I have to learn to handle/shoot rifles all over again.

Cupcake · October 4th, 2008, 07:56 PM

HOLY COW! What an amazing difference it makes to actually shoot with your dominant eye!

I'm a righty, with a dominant left eye. I've known this since cub scouts but I've always handled rifles as a righty anyway. Pistols I have managed to shoot with the correct eye, but holding a rifle on the left just feels wrong. That said, I'm a believer now and making the change. For the first time ever I tried shooting with the left eye and it was GOOD.

I was playing with some reloads and my AR and a 4x scope at 100 yards, and generally not being happy with my 2.25-3" groups. I was just having a tough time keeping in focus. Well, I decided to try something crazy and switched sides for giggles. It felt really weird holding the gun, and even weirder trying to operate the charging handle, bolt release, and mag release. But in spite of the weirdness, every group fired as a lefty was 1.5" or smaller. (I was firing sandbagged the whole time) Keeping in focus was not a problem at all, In fact, I don't think I've ever seen such a clear sight picture in my life.

So with this new tidbit of DUH! wisdom, I have vowed to only handle longarms as a lefty from this day forward. It's gonna be quite a change, but I can't pass on the benefits. Can't believe this took me 20 years of shooting to figure out.

HITCH KING · October 4th, 2008, 08:10 PM

Funny that you would post this I too and right handed and left eye dom. I bought a BB rifle a couple of weeks ago and was teaching my 7 year old son how to shoot. I placed on the scope and for the first time handled a rifle It felt weird to hold left handed and shoot. groups were better.

sniper58 · October 4th, 2008, 08:21 PM

Do whatever it takes. I'm glad you re-discovered the joy of shooting well! Be patient with yourself and practice, practice and practice some more!

SIGguy229 · October 4th, 2008, 08:54 PM

Have you thought about getting an AR from Stag? They make'em for Leftys (-handed people, not nutroots)

Cupcake · October 4th, 2008, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIGguy229

Have you thought about getting an AR from Stag? They make'em for Leftys (-handed people, not nutroots)

It has crossed my mind today, but $$$ reasons wouldn't allow that currently. Anyway, I'm thinking that if lots and lots of military personnel have gotten by with the standard issue, then I should be able to adapt.

QKShooter · October 4th, 2008, 11:09 PM

You might want to find somebody that has an EoTech mounted on their firearm and try one.

Since with a correctly used EoTech the shooter does not "look through" the unit at all.

You just look at the target field in front of you with both eyes open and the reticle superimposes itself out at the target plane.

For sure you would have to re-zero the EoTech but, once you had it set for you and your eyes then accurate shooting should be a breeze without you having to start shooting lefty.

They are not cheap so that is why I'm suggesting that you find somebody that already has one and will let you test it out for yourself.

ICTsnub · October 5th, 2008, 12:50 AM

Welcome to the dark side!

Cupcake · October 5th, 2008, 09:01 AM

That might be an interesting idea, QK...OTOH, the AR isn't the only rifle I shoot, so maybe I'm still better off learning to be a lefty.

ccw9mm · October 5th, 2008, 10:15 AM

I shoot lefty but am right-eye dominant. I've developed a standard tilt to the gun (pistol or rifle) to accommodate, but it's always on the left-hand side. Had a Stag 15 3L (lefty) for a time. Have a couple of lever-action rifles, too. Being able to remain lefty but right-eye helps me keep everything straight and accurate. That shrinks the selection, of course, but it means I'm able to (reasonably) competently use each piece. Wouldn't have it any other way.

ldp4570 · October 5th, 2008, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cupcake

It has crossed my mind today, but $$$ reasons wouldn't allow that currently. Anyway, I'm thinking that if lots and lots of military personnel have gotten by with the standard issue, then I should be able to adapt.

Be very careful about getting a left hand AR. I'm a lefty, retired US Army, and have been shooting left handed since my first .22. I recently tried a LH AR at the range and had lots of trouble with it. I guess my ability to adapt to the right-handed world got the better of me. The only true left handed guns I own are a 700DXLH in 06, and a 581 in LH both Remington's. Everything else I had to learn.

October 4th, 2008, 07:56 PM	#1
Cupcake VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,996	I have to learn to handle/shoot rifles all over again. HOLY COW! What an amazing difference it makes to actually shoot with your dominant eye! I'm a righty, with a dominant left eye. I've known this since cub scouts but I've always handled rifles as a righty anyway. Pistols I have managed to shoot with the correct eye, but holding a rifle on the left just feels wrong. That said, I'm a believer now and making the change. For the first time ever I tried shooting with the left eye and it was GOOD. I was playing with some reloads and my AR and a 4x scope at 100 yards, and generally not being happy with my 2.25-3" groups. I was just having a tough time keeping in focus. Well, I decided to try something crazy and switched sides for giggles. It felt really weird holding the gun, and even weirder trying to operate the charging handle, bolt release, and mag release. But in spite of the weirdness, every group fired as a lefty was 1.5" or smaller. (I was firing sandbagged the whole time) Keeping in focus was not a problem at all, In fact, I don't think I've ever seen such a clear sight picture in my life. So with this new tidbit of DUH! wisdom, I have vowed to only handle longarms as a lefty from this day forward. It's gonna be quite a change, but I can't pass on the benefits. Can't believe this took me 20 years of shooting to figure out. __________________ Sixto for President!

October 4th, 2008, 08:21 PM	#3
sniper58 Distinguished Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,244	Do whatever it takes. I'm glad you re-discovered the joy of shooting well! Be patient with yourself and practice, practice and practice some more! __________________ Tim BE PREPARED - Noah didn't build the Ark when it was raining! The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Thomas Jefferson ________ NRA Life Member

October 4th, 2008, 08:54 PM	#4
SIGguy229 VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kabul, Afghanistan Posts: 2,272	Have you thought about getting an AR from Stag? They make'em for Leftys (-handed people, not nutroots) __________________ Patriotic dissent is a luxury of those protected by better men than they Sacrifice: Congress thinks having to stay late to vote is sacrifice. Ask the Sailor, Soldier, Airman, or Marine meeting his child for the first time what sacrifice means martyr is a fancy name for crappy fighter

October 4th, 2008, 11:09 PM	#6
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 23,487	You might want to find somebody that has an EoTech mounted on their firearm and try one. Since with a correctly used EoTech the shooter does not "look through" the unit at all. You just look at the target field in front of you with both eyes open and the reticle superimposes itself out at the target plane. For sure you would have to re-zero the EoTech but, once you had it set for you and your eyes then accurate shooting should be a breeze without you having to start shooting lefty. They are not cheap so that is why I'm suggesting that you find somebody that already has one and will let you test it out for yourself. __________________ Liberty/Tyranny ___________________________ Ain't That A Shame! Be Happy! *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OG3u...1&feature=fvwp*

October 5th, 2008, 09:01 AM	#8
Cupcake VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,996	That might be an interesting idea, QK...OTOH, the AR isn't the only rifle I shoot, so maybe I'm still better off learning to be a lefty. __________________ Sixto for President!

October 4th, 2008, 08:10 PM	#2
HITCH KING Distinguished Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Nassau, NY(Long Island) Posts: 1,788	Funny that you would post this I too and right handed and left eye dom. I bought a BB rifle a couple of weeks ago and was teaching my 7 year old son how to shoot. I placed on the scope and for the first time handled a rifle It felt weird to hold left handed and shoot. groups were better.

October 5th, 2008, 12:50 AM	#7
ICTsnub Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 615	Welcome to the dark side!

October 5th, 2008, 10:15 AM	#9
ccw9mm VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Oregon USA Posts: 8,406	I shoot lefty but am right-eye dominant. I've developed a standard tilt to the gun (pistol or rifle) to accommodate, but it's always on the left-hand side. Had a Stag 15 3L (lefty) for a time. Have a couple of lever-action rifles, too. Being able to remain lefty but right-eye helps me keep everything straight and accurate. That shrinks the selection, of course, but it means I'm able to (reasonably) competently use each piece. Wouldn't have it any other way. __________________ Your best weapon is your brain. Don't leave home without it. Thoughts: Justifiable self defense. Explain: How does disarming victims reduce the number of victims? Deal with evil through strength. Affirm the good in Man through trust. NRA. GOA. OFF.

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