Shooting with both eyes open

[MoJoeWrkn]

I haven't been shooting pistols for long but I have always shot with one eye closed and focused on the front sight. Well I am not happy with my shot grouping and was searching on how to improve my aim, especially for combat aiming and a lot of what I read says to shoot with both eyes open. I say another article that said if you shoot with both eyes open to focus on the target and not the front sight. Any of you that shoot with both eyes open, what do you focus on(front sight or target)?

[jason237m]

I'll assume you are right handed; you will need to figure out which eye is your dominant eye. There are many ways to figure out which eye is dominant (Google can tell you better than I could).

Assuming you are same side dominant hand and eye. It really is just a matter of practice there will be no better training tool than rounds down range. That said, this may be a case where airsoft practice could get you used to shooting with both eyes open for a bit less money, and it could make your actual range time a bit more valuable. If you are truly cross dominant you may want to seek out some additional professional instruction because it gets much tougher.

As far as focus, it depends on the type of shooting. If you are going from draw to a very close range target, then focus on the target. Pretty much in all other cases; focus on your front sight.

[MoJoeWrkn]

Unfortunatly, I am right handed but left eye dominant. I have joined the IDPA after shooting a match there last weekend. I am trying to get better, my aim was terrible last week. So I should aim differently at different target distances? Any estimation of how far the taget should be before I change? I am not sure I like the idea of having 2 different aiming styles, in a real world situation I don't want any hesitation before I shoot because I am having to think about which way to aim.

[old farmer]

Unfortunatly, I am right handed but left eye dominant. I have joined the IDPA after shooting a match there last weekend. I am trying to get better, my aim was terrible last week. So I should aim differently at different target distances? Any estimation of how far the taget should be before I change? I am not sure I like the idea of having 2 different aiming styles, in a real world situation I don't want any hesitation before I shoot because I am having to think about which way to aim.

I am left handed and left eye dominant living a right dominantworld. I have learned toshot with both hands and eyes. I am better with left side. Living a right world , design is for right hand shooting. Drive a car rt hand, equipment rt side, ...... Laser lights are helpful with training. Eye movement with target acquisition is key. What you see(acquisition) , what you shoot (eye and muscle training)...The problem is time if it is to long you are dead. More you ride a bike less you think. Just my 2 cents.

[cbunt1]

The experts will tell you to "Focus on the front sight."

For every serious combat shooter, there's an epiphany moment when we finally "get it"..."That's what they mean by focus on the front sight." I know it sounds like a wise-guy answer, but there's no other way to describe it. The epiphany comes when the mind and body are trained to the point that the proper combination can "happen." There's only one way to get there, and that's through dry-fire and live fire practice, and experimenting with various techniques.

The same experts will tell you to "See the target."

They're right about that too. For me (this is just me, and I am NOT a great combat/IDPA shooter, but I play the game, and work on it constantly) it's a hard focus on the front sight, while looking "through" it at the target. What I need to see is where the sight is when the shot breaks...specifically I need to see the sight lift, because once it lifts, I can switch focus to the next target, and bring the front sight to the new focal point. This happens whether I'm putting a second shot in the same location, or on a different target (for *ME* the thought process of a "double-tap" doesn't work...but a rapid "controlled pair" does.)

One way to work toward the goal is to shoot into a berm, with no specific target. What you're doing here is getting the "feel" and "look" of the gun as it recoils and comes back to position. Work on keeping both eyes open (this isn't as easy as it sounds) and SEEING the gun's recoil process...the sight lifting, the slide moving, the brass ejecting, the sight coming BACK to where it started (It will, just give it time--"ride" the recoil, don't "control" it--again, *my* take on it). Move from slow fire to rapid fire gradually, and find your failure point (i.e. where you begin to "jerk" the trigger, or overcompensate for recoil, or flinch, or blink, or whatever). Now add a target to the mix, remembering what you just learned about both yourself and your gun. Lather, Rinse, Repeat

With training and practice, you will find the right mix of front sight and target to make it all happen. Don't get frustrated, and always remember...Amateurs train to the point of success...professionals train THROUGH success, to the point of failure, and work through it, one step at a time.

As always, I've made a short story long! Hopefully it helps. There are many ways...but no "THE" way.

[Kadelic]

Thanks for that helpful post cbhunt1. As a beginner, your suggestion of just getting a feel for the gun and watching the recoil, finding the sights again etc, and THEN aiming at a target makes sense to me. I've only put 250 rounds through my first gun on four trips to the range (including the 50 for my CHL class) and while shooting "decently" it was very measured and not as intuitive as I'd like. I look forward to applying your insights the next time I visit the range.

[Teamless]

As a beginner,

Kadelic,
What area are you in?

some on this forum, who go regularly to the ranges (and some private ranges) have taken other TexasCHLForum members to the range for instruction and help.
If you are interested in doing that, make a new post asking for range help or something, and see if anyone is in your area who is willing to help.

Many times people "know" what they are doing and don't ask for help, and those many of us do not like to go with, but to take someone who genuinely wants to learn is a great thing to be able to do.

Oh and for some of the private ranges, there are not range fees for guests, so you could save some on range costs, and put that towards ammo, and go more often possibly.
Just a thought

[MoJoeWrkn]

Thanks for that helpful post cbhunt1. As a beginner, your suggestion of just getting a feel for the gun and watching the recoil, finding the sights again etc, and THEN aiming at a target makes sense to me. I've only put 250 rounds through my first gun on four trips to the range (including the 50 for my CHL class) and while shooting "decently" it was very measured and not as intuitive as I'd like. I look forward to applying your insights the next time I visit the range.

I second that thanks, I will definitely try focusing on the gun and recoil next time I shoot. I appreciate all the responses. I think I will practice dry firing with both eyes open and see if I think it will work. I read a suggestion somewhere about putting a piece of opaque tape over glasses of the dominant left eye for practice if you are right handed and left eye dominant. Has anyone tried that techique?

[gigag04]

Your eyes can deceive you....use the force.

[bizarrenormality]

Any of you that shoot with both eyes open, what do you focus on(front sight or target)?

Front sight for precise shots but I'm working on a target focus technique closer in.

I only use the force with an elegant weapon for a more civilized age, not something as clumsy or random as a

[alvins]

im a lefty and left eye dominat.i used to close one eye but now i just do it with both open. i accually shoot better right handed aiming with my left eye.

[A-R]

Your eyes can deceive you....use the force.

[cbunt1]

Your eyes can deceive you....use the force.

Tried that tonight on some IDPA stages...I think I'll go back to practicing the techniques I described earler

Let's just say that my blaster was indeed clumsy and random....but I looked good doing it :)

[G26ster]

Let's just say that my blaster was indeed clumsy and random....but I looked good doing it :)

That's why I don't do IDPA. I'd look like a clumsy fool doing it I do note that in most of the videos I see on defensive training, everyone looks so good. I have to wonder though what would it be like if PF (pucker factor) was introduced to make it more realistic. Hard to say how it could be done. Targets that shot back would be dangerous to everyone. Maybe, instead of following with just a timer, they could add a second guy/gal with a Louisville Slugger that could swing wildly at the shooter from behind every time the shooter was not behind cover or changing mags.