shooting question

with all the resident shooters here I figured this was a good a place as any. I am left eye dominant (as i've come to learn) however, I shoot with my right hand/eye...I noticed this when shooting pistol which isn't as big of a deal. For rifle however, any suggestions other than shooting lefty? For smaller calibers its not an issue for kickback but it is for larger (7.62 nato). Also, I am righty and handling my M4 with everything else on my kit is easier to function shooting with my right hand.

ideas/suggestions besides just switch to lefty shooting?

Ceesman762 wrote: Eye patch.

Only authorized if you can do a good pirate impersonation.

I actually discovered that I am left eye dominant a few months ago.  As I shot expert throughout my career with both the M16 and M4 (shooting right-handed/eyed) I guess it never was an issue.  If you aren't having problems, don't worry about it.

If you are having problems, I have no rifle-related suggestions but I know people who shoot pistols with right hand and left eye and it seems to work for them.


Edited by Mack - 10 May 2012 at 8:41pm

Back in the 'old' days we were taught to shoot rifles with both eyes open, you just sight with the dominant eye and spot with the other, both eyes open gives you more chance to spot movement through perifial vision. Sense shooting it is called, start at 100m, then out to 200 etc. With practice you will develope the skill. Same with pistols, I hold center or shoulder aligned with both eyes open.

I am left eye dominant, so my 'natural' position is left handed, I am right handed on most other abilities. I have developed the ability to be ambidextrious over time.

Shooting with an eye closed is incomprenehsible to me. It's all about having the peripherals open for situational awareness- be it tactical, or safety.

She did indeed.

To be honest I've never tried shooting with both eyes open. Granted, I've never been in a situation where I need peripheral knowledge. On the range, if anything I think that it cuts down on distraction by closing one eye. Plus, focusing on a scope reticle with two eyes open....I've never tried it. I'm not sure I could do it. I think I'll go test this theory right now.

Are you meant to focus on the reticule? I always thought you were meant to focus on the TARGET and the reticule should be visible as well, adjust to your eyes requirement.

I still don't know how to shoot a pistol. People always say "front sight - press!" but I can't figure out where I'm shooting the target if I do that.

KBK

Kayback wrote: Are you meant to focus on the reticule? I always thought you were meant to focus on the TARGET and the reticule should be visible as well, adjust to your eyes requirement. I still don't know how to shoot a pistol. People always say "front sight - press!" but I can't figure out where I'm shooting the target if I do that. KBK

Actually, I've got a shot tip card that has the following steps:

Body Alignment - Natural Point of Aim
Firm Handshake Grip
Firm in Shoulder
Eye Relief - Spot Weld No Shadow
Stare at Crosshairs - Target is a Blur
Slow Steady Pressure on Trigger to Rear
Normal Respiratory Pause
Follow Through

Where I got that- is an interesting story. My father in law had a guy come to the range where he works who carried that came card. The visitor was a relation (Nephew if I remember correctly) to a Marine Corps Sniper and those were the steps he used to teach this guy how to shoot. The guy let the cops at the range all make copies of it and my father in law did the same for me.

I guess it all boils down to what works for the individual shooter. I don't snap shoot, I don't need to worry about multiple target acquisition, so the one eye closed works well for me. As for where I focus on any given shot, I can say with a fair amount of certainty that I've done both. Crosshairs and target. I have had a fair amount of success in hitting what I aim at when I'm behind the trigger.

What's strange, as as I'm sitting here at the computer, I can't REALLY tell you what I do. I know it's mechanical when I'm target shooting, and it works.

I have 0 experience with pistols yet. Yeah, I've fired a few rounds here and there, but not enough to have set a procedure or adapted any kind of style.

Kayback wrote: That's the embarrassing thing. I shoot pistols almost every weekend. I'm just better with a rifle and shotgun. I'm barely average with a pistol. I mean after 10 years I managed to get promoted from Novice to Marksman in IDPA. KBK

Pistol is tough. Especially if you're shooting multiple calibers and multiple styles. For me, bone stock 1911 A-1 was the way to go. Tack driver extraordinaire with one of those in my hands. I'm pretty decent with a Mak, get most of them in the 10 ring on a silhouette target at maximum legal defense distance (21') and actually do pretty well out to about 50 yards. Put a wheel gun in my hand, a "nice" modern pistol, or a luger, and I can't hit the broad side of the barn from the inside.

Shotgun is too damned easy after years and years of paintball, principles are the same. Eyes open, point and shoot, lead your target. Rifles are generally far more accurate than the shooter ever will be, but the quirks of different systems cause different variations, but not nearly as wide ranging as pistols.

oldsoldier wrote: Understand the 8 steady hold factors go all to hell when you are shooting 'pop up shoot backs'. You ain't got that sort of time before you are 'noticed' and undue attention is sent your way. target.

Again, not something I've ever had to worry about. recreational shooting affords me the time to aim and squeeze just as I please.