you are training now, then that's all that matters for self defense.