Right handed...left eyed - Page 4

First Sgt · August 2nd, 2009, 05:00 PM

With a handgun, I am right handed/left eye dominant. I simply tilt the head a bit so the dominant (left) eye can focus on the sights. For those that have the right hand/left eye dominant situation, it might feel a bit awkward at first, but the improved visual acuity should provide for faster sight pickup and greater precision in sight alignment. My weapons use is primarily defensive handgun and I see absolutely no reason to start trying to retrain my eyes or make left side shooting my primary side. Stance does not affect what I do and how I perform. I have no problem with rifle using my right eye and closing my left. Also, no problems with shotgun as I keep both eyes open. JMHO.

subierex · August 2nd, 2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GunnyBunny

I'm left eye dominant too.

I shoot rifle and shotgun right handed and sight with my right eye.

I shoot handgun right handed keeping both eyes open, but sighting primarily with my left eye.

Practice, practice, practice!!

I'm the same, but I need more practice. I find myself closing my left eye sometimes. At least I still focus on the front sight.

IsaacMc · August 7th, 2009, 12:47 PM

I know that Nutnfancy is left-eyed. He's at youtube.com/nutnfancy. You might contact him. I think he does shoot right-eyed though when sighting.

moparoutlaw · August 7th, 2009, 09:11 PM

OK, I'm learning. As a lifelong right hander, I have found it impossible to sight a pistol in my right hand with my right eye. I am forced to close my left eye in order to see a target. My left eye on the other hand is great, I can keep both eyes open.

I talked to a friend who is a competition pistol shooter, and he explained that I, like himself, is cross dominant. He suggested that I (since I'm really just beginning to learn how to shoot pistols) learn to shoot left handed, that way both eyes are open.

Any other cross dominants out there? Share your experience...

Bricktop · August 7th, 2009, 09:42 PM

I shoot with my right hand, left eye dom. I use my left eye only. I have been shooting 1911s for 10 years, accurately!

SCbuckeye12 · August 7th, 2009, 09:56 PM

I'm a member of that club too, although I didn't know until I picked up a pistol for the first time. Shot long guns with no problem at all. I shoot pistols right handed and tilt my head until my left eye is in-line with the sight, focusing on the front sight of course. No problems hitting POA with both eyes open. Practice is key.

It's just my opinion of course but I try to avoid doing unnatural fixes like patches over the right eye or learning to shoot left handed to compensate. Train how you'll fight. The more you rely on your natural mechanics and training, the more successful the outcome.

Rexster · August 7th, 2009, 11:57 PM

I hold pistols front center, so there is no eye dominance issue, other than an occasional slight tilt of the head as necessary, and sometimes squinting the right eye just a bit. With handguns, I just don't understand the trouble folks have with cross-dominance. FWIW, I don't use a Weaver stance, that favors one side. Perhaps it is those folks using Weaver having the most problems?

cz2075bd · August 8th, 2009, 01:57 AM

I have this challenge. Nothing more emasculating than being told by the RSO that I'm "cross dominant and limp wristing". To non-gun people that must sound very different.

Not a problem with pistols but last night was at range with a friend using his AK-47 and Mossberg 500, and I was forced to use my right eye. I think I'll start doing some exercises to let this be more natural.

Pikachu711 · August 8th, 2009, 08:43 AM

Like you, I've always shot right handed & left eye dominant for sighting. I have practiced drawing my handgun and always seem to use my left eye for sighting. I've been this way for as long as I can recall.

Of course this changes when I fire long guns. In this case I use my right eye for sighting. Interesting!

mercop · August 8th, 2009, 04:49 PM

I have never known it to have been an issue in a real shooting. I shoot with both eyes open since you cannot close one eye under that much stress. Think about trying to close one eye during a traffic accident, not likely- George

August 2nd, 2009, 05:00 PM	#31
First Sgt Distinguished Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Florence, SC Posts: 1,856	With a handgun, I am right handed/left eye dominant. I simply tilt the head a bit so the dominant (left) eye can focus on the sights. For those that have the right hand/left eye dominant situation, it might feel a bit awkward at first, but the improved visual acuity should provide for faster sight pickup and greater precision in sight alignment. My weapons use is primarily defensive handgun and I see absolutely no reason to start trying to retrain my eyes or make left side shooting my primary side. Stance does not affect what I do and how I perform. I have no problem with rifle using my right eye and closing my left. Also, no problems with shotgun as I keep both eyes open. JMHO. __________________ Sometimes in life you have to stand your ground. It's a hard lesson to learn and even most adults don't get it, but in the end only I can be responsible for my life. If faced with any type of adversity, only I can overcome it. Waiting for someone else to take responsibility is a long fruitless wait.

August 7th, 2009, 09:11 PM	#34
moparoutlaw Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: U.S.A Posts: 47	Cross Dominant OK, I'm learning. As a lifelong right hander, I have found it impossible to sight a pistol in my right hand with my right eye. I am forced to close my left eye in order to see a target. My left eye on the other hand is great, I can keep both eyes open. I talked to a friend who is a competition pistol shooter, and he explained that I, like himself, is cross dominant. He suggested that I (since I'm really just beginning to learn how to shoot pistols) learn to shoot left handed, that way both eyes are open. Any other cross dominants out there? Share your experience...

August 7th, 2009, 09:42 PM	#35
Bricktop Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 44	me too I shoot with my right hand, left eye dom. I use my left eye only. I have been shooting 1911s for 10 years, accurately!

August 8th, 2009, 08:43 AM	#39
Pikachu711 VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,095	Like you, I've always shot right handed & left eye dominant for sighting. I have practiced drawing my handgun and always seem to use my left eye for sighting. I've been this way for as long as I can recall. Of course this changes when I fire long guns. In this case I use my right eye for sighting. Interesting! __________________ "80 Million People Can't Be Wrong."

August 8th, 2009, 04:49 PM	#40
mercop Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PA Posts: 608	I have never known it to have been an issue in a real shooting. I shoot with both eyes open since you cannot close one eye under that much stress. Think about trying to close one eye during a traffic accident, not likely- George __________________ 2010 MCS Calander http://docs.google.com/View?id=dgb7wjh3_299f8tncbcz

August 7th, 2009, 12:47 PM	#33
IsaacMc Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 21	I know that Nutnfancy is left-eyed. He's at youtube.com/nutnfancy. You might contact him. I think he does shoot right-eyed though when sighting.

August 7th, 2009, 09:56 PM	#36
SCbuckeye12 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 53	I'm a member of that club too, although I didn't know until I picked up a pistol for the first time. Shot long guns with no problem at all. I shoot pistols right handed and tilt my head until my left eye is in-line with the sight, focusing on the front sight of course. No problems hitting POA with both eyes open. Practice is key. It's just my opinion of course but I try to avoid doing unnatural fixes like patches over the right eye or learning to shoot left handed to compensate. Train how you'll fight. The more you rely on your natural mechanics and training, the more successful the outcome.

August 7th, 2009, 11:57 PM	#37
Rexster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SE Texas Posts: 895	I hold pistols front center, so there is no eye dominance issue, other than an occasional slight tilt of the head as necessary, and sometimes squinting the right eye just a bit. With handguns, I just don't understand the trouble folks have with cross-dominance. FWIW, I don't use a Weaver stance, that favors one side. Perhaps it is those folks using Weaver having the most problems?

August 8th, 2009, 01:57 AM	#38
cz2075bd Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 153	I have this challenge. Nothing more emasculating than being told by the RSO that I'm "cross dominant and limp wristing". To non-gun people that must sound very different. Not a problem with pistols but last night was at range with a friend using his AK-47 and Mossberg 500, and I was forced to use my right eye. I think I'll start doing some exercises to let this be more natural.

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