Shooting with both eyes open

[JohnFox]

My dad tried to teach me to shoot with both eyes open over 30 years ago. Just couldn't get the hang of it. So I have always shot with one eye closed. I've tried it a time or two in the last couple of years, but never really 'got it'. I figured if I could keep all the rounds inside the silhouette at 15 yards, and most of them at 20, I was good to go.

But now I'm going to the range regularly, since my wife just loves to shoot. She brought a solitary tear to my eye when she suggested that I might give her a S&W 38sp for her upcoming birthday. So we got ourselves a membership and now get out at least once a week. My accuracy has gone up with the practice, and it seemed I was shooting better than most people. So I was pleased.

The other night, I couldn't see well and for some reason decided to give shooting with both eyes yet one more chance. For some reason, I 'got it'. I could focus on the target, line up the sights, and ignore the 'ghost' sight. When I brought the target back, I had put 4 out of 6 rounds in the space of a silver dollar at 10 yards. That may not be much for some people, but I was just happy to get them in the 9 ring before.

Yesterday, I ran the target out to 20 yards, and put 5 out of 6 inside the 9 ring. Not IN the 9 ring, inside the 9 ring.

So .. two questions.

WTF!!!!! Is it really that I'm using both eyes now?? Does it really make that much of a difference?? Or have I just learned to 'become the gun' and am having a Zen experience.

Second question .. my wife was like 'OMG .. how are you doing that?'. I tried to explain it to her .. blank stare. So out in the parking lot, I had her point to an electrical box with her finger and tried to explain it to her. She saw two fingers. But she also saw two electrical boxes. Anyone have any pointers on how to teach this if it really works?? Obviously, my father couldn't. And since I don't understand why all the sudden I'm able to do it, I can't explain it either.

Can't wait to go back to see whether or not it was just luck....

[Forester]

I've tried it a few times. Never got the hang of it. Glad it is working out for you.

[Hunter]

I tried it, but I don't like it so I don't. I do practice with both eyes separately.

[willie]

I do it much of the time. Very helpful in low light!

Willie

[JohnFox]

I do it much of the time. Very helpful in low light!

Willie

I think this is why I was having so much trouble the first time, it was the first time we had visited the range after sunset. They have a large viewing window behind the shooters, with a window behind that. I was having a very difficult time controlling the elevation, I could see when the front sight was centered, but my shots kept going high because I couldn't tell where the top of the front sight was.

When I opened both eyes ... there everything was. I've noticed that I was taking far less time to get everything lined up with both eyes open.

I'm a computer geek, been one for 30 years and had just about every job in the computer field at least once. A successful computer geek has this need to understand how things work, some call it curiosity. It's why we get good at computers, we aren't smarter. Just more willing to nose around and figure things out. I get asked all the time 'my computer does this, how do I fix it' and usually reply that unless I can sit in front and explore, I can't tell them. Usually followed by 'I'm way to busy to come over, but if you want to leave it at my house for a few weeks I'll take a look at it.' So I appear helpful, but since most people aren't willing to be without their computer for a couple of weeks, very few take me up on it. But I digress....

A side effect of this is that I do much better at something if I know the 'why' as well as the 'how'.

Nosing around .. I've seen these comments a lot:

• Both open close range, one closed distance[/*:m:1wzcgf87]
• Both open pistol, one closed rifle[/*:m:1wzcgf87]
• People with glasses find it more difficult to shoot with both eyes open[/*:m:1wzcgf87]
• Some people shoot scopes with both eyes open, some do not. Those that do claim it makes it easier to maintain a visual on the target.[/*:m:1wzcgf87]
• People that are cross dominant (i.e. left eyed by right handed .. which is me) find it more difficult[/*:m:1wzcgf87]
• Both open improves depth perception and peripheral vision when shooting defensively[/*:m:1wzcgf87]
• Closing one eye causes the other eye to open the iris, i.e. let it more light. Covering one eye or using shooting glasses with an opaque lens prevents this.[/*:m:1wzcgf87]

I also read an interesting article about 'Troxler Effect'. This is what happens when you close one eye and stare at something ... your vision starts to fade from a lack of stimulation. I have noticed this at the eye doctor with my own vision, and have also heard my wife mention this when she shoots. Based on what I read in this article, keeping both eyes open may delay, decrease or eliminate this effect.

Just passing info along .. I still have no answers, but at least have some vague ideas.

[The Happy Kaboomer]

I'm right eye dominant and and right handed. I've always shot with both eyes open. Even with scoped rifles. If I shut my left eye half the world disappears!
BTW: My dad was right handed and left eye dominant. Tried to teach me at an early age to shut one eye when I aimed. Worked for him. Not for me.

[willie]

That is damned interesting (Troxler effect)! It could explain why the head of the squirel goes out of focus while you are looking down the iron sights and holding your breath. When I was young, I had that happen hundreds of times, but continued to hold the sights where the head should be, and they generally fell!

Willie

[Injunbro]

I'm right-handed but left-eye dominant. I learned it's not too hard to shoot handguns w/ open sights & both eyes open IF I shove the gun over in front of my left eye. W/ a scoped rifle it's impossible for me to shoot w/ both eyes open unless I shoot left-handed.

[WES DAKOTA]

WELL SHUCKS, I am ambidextrous, can shoot a pistol with either hand [ although for a lot longer time with my left hand...] and shoot with both eyes open using my left eye for shooting left handed, and my right eye while shooting right handed. I've done it this way since I was a kid [ a looooooooong time ago...!!!] and never gave it a moments thought

[willie]

WELL SHUCKS, I am ambidextrous

Can you use that word on the forum? Well in any case Rodney Dangerfield says it doubles your possibilities of a date on Saturday!

Willie