Eye Dominance Question - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Western NY XD fan · 02-28-2008, 03:19 AM

Is it possible to NOT have a dominant eye and have each eye be equally dominant? I am new to shooting pistols but not new to guns. I am right handed.

The first time out at the range with my brand new XD-9 service I was shooting to the left and I was closing my left eye. I thought may be I was left eye dominant because I was shooting to the left.

Before going out the next time I did some dry fire practice and improved my trigger pull. I decided to try shooting with both eyes open. this didnt really work becasue I had a hard time seeing the sights, they kept blending into the backround and disapearing.

I then shot 4 mags, 1 right eye closed, 1 left eye closed, 1 right eye closed, 1 left eye closed and each mag had its own target. Surprisingly, all 4 targets had very good 3.5 inch groups at 10 yards.

It seems I can shoot the same with both eyes and both feel natural. I just cannot keep them both open. What do you make of this? Is this weird.

Sorry for the long post.

EME · 02-28-2008, 03:33 AM

I'm no doctor, but I guess you could be equal in both eyes. If so, then keep practicing shooting with both hands each time you go out, so you can hit the same target from any distance, any hand. I assume you know how to check dominence in the eyes, using your thumb with both eyes open, place the thumb over an item several yards away and then close one eye and see if the thumb moves left or right of the object, then try the other eye. If the thumb stays over the object then you could be left/right eye dominence. Good luck in shooting.

**philman** · 02-28-2008, 04:27 AM

I agree, it is maybe remotley possible. Have you tried a true eye dominance exercise? Your post does not really indicate you have.

Breadfan · 02-28-2008, 04:40 AM

I got myself used to shooting with both eyes open - that's more 'realistic' I guess. BTW, right is my dominant eye (and I'm right handed ofc).

**mhillsing23** · 02-28-2008, 04:54 AM

It seems there are definitely varying levels of eye dominance. In your situation I would really suggest practicing shooting with both eyes open. It is definitely weird at first, I am still trying to get used to it.

BMFOTP · 02-28-2008, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Western NY XD fan

Before going out the next time I did some dry fire practice and improved my trigger pull. I decided to try shooting with both eyes open. this didnt really work becasue I had a hard time seeing the sights, they kept blending into the backround and disapearing.

I am no shooting expert, but I will add my .02 cents. At close distance (3 - 10 yards) keeping both eyes open allows faster target sighting and the shooter to see what is going on in the surrounding area. When shooting with both eyes open focus on the front sight. The the rear sights and the target you are shooting at should be a little out of focus. The human eye can only focus in one plane at a time. So focus on the front sight and you will get some decent shot groups.

Shooting with both eyes open and focusing on the front sight takes a little effort. The rewards will be worth your effort.

02-28-2008, 03:19 AM	#1
Western NY XD fan XDTalk Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Western New York Posts: 40	Eye Dominance Question Is it possible to NOT have a dominant eye and have each eye be equally dominant? I am new to shooting pistols but not new to guns. I am right handed. The first time out at the range with my brand new XD-9 service I was shooting to the left and I was closing my left eye. I thought may be I was left eye dominant because I was shooting to the left. Before going out the next time I did some dry fire practice and improved my trigger pull. I decided to try shooting with both eyes open. this didnt really work becasue I had a hard time seeing the sights, they kept blending into the backround and disapearing. I then shot 4 mags, 1 right eye closed, 1 left eye closed, 1 right eye closed, 1 left eye closed and each mag had its own target. Surprisingly, all 4 targets had very good 3.5 inch groups at 10 yards. It seems I can shoot the same with both eyes and both feel natural. I just cannot keep them both open. What do you make of this? Is this weird. Sorry for the long post.

02-28-2008, 04:27 AM	#3
philman XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Centerville, Southern, Ohio Posts: 683	I agree, it is maybe remotley possible. Have you tried a true eye dominance exercise? Your post does not really indicate you have. __________________ ***************************** XD - 9mm Subcompact XD - 9mm Service Sig Sauer Mosquito because sometimes you just have to shoot, and shoot, and shoot, and shoot.

02-28-2008, 04:40 AM	#4
Breadfan XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Croatia Posts: 697	I got myself used to shooting with both eyes open - that's more 'realistic' I guess. BTW, right is my dominant eye (and I'm right handed ofc). __________________ Listen to the XD Song! Play my Shooter™ game!

02-28-2008, 04:54 AM	#5
mhillsing23 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,966	It seems there are definitely varying levels of eye dominance. In your situation I would really suggest practicing shooting with both eyes open. It is definitely weird at first, I am still trying to get used to it. __________________ Veritas vos liberabit... Last edited by mhillsing23 : 02-28-2008 at 04:54 AM. Reason: Spelling...

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02-28-2008, 03:33 AM	#2
EME XDTalk Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 97	I'm no doctor, but I guess you could be equal in both eyes. If so, then keep practicing shooting with both hands each time you go out, so you can hit the same target from any distance, any hand. I assume you know how to check dominence in the eyes, using your thumb with both eyes open, place the thumb over an item several yards away and then close one eye and see if the thumb moves left or right of the object, then try the other eye. If the thumb stays over the object then you could be left/right eye dominence. Good luck in shooting.