Both eyes open? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

BBQLS1 · 03-09-2008, 08:42 PM

This may seem like a dumb question, but do people shoot with both eyes open?

Growing up, I always closed my weak eye and sighted with the strong eye. Now I think I'm reading stuff that suggests, I should learn to shoot with both eyes open (self defense).

Thoughts?

jmtgsx · 03-10-2008, 07:43 AM

Not a dumb question! Most accomplished in sport (action) & combat shooting try to keep both eyes open. If you are shooting from a bench to test loads or get the best score, It doesn't really matter. But for most shotgun, tactical rifle, and pistol sports, other than Bullseye, open both eyes.
This is a bit tougher for those of us that are cross-dominant (right handed with a left master eye). I have to adjust the back of the pistol about 2-3 degrees to the left and I shoot both trap and skeet and tactical rifle left handed. Otherwise I am looking at the front sight from 2 inches off the sight centerline instead of straight down the barrel.

Hope that makes sense.

The Knight Of Light · 03-10-2008, 08:19 AM

I shoot with both eyes open. It is necessary when shooting Action Pistol.

oldfart · 03-10-2008, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQLS1

This may seem like a dumb question, but do people shoot with both eyes open?

Growing up, I always closed my weak eye and sighted with the strong eye. Now I think I'm reading stuff that suggests, I should learn to shoot with both eyes open (self defense).

Thoughts?

Check the polling section, this was a recent poll. My conclusion and method is both open for self defense and short range shooting. Long range, may close non dominant eye.

I think the theory on self defense is you want peripheral vision, who knows if there is another BG off of your closed eye? Also, closing the eye is just another step - admittedly it should be second nature but another step none the less.

Since I walk around with both eyes open it's just more natural to shoot that way but thats just me, your mileage may vary.

**Loves2Shoot** · 03-10-2008, 09:45 AM

If you can see clearly with two eyes, yes, if you can't, no.

Some folks just can't see a clear sight picture with two eyes no matter how much they want to. There are many great action shooters that use 1 eye and many that use two, it all comes down to how you see.

waynes_world_45 · 03-10-2008, 11:35 AM

1-eyed here...never could get used to both eyes open on iron sites

now on my AR15 I use an eotech with both eyes open, until I need the magnifier then back to one eye

I use 2 eyes when sighting down my Benelli

Fish609 · 03-10-2008, 11:36 AM

I shoot better, faster with two eyes open. It is easier for me to see the target AND my front site at the same time. I would like to add however that I sometimes flinch and lose any advantage I would have had.

BBQLS1 · 03-10-2008, 02:37 PM

Thanks for the input. I guess I'll try a little more with both eyes, but I honestly don't see well with it. It might be because I haven't done it enough though.

dosei · 03-10-2008, 03:48 PM

It takes quite a bit of getting used to...it's very different from shooting "one eye" (for me at least). It's much easier for a noob to master shooting with both eyes open than for a seasoned shooter that has always closed one eye.

drawson · 03-11-2008, 05:35 PM

I taught myself to shoot both eye open many years ago using clear tape over the other eye lense. It would put it just out of focus enough for me to get used to it.

Another important like I learned was it is important to find out which eye is the strongest. For me it is the left eye even thought I'm right handed.

03-09-2008, 08:42 PM	#1
BBQLS1 XDTalk Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 60	Both eyes open? This may seem like a dumb question, but do people shoot with both eyes open? Growing up, I always closed my weak eye and sighted with the strong eye. Now I think I'm reading stuff that suggests, I should learn to shoot with both eyes open (self defense). Thoughts?

03-10-2008, 07:43 AM	#2
jmtgsx XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,441	Not a dumb question! Most accomplished in sport (action) & combat shooting try to keep both eyes open. If you are shooting from a bench to test loads or get the best score, It doesn't really matter. But for most shotgun, tactical rifle, and pistol sports, other than Bullseye, open both eyes. This is a bit tougher for those of us that are cross-dominant (right handed with a left master eye). I have to adjust the back of the pistol about 2-3 degrees to the left and I shoot both trap and skeet and tactical rifle left handed. Otherwise I am looking at the front sight from 2 inches off the sight centerline instead of straight down the barrel. Hope that makes sense. __________________ REDEEMED!!! Last edited by jmtgsx : 03-10-2008 at 07:47 AM.

03-10-2008, 08:19 AM	#3
The Knight Of Light XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 8,419 Blog Entries: 12	I shoot with both eyes open. It is necessary when shooting Action Pistol. __________________ No Matter Where You Go, There You Are. USPSA #A56661 What a great number!!! http://theknightoflight.blogspot.com/ Creator of TOP 'O' THE PAGE!!! Moose Fight

03-10-2008, 09:45 AM	#5
Loves2Shoot XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bend, OR Posts: 2,424	If you can see clearly with two eyes, yes, if you can't, no. Some folks just can't see a clear sight picture with two eyes no matter how much they want to. There are many great action shooters that use 1 eye and many that use two, it all comes down to how you see. __________________ www.SpringerPrecision.com

03-10-2008, 11:35 AM	#6
waynes_world_45 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL Posts: 189	1-eyed here...never could get used to both eyes open on iron sites now on my AR15 I use an eotech with both eyes open, until I need the magnifier then back to one eye I use 2 eyes when sighting down my Benelli __________________ "Production" Class Gun: XD9TAC - "Production Ready" from Canyon Creek http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...Guns/xdsog.jpg "Limited" Gun: STI 2011 in .40 built by Santurri Ltd. http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...Guns/sti-1.jpg "Carry" Gun: XD9SC - "Carry Pro" from SA Custom Shop "3-Gun" Rifle: Spike's Built AR15 w/Eotech & Aimpoint 3X "3-Gun" Shotgun: Benelli M1S90 Tactical DPMS Panther LR308 Remington 870 Wilson Combat Protector Colt Gold Cup and 14 more......

03-10-2008, 11:36 AM	#7
Fish609 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 679	I shoot better, faster with two eyes open. It is easier for me to see the target AND my front site at the same time. I would like to add however that I sometimes flinch and lose any advantage I would have had.

03-10-2008, 02:37 PM	#8
BBQLS1 XDTalk Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 60	Thanks for the input. I guess I'll try a little more with both eyes, but I honestly don't see well with it. It might be because I haven't done it enough though.

03-10-2008, 03:48 PM	#9
dosei XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 294	It takes quite a bit of getting used to...it's very different from shooting "one eye" (for me at least). It's much easier for a noob to master shooting with both eyes open than for a seasoned shooter that has always closed one eye. __________________ "Freedom is a system based on courage"

03-11-2008, 05:35 PM	#10
drawson XDTalk Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mountain Green, Utah Posts: 84	I taught myself to shoot both eye open many years ago using clear tape over the other eye lense. It would put it just out of focus enough for me to get used to it. Another important like I learned was it is important to find out which eye is the strongest. For me it is the left eye even thought I'm right handed. __________________ IPSC Master in Ltd 10, Ltd, & Open Range master @ Impact guns USPSA A-24264

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